How effective are tutors?

What difference does the one-to-one attention of an experienced school entrance tutor make?

How much can a tutor affect the outcome of your child’s 11 plus results? Is the usual school and homework rigorous enough to prepare for the varying demands of London’s most selective schools?

For school entrance exams, your child needs to understand the English and Maths syllabus, practise Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They also will take several mock practice papers to master exam technique and prepare for their interview. This takes time, and efforts need to be sustained over time. It is important your child learns effective exam technique. However, skills such as self-timing and planning thoroughly may not be given sufficient focus or even be taught at their primary school.

Additionally, some exams may be in a format unfamiliar to your child. Exams such as multiple choice or online. They may contain content that has not been taught at school such as Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Your child must have experience and practice in these areas so they are not thrown off on the day. The process test not only knowledge, but also ability to work under pressure and adapt to new situations.

We have found that tutors are the most effective way to secure a place at Senior School. In 2020, our specialist tutors helped 90% of our students secure an offer from their first choice Secondary School. While 100% got a place at either their first or second choice. External one-to-one support is particularly effective with younger children, who may not be getting personal support at their primary school. Our tutoring is designed to be interesting and fun for children. We do not overwhelm or overwork them. Instead, we offer specific guidance teaching each child exactly what they need in order to pass the exam. Using methods that they find effective and engaging.

We specialise in carefully selecting a tutor that will be right for your family. With over 250 tutors, we are able to cater to your personal needs and preferences to match you with an expert eager to teach your child.

What can I do to help my child prepare for their exams?

The intense level of work needed to prepare for school entrance can be daunting for families. Whilst parents can do much of this preparation work at home, it adds considerable pressure on home life and your relationship with your child. This is where we can help. Our services allow you to take a step back from the preparation and places the responsibility onto a trained professional.

We have 40 years’ experience helping children with their entrance exams. Our institutional knowledge will support you however schools decide to assess for 2022 entrance. For example, we have deep knowledge of ISEB digital exams which helped our families, when many schools changed their entrance exams to this format at the last minute.

A Mentor tutor can give insight into the landscape of your child’s knowledge gaps, and work with them over time to address these in engaging, lively sessions.

Tuition from Mentor

This year, Mentor tutees passed the entrance exams for JAGS, Alleyn’s, Dulwich, Emanuel, Whitgift, KCS, Latymer and more. Our specialist tutors have up to the minute insight into the admissions process at various independent schools. Many are senior teachers and heads of department from some of London’s leading schools. They have personal experience of the demands of the latest exams, which now emphasise lateral thinking and problem-solving skills. This invaluable experience is what makes our tutors so effective at helping children through their journey.

How effective are tutors when giving online lessons.

Every one of our 250+ tutors has teaching experience, is reference-checked and holds an up to date Enhanced DBS Certificate. Wherever possible, we will do our best to match your child with a tutor who has taught at the school they are applying to.

The current government guidelines, allow tutors to legally teach in-person sessions at your home. So, we are currently offering both online and face to face tuition with our experienced tutors.

We also offer Academic Assessments, practice papers, interview practice and courses, giving your child the skills, knowledge and self-confidence they need to shine on their assessment day.

Contact us on 020 8883 2519 for expert advice about tuition and your next steps.

“Holistic in their approach, as well as ethical say parents and tutors. If you’re the kind of parent that believes confidence building is a key part of a child’s journey to academic success, and you’re attracted to highly principled companies, then you’ll be right at home with Mentor Education.”
The Good Schools Guide