Simply, one tutor works with one client at a time. Your Step Ahead private tutor will provide individualised teaching tailored to your child’s specific needs.
Following an initial, in-depth assessment of the client, a Step Ahead tutor will be allocated based on relevant experience and subject knowledge. A good personality match will also be a feature in choosing the tutor. Above all, we understand it is important for the student to feel comfortable, stimulated and, quite simply, to like their tutor. The tutor then provides carefully planned, structured lessons in a suitable environment.
The benefit of this level of personal attention in teaching is invaluable. Talent and enthusiasm is brought to the fore by expert tuition, while problems or study challenges can be addressed with patience and understanding. It’s no surprise that Step Ahead students experience soaring confidence after just a few sessions.
What Are The Key “STEPS” in Your Process?
Initial telephone discussion – parent/client contacts STEP AHEAD – our Director
Parent/client may then wish to contact previous or current clients by telephone
(i) Appointment of appropriate tutor by Director (normally within 24 hours)
OR
(ii) Meeting with and assessment by Director (and, on occasions, specialist tutor) – see “Assessments”
We have many Books of Testimonials available for parents or potential clients to peruse
Selection of appropriate tutor (after assessment)
THEN:
1: Initial (normally one and a half-hour) session with selected tutor
2: One-to-one private tuition – face-to-face or by Skype or FaceTime – on weekly or fortnightly basis (1-2hrs per session)
3: Flexibility in number, length and frequency of sessions
4: Term-time and holiday options
5: Building self-esteem/confidence
6: Encouraging study habits and setting regular homework/home study
7: Parental involvement
8: On-going link with STEP AHEAD and Director
Why Is Continuity And Consistency Essential For Tutoring?
It cannot be stressed enough how important the continuity of working on a regular basis both with a tutor and in private study can be to the progress made by youngsters. This is equally true of the consistency of approach gained by having the same tutor in place over a sustained period of time.
If a session on a particular day has to be cancelled we encourage both the tutor and client to re-arrange that session for another day during the same week in order to maintain continuity and progress.
Where Is The Private Tutoring Done?
Clients have a choice of (i) the tutor coming to the client’s own home or relative’s home or (ii) of going to the tutor’s home or (iii) through SKype or FaceTime.
Can More Than One Client Be Tutored At The Same Time?
Although almost all of our work is with individuals, there are occasions when a tutor might consider working with two children together who are in the same family or two friends of a similar age/ability.
What age range do you cater for?
We tutor children of primary school age, young people of secondary school age, older teenagers, college or university attendees, young adults, and indeed any adults who believe that learning is a life-long continuous activity.
What Is The Length of A Session and How Many Must I Take?
One of our key features is flexibility – but for most clients, regular and consistent sessions, usually weekly, or at the very least fortnightly, have proved to be one of the main keys to our success enjoyed over the past decade. In most cases, and especially for primary through to standard grade pupils, we recommend a minimum of four hours of tutoring to be carried out each month.
It should be realised that this does not necessarily mean four sessions of one hour each. Many tutors have one and a half hour sessions per week – and carry out four of these per month; others fulfill the requirement by doing three sessions, each of one and a half hours; others do one two hour session and two or three sessions each of one hour. It is dependent primarily on the needs of the client, but allows flexibility for both (i) the client, should (s)he be ill or have a reasonable reason to alter a session, and (ii) the tutor, should (s)he need to miss a session due to a meeting, holiday, illness, and still ensures that the minimum is carried out.
Of course, we are aware that, in certain circumstances, there are sound educational reasons why this expectation might not be met, and a greater flexibility can be allowed, for example, in the following:
older pupils, who, in any case, tend to operate only up to May each year, who are being encouraged to become more independent – and may not require the four hours each month;
during times when prelims or exams are taking place and a client wishes to concentrate on other subjects;
at specific holiday times of the year, although judicious juggling can allow for the minimum still to be achieved.
There is clear evidence that continuity and consistency of sessions is important in making progress. For that reason, we encourage tutoring to be continued in all school holiday periods, especially the long summer break.
What Is The Policy Regarding Homework/Home Study?
Tutors will give appropriate work to be done at home and it is hoped that parents will take an interest in this in order to see their youngsters back up work done during sessions.
As many parents indicate that their youngsters require help in building up study habits and developing a weekly system of study, our tutors often help in advising and encouraging.
What Kind of Commitment Do You Think Is Appropriate?
We do not expect you to commit to anything more than one session in advance, although we are confident that you will appreciate the value of our services and will wish to be looking at getting the benefit of regular sessions over a few weeks or months.
We hope that common courtesies can be observed in consulting with and notifying each other in regards to intentions and plans. We appreciate that (last-minute) emergencies can happen, but it seems reasonable to expect clients (or tutors for that matter) to let their tutor (or client) know as soon as possible if a session is to be cancelled or postponed; in the event of no or inadequate notification from a client, we consider that the tutor has the right to be given the fee for the session.
We consider that 24 hours notice of cancellation by a client to a tutor (this equally applies by a tutor to a client) should be the bare minimum (unless exceptional circumstances occur) to save inconvenience and wasted time by busy tutors. Clients should ensure that you have and retain your client’s telephone number – and emergency telephone number.
What Equipment/Resources Are Required?
Clients are encouraged to have their own clip file, A4 paper and pencil case. A dictionary is useful for those studying English. Many youngsters prefer to have their own text and reading books from which they can work throughout the week. Tutors will advise parents/clients which books they would like the client to have available. Often tutors use work-sheets, past papers and other material that they themselves provide.
What Is The Position regarding Liabilities?
STEP AHEAD Tutoring and Educational Services is not responsible for any loss, injury, accidental damage, personal indictment or any other claim whatsoever, as regards tutors, clients or other persons, arising in connection with any STEP AHEAD tutoring, service or activity, including assignments, recommendations and travelling. Tutors, teachers and other professional persons are recommended to clients on the basis of the information obtained in good faith about their professional qualifications and experience and personal character.