Choosing the right tutor for your child is a big decision. We've answered the most common questions from Billericay & Wickford parents below. Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch—we're always happy to help.
Common signs include: falling behind in class, losing confidence in a subject, homework battles, avoiding schoolwork, upcoming exams (SATs, 11+, GCSEs), or simply wanting to get ahead. If you're wondering whether tutoring could help, our free assessment will show you exactly where your child is and where support would make the biggest difference.
Book a free assessment (no pressure, no obligation)
We spend about 60 minutes getting to know your child and assessing their current skills in English and/or Maths. It's relaxed and friendly—not a formal test. Afterward, we'll explain:
There's zero pressure to commit. Many parents find the assessment valuable even if they decide not to proceed with tutoring right away.
The best time is always now. The earlier you address learning gaps, the easier they are to close. That said, common starting points include:
Don't wait until things get worse or exams are weeks away. The sooner we start, the more progress we can make.
It depends on your child's starting point and goals. Most students attend for at least one academic year to see significant, lasting improvement. Here's what's typical:
We reassess regularly and adjust the plan as your child progresses. You're not locked into a long contract—just two weeks' notice if you want to stop.
Our core subjects are English, Maths, and Science. We also offer specialised preparation for:
All lessons focus on building understanding, not just memorizing techniques. We want your child to genuinely "get it," not just pass a test.
It's the best of both worlds. We teach in small groups of up to 4 students with one qualified teacher, but every child works on their own personalised learning plan.
Why this works better:
Some children feel overwhelmed by constant 1-to-1 attention. Our small group format creates a calm, supportive environment where they can think, work, and ask questions comfortably.
70 minutes. Within each session, your child completes a variety of short, engaging activities (not just worksheets!) designed to keep focus and motivation high. The mix includes computer-based work, written tasks, problem-solving, and games—all carefully planned to meet their individual learning targets.
No! While we have our own online learning platform (which is brilliant), we use a flexible mix of activities:
The variety keeps children engaged and ensures they're developing skills in all formats—not just screen-based learning.
Yes, but it's manageable. Homework consolidates what they've learned in the session and should take no more than 30 minutes. It's designed to be completed independently (no parent help needed!), and we use incentives to keep it stress-free.
We know many children already have school homework, so we keep ours short, targeted, and achievable. The goal is to reinforce learning, not add to homework battles.
You have both options. Most families prefer in-centre sessions (Billericay or Wickford) because it creates a focused learning environment away from home distractions. But we also offer live online tutoring through our bespoke platform.
Online is great for:
The quality is the same either way—same qualified teachers, same personalised plans, same great results. And you can switch between in-centre and online as needed.
We're open 6 days a week (Monday-Saturday) with sessions running at various times, including after school and weekend mornings. We do our best to find a time that works for your family.
Availability changes based on demand, so it's best to call us (01277 621515 for Billericay or 01268 762815 for Wickford) to discuss current options.
Yes! We're open 48 weeks of the year, closing only for:
During half terms, we continue with normal sessions. During summer holidays, we switch to morning sessions so learning doesn't lose momentum over the long break.
Consistent weekly attendance is crucial for progress, which is why we keep sessions running year-round (with just 4 weeks off).
Yes—every single tutor is a qualified, experienced teacher. We don't use university students, volunteers, or hobbyists. Our tutors have:
They understand not just what to teach, but how children learn. That expertise makes all the difference.
Absolutely. We teach children with a wide range of additional needs, including:
It's important we understand your child's specific needs so we can create the right learning environment for them. During the free assessment, we'll discuss their needs with you and explain how we'll adapt our approach. Every child deserves to have their needs met, and we work closely with parents to make that happen.
We track everything and keep you updated. Here's how you'll see progress:
Most families see measurable improvements within a few weeks—and we'll show you the data to prove it. If progress isn't happening, we adjust the approach immediately.
We're very thoughtful about matching children with the right tutor based on their personality, learning style, and needs. But if something isn't working, just tell us. We can adjust the approach or, if needed, move your child to a different tutor. The relationship matters, and we want your child to feel comfortable and supported.
70-minute sessions start at £36. This is for small group sessions (up to 4 students) with a qualified teacher.
Why we're worth it:
The true value isn't in the session itself—it's in helping your child develop lifelong skills, confidence, and love for learning. That's an investment that pays off for years.
No hidden fees. The session price includes all learning materials, resources, and access to our online platform. You won't be asked to buy textbooks or pay registration fees.
The only exception is if your child is preparing for 11+ and you'd like to purchase additional practice books to use at home—but this is completely optional.
No. We don't believe in trapping families into long contracts. All we ask is two weeks' notice if you want to stop. That's it.
Most families stay with us for at least a full academic year because that's when you see the biggest transformation, but you're free to leave whenever you need to.
Life happens—we get it. If you let us know in advance (holidays, illness, school events, etc.), we'll happily reschedule to another day or time during the same week or nearby weeks.
If your child can't make it to the centre, they can log in from home at the same time and join the session online.
If we don't hear from you and your child doesn't attend, the session automatically becomes a DIY revision activity they can complete at home in their own time (accessible through the portal).
Many families do have multiple children attending, and we're happy to discuss options. Get in touch to discuss your family's needs.
We don't offer in-home tutoring. All sessions take place either in our Billericay or Wickford learning centres, or online via our platform.
Our centres are specifically designed for optimal learning—minimal distractions, all the resources and tools we need, and a focused environment where your child can concentrate fully. Home environments often have too many distractions (siblings, pets, devices, etc.) that make effective tutoring difficult.
If travel is an issue, our live online tutoring provides the same quality teaching from home without the centre visit.
Yes—it's one of our specialties. We provide comprehensive 11+ preparation covering all four papers:
Our approach focuses on building genuine understanding and problem-solving skills, not just drilling past papers. We want your child to think like a selective school student, not just memorize techniques.
We also offer:
We've helped hundreds of local children gain places at grammar schools across Essex.
Ideally, start in Year 4 or early Year 5 (12-18 months before the exam). This gives us time to:
Some families start later (late Year 5 or even early Year 6), and we absolutely can help—but the earlier you start, the less pressured your child will feel and the better their results tend to be.
If you're unsure whether your child is ready or needs 11+ support, book a free assessment and we'll give you an honest opinion.
The skills they develop are valuable regardless of the outcome. 11+ preparation builds problem-solving, critical thinking, exam technique, and confidence—all of which benefit your child throughout their academic career, whether they attend grammar school or not.
We've seen many students who didn't pass the 11+ go on to excel at their local secondary schools and achieve outstanding GCSE results because of the foundation we built together.