FAQs

Choosing between small group and 1:1 lessons depends on your child’s individual needs. Small group lessons are ideal for children who benefit from social interaction and collaborative learning. This setting often helps boost confidence as children see their peers tackling similar challenges. Furthermore, small group lessons provide an affordable way for parents to access high-quality support for their children. On the other hand, 1:1 lessons are better suited to children who need personalised attention or thrive in a quieter, more focused environment. For example, if your child has specific learning difficulties or requires support in a particular area, 1:1 sessions may be the most effective way to help them progress. At Hitchin Tutoring Co. we are happy to discuss your child’s needs and recommend the best option for their success.

Here is an overview of our lesson costs and what each session includes so you can choose the option that best suits your child’s needs:

All small group classes are booked in 6-week blocks (corresponding to each half-term). We recommend that parents book a 1:1 placement session before their child joins a small group.

To begin the process, get in touch. Once we receive your enquiry, we will arrange an initial consultation to discuss your child’s needs and goals. For small group classes, we recommend that you book a 1:1 placement session where we assess their current skills and identify suitable targets before they join one of our small groups. Please note that our lessons run in half-termly blocks, so you may need to wait until the next block starts in line with the school holidays. For 1:1 lessons, we can agree on a mutually convenient time and location, and these can begin immediately.

To ensure the best outcomes, all sessions are delivered in a quiet and supportive village hall in Offley, Hitchin, allowing your child to feel comfortable and ready to learn in a suitable environment. Presently, 1:1 lessons are delivered in your home or the tutor’s home (though parents and carers are asked to attend the sessions offered at the tutor’s home).

At Hitchin Tutoring Co. we support children aged 4 to 11, covering the crucial early and primary school years. Our lessons are tailored to meet the developmental and educational needs of each age group:

If your child is outside this age range or has specific needs, please get in touch with us to discuss how we can help.

There are several signs that your child might benefit from tutoring. These include:

• Homeschooled children: If your child is homeschooled and you want to ensure they are progressing with their peers, tutoring can provide additional structure and expertise. It can also offer enrichment opportunities to further their learning in specific areas.
• Struggling with specific skills: If your child finds it challenging to keep up with reading, writing, spelling, or comprehension tasks, they may benefit from targeted support.
• Falling behind in school: Teachers may express concerns about your child working below age-related expectations or struggling to grasp key concepts.
• Low confidence: If your child feels frustrated or avoids reading aloud or writing tasks, tutoring can help rebuild their confidence.
• Homework difficulties: Frequent struggles with completing homework or confusion about what is being taught may indicate the need for additional guidance.
• Desire for extra challenge: Tutoring is not just for children who struggle; it can also support those who want to extend their skills and tackle more advanced material.

A typical session at Hitchin Tutoring Co. is designed to be engaging, structured, and tailored to your child’s unique learning needs. Here’s what you can expect:

• Warm-up and preview: We begin each session with a recap of the previous lesson to ensure continuity and reinforce learning. This might include reviewing spelling words, phonics sounds, or reading tasks.
• Targeted new learning activities: The main part of the session focuses on specific skills your child needs to develop. We use a variety of multisensory methods, all designed to help reinforce learning in an enjoyable and memorable way.
• Focused support: Throughout the session, the tutor provides individualised attention, offering encouragement, guidance, and feedback to ensure your child fully understands the concepts.
• Review: Before the session ends, we briefly review what has been covered and assign relevant tasks for home practice. These might include reading exercises, writing prompts, or spelling practice to help reinforce the skills learned.

We offer optional practice activities to complement the sessions and provide further opportunities for your child to reinforce what they have learned. These activities are not compulsory but available for those who want extra practice. They may include reading exercises, spelling tasks, writing prompts, or speaking and listening activities, all designed to support your child’s progress in a fun and manageable way. These tasks aim to enhance the skills covered during the session and can be completed at your child’s pace. Parents are encouraged to support their children with these activities, but they are intended to be an additional resource, not an obligation.

If your child cannot attend a lesson due to illness, holidays, or other commitments, I will email you the class tasks to ensure your child can stay on track and maintain the pace of learning at home. This allows them to continue progressing and remain aligned with the group’s learning objectives. We do not offer rescheduling or make-up lessons, but providing the tasks ensures your child does not miss key learning opportunities. 

After you have booked your child onto one of our small groups, or after we have scheduled a 1:1 lesson, you will receive an invoice from Hitchin Tutoring Co. Payments must be made upfront before the 6-week block begins for group classes to secure your child’s place. For 1:1 lessons, payment must be made 48 hours (2 days) before each session. Detailed payment instructions will be provided upon booking.

Our approach to teaching children with additional needs, such as dyslexia, is inclusive, supportive, and tailored to each child’s unique strengths and challenges. Our lead tutor, a Specialist Teacher of Literacy-Related Difficulties with over 10 years of experience running inclusive classrooms, ensures that all lessons are dyslexia-friendly and designed to build confidence and success in learning. With a Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties, our lead tutor is skilled in identifying and addressing barriers to learning effectively. Lessons are structured, multisensory, and individualised, ensuring that every child receives the right support and challenge to meet their needs. Through this approach, we aim to create a positive, empowering learning environment where all children can thrive. 

If a child has high behavioural needs, we may ask parents to stay and support their child during lessons to ensure a positive and productive learning experience for everyone. Our lead tutor is fully trained in safeguarding and behaviour management protocols, providing all children with a safe and inclusive environment. This commitment to safety and well-being underpins every aspect of our teaching approach.

We ask that you stay with your child during their first lesson for small group lessons.  You are welcome to bring a book and enjoy a cup of tea while they settle into the new environment. You are not required to stay for future sessions, provided there are no behavioural or safeguarding concerns. If your child completes a 6-week block and you book them onto another 6-week block, you do not need to stay with them during the first lesson of the second block. However, we reserve the right to request that parents remain with their child if necessary. 

For 1:1 teaching, the requirement varies depending on the location. If the lesson takes place in the tutor’s home, a parent must stay during the session. We encourage parents to join in these sessions! If the lesson is conducted in your home, we are happy to work 1:1 with your child, but a parent or guardian must be in the house throughout the session.

We understand that children’s needs can evolve. If you feel your child would benefit from a change in their learning setting, whether moving from a small group to 1:1 lessons or vice versa, we are happy to discuss this with you. We can assess their progress and adjust the support they receive to ensure they continue making the best progress possible.

All materials will be provided, but if your child has specific resources or learning tools they prefer (such as a specific reading book or writing implement), they are welcome to bring them to our lessons. 

At Hitchin Tutoring Co. we believe in keeping parents informed and involved in their child’s learning journey. After lesson 3 and lesson 6, the tutor will provide feedback on your child’s learning journey. Occasionally, additional ad-hoc feedback will be shared with you to detail your child’s achievements and next steps. We encourage open communication, so if you have concerns or questions about your child’s development, feel free to reach out.

Currently, we do not offer sibling discounts. However, we periodically review our pricing and may offer promotions or discounts based on availability or other factors. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to receive any updates on offers!