Useful Information & Terms and Conditions
Tutoring Sessions
My term time tutoring sessions last between 60-90 mins depending on what has been agreed and availability. Sessions will also be available during most school holidays. Sessions are payable termly, in advance or weekly and payment can be made by cash. Once payment has been made, refunds will not be issued for any missed sessions but I will make details of the work missed available so that you can work through the main elements of the session content with your child at home if you wish. I reserve the right to add a £10 ‘late payment’ fee that are past their due date.
If you need to cancel a session after it has been scheduled, then I always appreciate as much notice as possible. If a booked session is not attended, and 48 hours advance notice of non-attendance is given, full payment for the cost of the session will be incurred.
I endeavour to keep my own requests to change booked session times to an absolute minimum, but there may be occasions when I need to request that we make an alternative arrangement. I will always give you as much notice as possible and I will always offer an alternative day or time for a session if this situation arises.
Location
My tutoring sessions take place at my house. My address will be provided once the registration form has been completed.
Practice books/Homework
For my Birmingham and Walsall Grammar Test pupils, I ask that specific practice books are purchased and that you support your child as they work regularly from these at home. I will give guidance on the use of these books as our sessions progress. I ask that all practice books be bought to each session please so that I can keep track of the work that is being completed at home. They will be expected to complete homework tasks each week.
For my GCSE English pupils, I ask that a copy of the text is bought for you to analyse thoroughly. As for GCSE Maths, I will ask you to purchase practice books for you to revise from at home. I will give guidance on the use of these books as our sessions progress. I ask that all practice books be bought to each session please so that I can keep track of the work that is being completed at home. They will be expected to complete homework tasks each week.
Notice period
In the event that you wish to end our tutoring arrangement, I ask for a notice period equal to the remaining time until the beginning of the next school term.
Session arrival and departure
Please arrive promptly for the start of each session. Please collect promptly at the end of each session. I will not be available until the agreed start time of our session, although you are most welcome to wait on my driveway if you do arrive early. If you arrive late for a session then that session will still end at our previously agreed time. If you child will be arriving independently, please ensure that they do not arrive early as I will not be available to welcome them until the agreed start time of our session. If you intend to allow your child to leave the session independently, please send me an email informing me that this is your intention. If your child will not be collected by a parent at the end of a session then you must let me know in advance of the session.
Feedback
At the end of every lesson, verbal feedback will be provided and followed with a brief feedback email either the evening of the session or the following day.
If you prefer to discuss any queries, concerns or general progress of your child’s academic performance not in front of other children and parents within earshot, then please contact me via email, phone or text message.
I hope that the information I provide each week, either verbally and in my feedback email, will keep you abreast of your child’s achievements and progress. However, if, at any point in the year, you wish to discuss any aspect of your child’s progress with me in more detail, please make contact and I will be happy to address any individual issues, concerns or questions.
Equipment/Reading books
Your child needs to bring an A4 notepad and a folder to keep all their work in. All other stationery and equipment will be provided by the tuition centre. I do prefer to teach using a range of practical activities, games, through discussion so these resources will be provided in the lesson.
Each lesson your child will be given a book of their choice to read at home. This book must be handled with care and returned to the tutor when finished reading. If reading books are damaged or lost, TLC reserve the right to charge you the full cost of the book.
Absences/Cancellations
If your child is unwell, s/he will be pardoned to miss the session. S/he will be required to reschedule the lesson for another time when s/he is well. Cancelled/missed sessions are non-refundable. You will still be charged if a lesson is cancelled by yourselves less than 24 hours’ notice with the exception of extreme emergency.
If there are any planned holidays, this is completely acceptable, however, notice must be given at least 2 weeks in advance.
The Learning Centre will notify you of any dates when the centre is closed. On these dates, the sessions will not take place, however, if preferred, we can reschedule for another time. This can be decided closer to the time. No payment will be taken on the dates that we are closed.
You will not be charged if I am ill, however, I will offer the opportunity to reschedule the lesson to another suitable time for you.
Grade outcome
The Learning Centre do not hold responsibility for the outcome of your child’s grade/score. We can only support you to achieve the desired outcome however, it is ultimately up to the child on the test day.
Registering for the Grammar Test
It must be noted that it’s the parent’s responsibility for registering and submitting applications for your child’s place for the Grammar test. The usual procedure is to contact the school of your choice over the phone and request a prospectus and an application form or you may download all the information online and submit it online. The grammar School application form should be completed and returned; this must be done before the cut-off date for the consortium. All consortiums have their own cut-off date. Please note that if the schools do not receive the applications before the cut-off date your child will not be able to participate in the 11 Plus examinations.
You will also need to fill in a local Education Authority (LEA) school form (this is supplied by your child’s current school or can be submitted online). This form is to advise the LEA that you are considering sending your child to a grammar school. This form is as important as the grammar school application form – if you do not fill one of these in, even if your child passes the test a place will not be made available at the grammar school.