Tutoring

There is a boy I taught who could read every word on the page and tell you almost nothing about what he had just read. He was not lazy, and he was not struggling to decode. Nobody had ever shown him that you are allowed to stop, go back, and ask yourself what that paragraph actually said. It took six weeks. Not six weeks of heroics — six weeks of one hour, once a week, with somebody paying close attention.

That is most of what tutoring is. Not a rescue, and not a second school at the end of a long day. One adult with enough time to notice where the gap really sits, and enough experience to know what usually sits behind it.

I have spent twenty-four years in primary education, as a teacher, a headteacher and a director of education. I tutor a small number of children alongside that work. Small, because the attention is the thing being bought.

Who I work with

Primary-aged children, from four to eleven, and a few older children I have taught for years and simply carried on with.

Children preparing for the eleven-plus, where the work is as much about pacing and nerve as it is about content.

Children with dyslexia, ASD, ADHD and AuDHD. I have taught in mainstream classrooms and led schools through the whole range of need, and I plan around the child in front of me rather than around a programme.

Children who are doing perfectly well and have quietly decided they are no good at something. That one matters more than it sounds.

How it works

We start with a free twenty-minute conversation — you, me, and no child present. You tell me what you are seeing at home. I tell you honestly whether tutoring is the right answer, because sometimes it is not.

Sessions are online or in person, weekly, at the same time each week. Children do better with a rhythm they can rely on.

You get a short note after each session saying what we did and what would help at home. Never more than a few lines, and never homework by another name.

I take a small number of children at a time, so there is sometimes a wait.

What it costs

Single session, 45 minutes — £45

Block of six sessions, 45 minutes each — £245

Eleven-plus programme, ten weekly sessions of an hour — £480

Second child in the same family — 10% off

Blocks are paid in advance and are transferable between siblings. If a session is missed with reasonable notice, it is moved rather than lost.

What parents say

"Laura is an open and engaging tutor who inspires confidence and explains Maths clearly. She has been great with my teenage dyslexic son and I have no hesitation in recommending her."

— Julie, parent

"We knew Laura as head of my daughter's school a few years ago and learnt that she did tutoring on the side. As my daughter had some struggles with learning, we thought 1-1 teaching would be beneficial. Laura worked wonders — friendly, professional, understanding, encouraging — and really helped build my daughter's confidence and learning. She also had a few sessions with my AuDHD son and really took the time to adapt learning to suit him, with a ton of patience thrown in. Would 100% recommend to anyone."

— Natalie, parent

"Laura taught my daughter literacy from her home in Crowborough. She was a calm and patient tutor who has experience of children with identified needs such as ASD and ADHD. Very happy with the progress that my daughter has made — it makes such a difference when the tutor understands your child. Laura is amazing."

— Paige, parent

"Laura is patient and knowledgeable but also encouraging. She makes learning fun and not boring. No hesitation in recommending Laura."

— John, parent

"Having known Laura for more than 10 years as a teacher, she has always been both an inspirational and an inspired teacher. Her happy, patient and cheerful disposition generates self-confidence in her students and encourages them to aspire to greater goals. Laura taught my son for three of his formative years at primary school and in that time he thrived. Being very young when he started school, school was challenging for him, and Laura patiently helped him through his darkest days. She has been a Godsend since he has been in High School, especially when he has struggled with motivation — her patience and perseverance has won the day many times."

— Sarah, parent

Ready to book?

Sessions and blocks are in the shop, and you can pay online:

Booking a second child? Use the code SIBLING10 at checkout for 10% off.

Ready to talk?

If you are wondering whether it would help, the twenty-minute conversation costs you nothing and usually answers the question.

Book a free 20-minute conversation

Or email admin@lauramasson.co.uk.