Question 1

What subjects and exams do you offer tutoring for?

Accepted Answer

We offer expert tutoring in English, maths, SATs, 11+ exams, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and foundation skills, as well as comprehensive GCSE preparation.

Question 2

What age groups and year groups do you support?

Accepted Answer

We happily support children individually and in small groups from Year 2 through to Year 8. Additionally, we have specialist teachers who provide tailored English and maths support from Year 9 right up to A-level. Our alternative provision also welcomes students up to the age of 20, ensuring that we can help learners at every stage of their educational journey.

Question 3

How do you assess a child’s needs before starting tutoring?

Accepted Answer

We begin with a detailed conversation with parents and thoroughly review any existing reports about the child. As we start tutoring, we get to know the child’s unique strengths and needs, continuously assessing progress and adapting our approach. Many of our children’s school teachers give us feedback on areas that children need to work with also. We always keep parents informed and involved, ensuring that our teaching is responsive and effective.

Question 4

Do you offer one-to-one and small group sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do! While we specialise in small group sessions where every child feels valued, supported, and appropriately challenged, we’re also happy to provide one-to-one support when needed. In the summer and Easter holidays, more sessions are available to suit the needs of your child.

Question 5

Are sessions available online, in-person, or both?

Accepted Answer

We offer both online and in-person sessions, tailored to suit the needs and location of each student. This flexibility means we can support children locally—such as in Alderbury—or further afield, including places like Abu Dhabi!

Question 6

What qualifications and experience do your tutors have?

Accepted Answer

All our tutors are DBS checked and hold qualified teacher status, with at least five years of teaching experience within schools. Many also have additional qualifications, such as SENCO status, Master’s degrees, and specialist dyslexia teaching credentials.

Question 7

Where are sessions held?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are held at Nicola’s home in Landford, at Nomansland Reading Room, in students’ homes, and online—wherever is most convenient and comfortable for you!

Question 8

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Terms and Conditions – Forest 1st Tutoring

Payment, Cancellations and Timekeeping
Payment is by bank transfer before the lesson takes place or on the day. Cash is welcomed for all face-to-face lesson on the day.
 We will be asking for a weekly commitment for sessions for each half term a week before sessions begin. By booking a regular, guaranteed term time session you agree to attend and to pay for all available sessions at your chosen time. If there is a date you cannot do, then please let us know before the half term starts and pay for the sessions that you can do accordingly. 
Please send all correspondence regarding payment to Hilary at admin@forest-1st-tutoring.co.uk

If you cancel within 24 hours of the session, full payment for the session will be due. If you cancel within 5 days before the session, half payment will be due. Lessons cancelled by ourselves will be re-scheduled at a mutually convenient time or will be refunded if applicable.

Holiday tuition can be arranged to support your child, and this can be booked through an online calendar on our homepage on our website. 
If a group reduces in number and only one child remains, the session will no longer be considered a group session. In this case, the remaining child will be charged at the individual tuition rate. Parents will be given a minimum of two weeks’ notice before this change takes effect, to allow time to decide whether they wish to continue with individual tuition or explore alternative arrangements. 
We reserve the right to cancel tuition in the event of frequent cancellations or late payment.

Illness
If your child is ill (and this is any type of illness, not just COVID or flu) please cancel the session and if someone in your home has COVID or COVID type symptoms, we ask that you also do not send your child. If you know your child has a temperature or a new/contagious cough, please do cancel the lesson. We work with a lot of children and do not want to pass germs between homes and schools. If your child arrives poorly to a session, we will contact you to pick them up.
We have the same sickness policy as schools, if your child has sickness or diarrhoea please ensure that they do not attend classes until 48 hours of the symptoms have passed. We are happy to run catch up sessions during term and holiday time if your child is ill and lessons need to be made up. If this is not possible, we will give you a full refund.

Lesson preparations and marking
The fee includes my lesson preparation and teaching time. Lessons are bespoke and planned for carefully, supporting the learning journey for your child.
Marking outside of a lesson (e.g. full feedback on a writing task) and report writing will be charged at £50 an hour.

Group size
We teach children in groups where possible. Exceptions for this are when children have specific SEND needs requiring them to work with us individually. At Nicola’s home, groups will be no larger than 5 children. In local village halls, there will be a minimum adult to child ratio of 1:5. I can assure parents that I will never compromise on the quality of teaching and learning for children. We have amazing teaching assistants that are very experienced in supporting children.

Pricing
This will be updated on our website and if there are any changes, parents will be given a minimum of two month’s notice.

Parking
If there is a space on Nicola’s driveway (the central 2 spaces) feel free to park – for the duration of your child’s session if you wish. Take care pulling out onto the road as it is busier than it looks.

Food and Drink
Please send your child to each session with their book/ folder and a filled water bottle. We will provide a snack if they wish so please inform us of any allergies that your child has.

Contact
Please feel free to contact Nicola via email at nicola@forest-1st-tutoring.co.uk. We aim to respond within 2 working days
												© Forest 1st Tutoring, 24/7/25

Question 9

How do I pay for sessions? And how much is it?

Accepted Answer

Payment for the first session is made upfront, and if you choose to continue, Hilary will invoice you every half-term for ongoing support.
Price is very depending on the length of the class and the size of it. Here are examples of our prices from September:
Small group support for 45 minutes: £28
Small group support for an hour £33 
Our prices have increased slightly as we are anticipating paying VAT shortly.

Question 10

What is the ratio of adults to children in small group sessions?

Accepted Answer

The minimum ratio of children to adults is 1:4 most of our classes ratio is lower. We have experienced teaching assistants who work in our sessions to make sure that there is one-to-one support for all children. We never want to compromise learning.

Question 11

How is my child’s progress measured and reported?

Accepted Answer

Your child’s progress is monitored throughout their sessions, with feedback provided at the end of each lesson by your child’s tutor. We’re always happy to discuss your child’s progress with you whenever you wish.

Question 12

How do you communicate with parents and schools?

Accepted Answer

We primarily use email and text, and often WhatsApp for quick and easy communication with parents. Keeping you informed and involved is always a priority.

Question 13

Can you support children who are not currently attending mainstream school?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We’re here to support every child, including those who are not currently attending mainstream school. Your child’s learning journey matters to us, and we’re committed to providing the help they need.

Frequently asked questions