As many Year 6 pupils across England prepare to sit the 11 Plus exam over the next couple of weeks, parents of Year 5 pupils will no doubt be looking to the 11 Plus exam in 2021 for 2022 grammar school entry. If you haven’t already, now is the time to start preparing your child. Building your child’s confidence in maths is key to achieving top marks in the 11 Plus. Online maths tutors are fundamental in helping to build that confidence and get results.

When should I get an online maths tutor for the 11 Plus?

Usually parents start preparing their child for the 11 Plus around 12 months before. However, some choose to start preparation in Year 4 and some even earlier.

Education experts from Think Academy UK believe that it truly depends on each student’s ability. If your child performs well at maths, they may only need to prepare a couple of months in advance. On the other hand, if they are of average ability or sometimes struggle then they would benefit from at least 12 months practice.

Read more: 11 Plus Exam: What Age Should You Start Preparing Your Child?

But why does my child need an online maths tutor?

They might not. Although you should bear in mind that only a handful of students can adequately prepare for the 11 Plus using only mock tests. The majority need to prepare in advance.

Something many parents forget is that 11 Plus exam material is not the same as the national curriculum. The style of questions students can expect to answer in the exam are purposely more challenging. This is so that schools can differentiate between those students who are of grammar school calibre and those who would struggle at this stream.

Read more: Why Are Online Maths Tutors More Popular Than Ever?

Online maths tutors can train your child for the 11 Plus exam

Even if your child is not superb at maths, they can still attempt the 11 Plus and pass! This is why so many parents invest in online maths tutors, or any tutor for that matter. Sometimes your child needs a little bit of extra support to help them get them to the level they need to be at.

While practice books and mock tests are undeniably useful, for most children they’re just not enough. The role of an online maths tutor is to work through these new styles of questions with students. They will teach problem-solving techniques that are different to what is usually taught at school and demonstrate how to apply mathematical concepts. Ultimately equipping children with the skills and building the confidence they need to succeed.

Online maths tutors Vs. Practice books

The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), one of England’s 11 Plus grammar school consortiums; highlights the qualities that grammar schools look for in students. That is, the potential to thrive in an environment that provides a highly academic curriculum with depth and breadth and a range of challenging pursuits. – If you’re struggling to understand what this means, we did too. Let’s break it down:

• It’s curiosity, enjoyment of learning and problem-solving.
• The ability to make connections between various areas of knowledge.
• It’s also the ability to work at pace and assimilate information quickly.
• An appreciation for numerical conventions.
• The ability to apply mathematical concepts.

These are all values that cannot be instilled in children using just practice books or mock tests alone. It serves to highlight why parents choose online maths tutors when it comes to preparing for the mathematical element of the 11 Plus exam.

Discover Think Academy UK – Premium 11 Plus online maths tuition

The online maths tutors at Think Academy UK specialise in preparing children in Year 4 and Year 5 for the maths element of the 11 Plus exam. Using a course designed by leading educators, our tutors use an online platform with virtual classrooms to bring maths alive, all while introducing kids to the types of questions they can expect to find in the 11 Plus exam.

What does a typical class look like?

Your child can expect to learn alongside a small group of other children in the same year group. Why not one-to-one? That’s because Think Academy UK believe that children perform better when learning alongside their peers. It’s less intimidating and more engaging. However, most importantly, children still receive their tutors undivided attention.

Using the latest EdTech innovations, their virtual classroom acts as an interactive learning centre. They can see their tutor, the questions, and ways to contribute their answer. Working through each question is an exciting learning adventure that simultaneously trains their brain to understand the problem-solving techniques and application of mathematical concepts needed to pass the 11 Plus.

Online maths lessons that will boost your child’s performance at school!

On our mission to support parents, throughout 2020 Think Academy UK welcomed hundreds of UK primary school students onto our successful online maths courses.

We’re now enrolling KS1 and KS2 primary school students onto our Spring Course, starting in January 2021! Parents use our online maths tutors as a supplement to the learning that takes place at school. With multiple difficulty levels, all our online maths courses use a state-of-the-art online learning platform pioneering the UK’s first dual-teacher system. This creates a comprehensive, guided-learning experience suitable for every child, enabling them to catch up and make progress in maths.  

Will my child receive homework?

Of course! We believe that homework is an excellent way for children to review what they have learnt in each session. It promotes independent learning and helps our tutors to evaluate their level of understanding. At the beginning of each class, tutors and students review the previous lesson’s content and the homework – ensuring no child is left behind!

Our students also benefit from the use of unlimited video play back. This is a recording of what they have been taught in class, with their tutor explaining step-by-step methods for working out each answer. Therefore, if your child is confused after class, they (and you) can go back and see how it was originally explained to them.

How long is each online tuition maths course?

We run several 12-week courses throughout the year. Right now, we are enrolling students on to our autumn term course. If you’re interested in trying one of our 1-hour online maths classes for free, you can book a place for a taster session here.

Alternatively, you can learn more about the content of our autumn courses here.

Our role as your child’s online maths tutor

We don’t want our maths tuition to be regimented. While we promise to help your child prepare and pass their 11 Plus exam, we also want them to have fun! Maths is a core subject and many kids resent learning numerical concepts simply because they must.

Our highly qualified and enthusiastic team of tutors are dedicated maths teaching professionals with years of experience, dedicated to opening your child’s mind to a new and wonderful world of maths. Ultimately, we deliver on the promise that we will equip each child with the skills needed to pass the maths element of the 11 Plus as a self-assured young learner that is ready for the challenges of grammar school.

You might also like to read:

Why is Online Tutoring Important? Online Vs In-Person Tuition in 2020: How Primary School Pupils are Bouncing Back From COVID-19

The Homework Debate 2020: Should Homework be Banned in the UK?

How to Tell if Your Child Struggles with Maths at Primary School and What You Can Do to Help

The post Do I Need a Tutor to Pass the 11 Plus Exam? Meet the Online Maths Tutors Who Deliver Results appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

Lockdown has forced parents and experts to re-evaluate the priorities of education with online tutoring becoming a key resource in supporting primary education.

However, this is not a new concept. Children have used educational technology since the late 1990s with educational programs and props. Additionally, schools have implemented educational technology for the last 5 years and used online platforms such as purple mash to distribute work and give feedback to pupils and parents.

Nevertheless, parents are still reluctant and may find this overwhelming. Therefore, if this is a new concept to you, that’s ok. Allowing yourself to understand the positives it can have on your child’s education will help change your perspective. That’s exactly what this article aims to do.

Read more: Why Online Maths Tutors are More Popular than Ever?

What is online tuition?

Online tuition or online tutoring is a form of teaching that takes place online. This involves a real-life class held over the internet. There are no robots involved. The online tutor is someone the student can interact with virtually.

Virtual classrooms are increasingly replicating real ones as technological advancement allows tutors to talk, share files and exchange messages. Pupils are now also able to replay their lesson, which reinforces their learning.

Online tuition services such as Think Academy UK are going further, using online learning platforms that promote interactivity. Students can interact with peers and enjoy fun maths challenges; with expert tutors whose goal is to help children achieve their full potential.

The only requirements needed for the lesson to be delivered is for both the tutor and student to have sufficient bandwidth and a device.

Read more: Top 5 Reasons to Choose Group Tuition for Your Child in 2021

Online tuition for young children

Online tuition is increasing in popularity amongst young families. Although there is a common misconception that a young child will not tolerate sitting and learning on a device. But you may be forgetting about the curiosity factor.

It is a new concept to them; they are curious as to how it all works. Keeping them focused is possible, but it is fundamental that the online lesson is fully interactive. Allowing a child to participate in the lesson is exciting, and this can make the entire learning experience more stimulating.

Online tuition during the 2021 lockdown

The closure of schools across the UK has affected parents everywhere, particularly working parents. Overseeing your child’s education in addition to the demands of a day job is no easy task. Therefore, most professional parents across Britain are switching to online tutoring to provide additional support for their children, preventing them from falling behind a year in key subjects such as mathematics.

As a solution, Think Academy UK provides interactive online maths courses that aim to help all children reach their full academic potential. Classes are hosted on a fun and engaging online learning platform, with lots of interactivity and problem-solving games. Parents use online tuition services, such as Think Academy’s, as a supplement to home-schooling and to maintain and boost proficiency in maths.

Additionally, online tutoring can be used to stimulate children who are bored with learning at home, after all, who can blame them? Interactive activities and lessons act as the perfect solution to this.

Read more: Is Online Tutoring Right for Your Child?  – Understanding how online tuition could boost performance in school. 

Is online tuition safe?

When choosing an online tutoring company, you will need to do the right checks in advance. For example, asking that the company has vetted every tutor and checked that they have a DBS or a DBS equivalent. Online tutoring also allows you (should you wish) to be present with your child for the entire lesson, unlike face-to-face tutoring which requires parents to step outside.

Think Academy only works with the best tutors who have been hand-picked via a rigorous selection process, all holding degrees from top UK institutions, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Russell Group universities. This is so your child receives the most effective learning experience. Each class is delivered by a qualified tutor and a dedicated teaching assistant to individually support your child through a guided learning process.

Can online tuition lead to too much screen time?

As a parent, you may find yourself allowing your children more screen time than usual to get things done. This is especially the case if you are working from home, this can lead to increased feelings of guilt.

The main concern parents have is whether they should be limiting their child’s screen time. However, research suggests that longer sessions of screen time are ok providing that the content children are engaging with is of high quality.

Online tuition is a fantastic way to educate your child, supporting students to learn and develop skills that can undoubtedly help them progress in the future.

The post Using Online Tuition to Support Lockdown Learning at Home appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

Many parents may assume that private tuition is one-to-one, but there are many important benefits to small group tuition to consider.

1. Small group tuition develops children’s social skills

Due to school closures and self-isolation, many students this year have missed out on developing friendships and key social skills. Small group tuition offers children a safe way to interact with other students and meet new people, as well as develop key skills such as taking turns, sharing and listening to others. 

Working in small groups can also provide a confidence boost for shyer, more introverted pupils, who may be overlooked in large class environments but may also find one-to-one tuition too intimidating. One-to-one tuition can be difficult for younger students, as it requires them to concentrate intensely for a long period of time and can inadvertently be quite stressful as there is a lot of pressure on that student.

Group tuition develops social skills – fundamental for help with maths

Group tuition, on the other hand, is ideal for KS1 and KS2 pupils. As our courses are streamed by year and ability, pupils will be paired with students with similar needs, competencies and experiences, which will help them to feel more comfortable and confident when approaching new challenges. 

2. Small group tuition offers more learning opportunities

One-to-one tuition can be limiting in terms of lesson style because there are no opportunities for collaboration, whereas there are many more possibilities with small group tuition. As the focus of the lesson will never solely be on one child, this gives them more time to digest information, as well as hear other people’s opinions and listen to questions they may not have thought of themselves.

Many students as well thrive when working with others; friendly competition, group discussion and team exercises are all excellent ways of motivating and engaging pupils. Small group tuition offers a livelier, more stimulating, more varied environment – all of which will make learning more enjoyable and interesting.

3. Small group tuition encourages independence

One potential downside to one-to-one tuition is that it is incredibly easy for pupils to become overly reliant on their tutor; there is a risk that they become used to being ‘spoon-fed’ their learning because they always have someone to prompt and guide them through tasks. They may think they are making progress in the short-term, but in the long-term, they will not be able to think for themselves.

Small group tuition can help to mitigate this risk in two main ways. Firstly, students will learn from each other as much as from the tutor, and so they are not always relying on the same person. Secondly, they are exposed to different arguments and ways of thinking, which stops them from being close-minded and helps them to develop critical thinking skills rather than just ‘parroting’ the tutor. 

Fostering independence helps primary schoolers with maths

All of our tutors are extremely well-qualified – many are qualified teachers with years of experience – and so know how to support students whilst fostering independence. Our rigorous selection process means that we only hire tutors with excellent track records who can help pupils to grow holistically, rather than just giving them the right answer.

4. Small group tuition is proven to be effective

Studies have shown that private tuition is an investment that pays off in dividends. In 2014 a small group intervention called Switch-On-Reading made an additional three months’ progress in literacy levels of Year 6 and Year 7 pupils. A similar intensive coaching programme that involved one to one and small group tuition also had an average impact of five additional months progress with Year 7 pupils. A 2011 evaluation of Every Child Counts also found that Maths interventions were most effective when delivered on a one to one basis or with groups or two or three, with all group sizes making similar amounts of progress. 

Our parents’ testimonials are also overwhelmingly positive. Parents have praised how there is “lots of interaction”, “lots of recaps to consolidate learning”,  and “lots of activities that go beyond what is being learnt in school” which give students “the chance to learn lots of new topics.”

5. Small group tuition is cheaper and more convenient – the new way to help with maths at home

Many parents are put off by the high costs of one-to-one tuition, but small group tuition can offer an affordable alternative. Our Spring courses cost between £72 and £96 for 12 sessions, which works out at just £6-8 per lesson! According to prospects.ac.uk, the average hourly rate for a private tutor is between £30-60 an hour dependent on experience, which means one-to-one tuition can be up to ten times more expensive.

The growing popularity of online group tuition, proven for helping with maths at school

Online tuition also offers greater flexibility: there is no need to travel; you are not limited to certain tutors or courses because of your location; plus it offers safe, socially-distanced learning during the ongoing pandemic. Students can meet new people, develop their IT skills and receive timely feedback and support all from the comfort of their own home. Students can develop a sense of camaraderie and community whilst still receiving plenty of individual attention and personalised feedback; it really is the best of both worlds.

Use CODE:  247HYP7In5 to redeem £12.00 off Think Academy’s January 2021 maths courses! Enter your code at the checkout here! Give your child a confidence boost in maths and help them to prepare for the 11+ exam, SATs, or simply catch up and make progress in maths!

Perfect for Covid catch-up, KS2 SATs or 11 Plus exam preparation, Think Academy is offering affordable online maths tuition for children at £6.00 (KS1) or £8.00 (KS2) per class. New classes are available for January 2021. Easy-to-use, minimal supervision required.

Read more:

11+ Maths Exam: How to Help Your Child Pass in 2021

School Closures: – FREE Online Learning Resources to Help Your Child During the Christmas Holidays

11+ Exam Preparation: A Guide to Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests

The post Help with Maths: Top 5 Reasons to Choose Group Tuition for Your Child in 2021 appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

Children can find homework help anytime they need with schedules being as flexible as you want. The best part you is that don’t need to drive them anywhere!

This virus has been difficult and unsettling for children. Routine has been thrown out and some children rely on that routine. With online tutoring, that will probably be the only set of learning that doesn’t change. It allows your child to learn at their own pace and make new friends whilst stimulating their brain.

Most online tuition encourages independent thinking. Children can log in with their device and learn to navigate around a virtual learning platform as they interact with their tutor. Best of all, it requires minimal supervision meaning we can get on with the things we need to attend to. We all know how difficult it can be to work from how and try to keep children entertained.

In simple words, it’s home-schooling but without the constant going back and forth and trying to teach what you probably forgot!

However, this may be your first time approaching online tutoring, and let’s face it, it can be overwhelming. Therefore, Think Academy decided it would be a good idea to guide you on your online tutoring journey.

We have broken down everything for you right here on what, why, and how? Hopefully, it answers all your questions.

What is online tutoring?

Online tutoring is a type of teaching, this can be in a one to one setting or a group setting. This takes place online, but with a real teacher. The tutor leads the lesson and delivers material and methods. (It’s school but online).

The only thing that is required is a good connection on both ends!

Online tutoring that will boost your child’s performance at school!

On our mission to support parents, throughout 2020 Think Academy UK welcomed hundreds of UK primary school students onto our successful online maths courses.

We’re now enrolling KS1 and KS2 primary school students onto our Spring Course, starting in January 2021! Parents use our online maths tutors as a supplement to the learning that takes place at school.

With multiple difficulty levels, all our online maths courses use a state-of-the-art online learning platform pioneering the UK’s first dual-teacher system. This creates a comprehensive, guided-learning experience suitable for every child, enabling them to catch up and make progress in maths.  

Doing the maths

As parents, we always want what’s best for our babies, right? Sometimes school is just not enough. Think about it, there are almost 30 kids in each classroom with one teacher. It’s not always easy for the teacher to focus on each child. Not to mention, the extra assignments that come with working as a teacher.

If you do the maths, how is each child getting their personalised help? How is each child benefitting from that one class? Most kids are unfortunately overlooked, that’s the ugly truth.

This is where extracurricular (online tutoring) can help. It helps your child improve and develop on what they are already good at! It allows them to spread their wings further, whilst developing their focus.

The benefits of online tutoring

Here at Think Academy, we thought it might be useful to list some of the benefits of online tutoring, to illustrate why this is beneficial for your child to sign up for online tutoring.

The 24-hour limit

We know that each child or family is different, we all have different schedules. Some families focus on having an early bedtime, whilst others focus on how to organise a family dinner together.

With online tutoring, your child can learn at a time that’s suitable for you, them and the whole family. Online tutoring is there 24 hours a day.

Online learning is self-paced

We already pointed out how hard it may be for schoolteachers to focus on each child. Each child needs that specific attention to thrive. With online tutoring, your child can move at their own pace without the rush.

Getting the best of the best

Online tutoring programmes give kids access to some of the best tutors in the business. Like Think Academy who hires teachers from Oxford and Cambridge! From English to chemistry and from mathematics to computers, our children are getting the opportunity to be tutored by some of the greatest minds without paying huge amounts to private schools!

Accessibility

Several kids generally find it hard to ask to follow up questions in class. They get shy or have too much social pressure on them. With online learning, that is eliminated. It has been suggested that kids are far more likely to retain what they learn online as opposed to in the classroom.

Comfortable environment

Your child can learn in a safe and comfortable environment. As a primary school child, it can be quite intimidating to meet new people. However, it can be a bit different when they are in the comfort of their own home whilst with their trusted adult. They will probably find learning much more appealing.

How to find that perfect tutoring company?

Several companies are providing the service of online tutoring and it can be a bit overwhelming. So obviously we simplified it for you too!

Look at what the company focuses on.

What we mean by this is, look at what subjects they specialise in. Is this relevant to your child? For example, here at Think Academy we focus on maths for primary school children. We hire and teach on this basis.

Ask the right questions?

You need to ask the company the right questions. For example, where their tutors studied? What are their experiences? Do they have reviews? All of these are as important as each other. Make sure to ask them all!

Are there parent interactions?

Many of us need to check in on our kids, see how they are doing. Do they need extra help, how are they getting on? Make sure your online tutoring company provides this information.

Free Trials

Finally, always try before you buy! Ask for a preview, a free trial. Companies can show off in advertisements. However, when it comes to the real deal it may be a different story. Here at Think Academy we will give you a free trial, as we know how hard it is to find that perfect company without splashing out so soon!

Online maths tuition for primary school students in Years 1 – 6.

In response to a high number of requests from parents, we have opened the sign up to our Spring Course starting in January 2021. For parents who choose to sign their child up today, we’re offering a limited-time early bird discount. Learn more here.

Parents use our online maths tutors as a supplement to the learning that takes place at school. With multiple difficulty levels, all our online maths courses use a state-of-the-art online learning platform pioneering the UK’s first dual-teacher system. This creates a comprehensive, guided-learning experience suitable for every child, enabling them to catch up and make progress in maths.

You may also like to read:

Ofsted Ratings and Reports – A Parent & Teacher Guide to Primary School Ofsted Inspections

Top 50 Home Learning Resources for UK Primary School Maths

What is a Prime Number? – How to Help Your Child Master Prime Numbers at KS2

The post Is Online Tutoring Right for your Child? – Understanding how Online Tutors Could Boost Performance at School appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

The global tuition market is set to grow by more than £46 billion from 2019-2023. Online tuition is a huge sector of that market, with a 50% boom in the use of online tutors in 2020 alone. All of this considered, it is clear why parents turn to online tuition to prevent their kids from falling behind in key subjects such as maths.

Learn more about why online maths tutors are more popular than ever in 2020.

Online tutoring reduces the impact of COVID-19 fallout:

In an average 6-week UK school summer holiday, experts suggest primary school children’s maths ability regresses by 2-3 months. Therefore, when we consider the summer holiday of 2020 coupled with several months of lost learning due to school closures, parents have good reason to be concerned. The 2020 KS1 and KS2 SATs are officially cancelled, but they are scheduled for 2021.

Online tutoring Vs face to face tutoring:

There are pros and cons to both. However, in the context of today it’s worth nothing that online tutoring is the only viable option. While some parents and teachers may recommend face to face tuition, because of health and safety it will be some time before this is logistically possible.

Why choose in-person face to face tutoring over an online tutor?

Perhaps your child is more likely to engage with a tutor if they are physically present. Many parents express concern that online tutoring is less likely to teach discipline. In the presence of a tutor, children can get to know them rather than just looking at a person on a screen.

It might be the case that your tutor was, or still is, a real-life teacher. That’s reassuring right? It suggests they know about the national curriculum and have years of experience under their belt. Don’t forget that there’s less screen time so that’s another bonus – Hooray!

If you find yourself agreeing with the above, is it because you’re tentative to embrace modern technology? If so, let’s see if we can change your mind…

Online tutors offer all the same, and more than face to face tutors:

Communicating online is the new norm. We communicate with our loved ones on Skype or Facetime. Some of us may have started new jobs without ever meeting our new colleagues face to face! Education has successfully transitioned to the digital world. Yes, it is new. However, it is working.

Kids can build successful teacher-student relationships with their online tutors. Why? Kids are great at adapting to new technologies. They learn faster than us adults! Online tuition services use engaging online video lessons and virtual, interactive classrooms that introduce kids to a world of learning that has been reinvented. Did you know that kids retain 25-60% of their online learning in comparison to just 8-10% in the presence of a teacher? Let’s not forget it is also safer to learn with online tutors because children can learn from the safety and comfort of home. Finally, online tutoring is significantly cheaper!

Is online tutoring safe?

No doubt every parent has this concern – rightly so! We are all too aware of the vigilance we must exercise when our children use the internet. This needs to extend to online tutoring.

How to find a reputable online tutor?

Most websites with listings of online tutors should have verified their identify and credentials. Don’t forget that if you are buying into their service then you have the right to see these in more detail.

At larger online tutoring services such as Think Academy UK, we verify all our tutors’ credentials such as university degrees and teaching qualifications in addition to a full DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. This ensures that our online tutors have no criminal record and are safe to teach children online.

You can view some of our online tutors here:

Online tutoring gives you access to the UK’s best tutors!

With in-person face to face tuition, parents are left with limited options depending on where they live. The tutor needs to work or live within a reasonable distance from the child’s home or school. Schedules are also limited. This significantly restricts the quality of tuition available, depending on where you live.

A benefit of online tutoring is that location does not matter. Not only does this make it flexible and convenient, parents can choose from a wide pool of tutors from all over the UK. This allows them to select only the best! At Think Academy UK many of our online tutors are also primary school maths teachers with several years’ experience. They have a superb understanding of the national curriculum and are experts at preparing KS1 and KS2 students for their SATs.

Online tutoring takes learning to the next level!

Goodbye boring textbooks and work sheets. If motivating your child to learn maths is challenging, online tuition could be the solution. Engaging maths classes with enthusiastic teachers in a safe and adaptive online learning environment is often better suited for children.

They want to learn, but it must be fun. At Think Academy, we like to teach kids in small groups where they can still receive the undivided attention of their tutors but still interact with their peers. Online classrooms are fully interactive, introducing kids to new ways of learning. This personalised element to tutoring maths is something that is only possible using the wonders of EdTech.

This has multiple benefits for primary school pupils. While learning to love maths, they’re successfully preparing for their SATs while staying safe and better familiarising themselves with new technologies – fundamental to their future education.

You may also like to read:

How Think Academy’s Online Maths Courses can Help Your Child Better Prepare KS2 SATs?

Top 5 Back to School Tips  Compiled by Think Academy’s Education Experts for 2020

KS1 SATs – How to Prepare Your Little One for Their First Test!

Primary School Maths Tutors – Tips for Parents: How to Find the Right Tutor with the UK’s TOP 15 Online Maths Tutors!

The post Why is Online Tutoring Important? Online Vs In-Person Tuition in 2020: How Primary School Pupils are Bouncing Back From COVID-19 appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

Thinking about primary school maths tutors? If you are considering a primary school maths tutor for your kids, it is essential that you first do your research. Tutors have long been a popular supplement to helping kids achieve the highest grades in their SATs and 11 Plus exam. However, with the circumstances of today tutors are in higher demand than ever. In response to social distancing guidelines most maths tuition for primary school students happens online.

So as a parent, where do you begin? We have compiled a list of the UK’s top 15 online maths tutors to help kickstart your search. We will also look at the cost of online maths tuition in the UK, the reasons parents invest in tutors and which type of tuition is best for your child.

Learn more: Why online maths tutors are more popular than ever?

Primary school maths tutors: How much do they cost?

The average cost of primary school tuition in the UK per hour is £30.00-£40.00. There are tutoring services such as Think Academy UK offering classes at just £5.00 per hour. On the other end of the spectrum there are private tutors charging as much as £40.00-£50.00 per hour. Factors that can affect the cost include the quality of the tutor, what is being taught, the duration of the class and whether it is one to one of a group class. Parents need to be aware of these when making their decision.

Top 15 primary school online maths tutors:

1.      Think Academy UK

Think Academy UK is an online maths tutoring service for primary school students using expert tutors who specialise in preparing 5-11-year olds in Year 1 – Year 6 for KS1 and KS2 SATs and the 11 Plus exam. With 17 years of experience and over 4,000,000 students enrolled online, Think Academy UK is closing the attainment gap in the UK. How? – By offering the lowest cost per hour online tuition at just £6.00 per hour at KS1!

Promising to help every student achieve a scaled score of at least 100 in their KS1 and KS2 SATs, Think Academy’s classes are excellent value for money.

Read more: SATs 2021 – Complete Guide on KS2 SATs and How to Prepare Your Child!

2.      Explore Learning

Explore Learning offer maths and English tuition in both dedicated tuition centres and online. Their award-winning services help to prepare primary school students for their KS1 and KS2 SATs, with additional services on offer for preparation of the 11 Plus.

While costs vary, customers pay on a subscription basis. This includes a monthly subscription of £139.00 in addition to an initial £25.00 registration fee. With most children attending a couple of 90-minute classes per week, Explore Learning’s cost per hour of tuition at around £11.00-£13.00. This makes Explore Learning good value for money.

3.      Third Space Learning

Providing tutoring services online and directly to schools, Third Space Learning is ranked third on the list in terms of services provided and value for money. Like the competitors above, the company has invested in education technology in reaching kids remotely whilst tutoring maths to KS1 and KS2 students. With a good reputation, tuition rates creep up slightly at Third Space Learning with a 1-hour online class priced at £16.99.

Learn more: SATs 2021 – Complete Guide to KS1 SATs and How Best to Prepare Your Little One for Their First Test!

4.      Kip McGrath

Kip McGrath’s maths programmes cover all the topics that kids learn in primary school. Much of their online maths tuition is focused on mathematical concepts designed to help kids catch up at school. Other areas of tuition help to boost students ahead of their peers, promoted as an intensive intervention programme. Kip McGrath currently offers online maths tuition for primary school pupils at £31.50 per hour.

5.      Toota

One-to-one online maths tuition with qualified teachers, Toota works with over 9,000 schools across the UK. Using many of the same EdTech-powered features the above tutoring services also use, one of Toota’s unique selling points is that it provides customers with a vast pool of tutors to choose from. Do be aware that with this premium selection comes a premium price. A 60-minute online maths class at Toota is advertised at £49.00 – above the UK average.

Other popular primary school online maths tutors:

6. UK IXL
7. Matr
8. Teachers to Your Home
9. Elite Tuition Group
10. Kumon
11. Tutorwiz
12. Blue Tutors
13. Smart-Tutors
14. My Profsr
15. Simply Learning Tuition

Why choose an online primary school maths tutor?

For years, most parents would simply search for a local tutor, seeking in-person help. Nowadays location is not an issue. With online maths tuition, parents have a wider pool of more highly qualified tutors to choose from.

Furthermore, online maths tuition is more flexible and cheaper! Kids can learn from the safety of home while parents save on travel costs. Not only is it more convenient, it is good for the environment!

Primary school class size:

With the average class size of a UK primary school at 30 pupils (sometimes more) it is easy for some children to fall behind. Therefore, if you are unsure that a tutor is right for your child, consider the benefits of studying in a smaller group or on a one-to-one basis. While both are good options, it is important to remember that while one-to-one might seem like a good option, this is not always the case.

While your child might receive the tutor’s undivided attention, it can sometimes be intimidating. Learning as part of a smaller group allows your child to interact in a fun and adaptive environment with kids their own age. At the same time, it is small enough to encourage them to find their voice and participate without falling through the gaps and being left behind.

If you are decided on a maths tutor, you might wish to check the following:

Tutoring session length:

When searching for a primary school maths tutor you will no doubt notice that each session is a different length. Some run for 35-minutes, some an hour, others longer.

It is important for you to check that you are getting value for money. Try to keep in mind that children have a limited attention span, so a 90-minute class might end up being a false economy. Also check how regularly your child is scheduled for a class. Some tutors will provide a class more than once a week.

Is the lesson content appropriate for your child?

It might seem like a no brainer, but it is important for you to check the primary school maths tutor’s credentials. Ask them which university they have graduated from and what they have studied.

Check to see if they have the appropriate teaching qualifications to fully understand KS1 and KS2 content. In many cases, the tutor will have a PGCE and may even be a full-time teacher in a school. If this is the case, they will most likely know the national curriculum inside out!

If you are searching for an online maths tutor to help prepare your child for the 11 Plus exam, a primary school teacher who also tutors may not be familiar with the 11 Plus syllabus. It is important to check this before you pay for your classes.

Will you be able to establish a good line of communication with the tutor?

This is pivotal to your child’s online maths tuition. By establishing rapport with your child’s tutor, you will be able to monitor their progress more effectively. In doing so, with time it will become clear if the tutor is still proving to be good value for money.

Set a timeline. If you already know which areas of maths your child requires help with the most, be sure to communicate this with the tutor. Moreover, ask the tutor when you can expect to see improvements? – (Providing that your child studies hard and you as their parent follow up).

When it comes to progress, do not take it at face value. Ask to see proof. A good online maths tutor will be able to give you clear examples of your child’s progress without hesitation.

Equally important, ask for homework. This is an easy way for you to see if your child has retained what they have learnt from the session and if the tutor is proving effective.

Put your child first!

Most importantly, finding the right primary school online maths tutor is giving your child a premium, extracurricular learning experience. It should be fun, educationally nutritious, and ultimately successful at fulfilling an objective – whether it is success at the KS1 or KS1 SATs, the 11 Plus exam or improving numerical aptitude.

You may also like to read:

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The post Primary School Maths Tutors – Here’s how to Find the Right Tutor with the UK’s TOP 15 Online Maths Tutors! appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

However, not so much in the UK. British parents have been slow in warming to this new way of learning in comparison to their American and Asian counterparts. Struggling to see the value of online learning resources coupled with a lingering suspicion of screen time, parents preferred a more traditional approach to extracurricular learning.

Online maths tuition and COVID-19

That was, until 2020. With the Coronavirus lockdown, the nation witnessed the closure of schools and an immediate scramble to minimise the impact of lost learning. According to a recent report from the United Nations, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the largest disruption of education ever, schools were closed in more than 160 countries, affecting over 1 billion students. Time to cue the heroes of the hour – online tutoring services!

When it came to homeschooling in mathematics, online maths tutors have been the bridge to quality education while supporting the resources distributed by schoolteachers. Studies suggest that 5-11-year olds retain 25-60% of their online learning in comparison to just 8-10% in the classroom. The popularity of online maths tuition has so far soared through 2020.

Online maths tutors at Think Academy UK trialled a fun and interactive maths online summer course with the aim of preparing primary school-aged children to transition back to school with an added boost in confidence. More popular than expected, perhaps UK parents are now more open to the benefits of online maths tuition and e-learning resources?

The rise of online maths tutors

Flashback to the early 2000s and I remember preparing for the 11 Plus exam, in the hope of securing a place at a top-performing local grammar school. Every Sunday morning, I joined three other students at a private tutor’s house for a two-hour maths class. Our learning was entirely revolved around a black and white textbook – yes, it was dull. E-learning was not a thing. Digital learning was a one-hour per week ICT class, at best.

How the power of EdTech and online maths tuition help primary school students

Zooming forward almost two decades and the EdTech age is in full swing. Today, UK primary school children have access to a reimagined world of learning. A digital landscape accessed entirely from their fingertips. The maths tutor has also survived the transition into the digital world. Online maths classes are readily available with just a simple Google search. With so many resources to choose from, parents are faced with an almost impossible task of benchmarking their educational value.

“Is my child going to be engaged?”

“Have they retained what they’ve learnt?”

“Are they safe online?”

“Does this resource reflect content from the national curriculum?”

“Am I getting value for money?”

Discover how online maths tutors are supporting primary schools students in maths

With so many questions and so many online maths tutors available, we are all too aware of the challenge parents face in deciphering which course is best for their child. That is why Think Academy UK launched a thoughtfully designed online maths Autumn course and now is offering a free maths class as a taster session for students in Years 1 – 6. During the lesson, parents can more accurately gauge their child’s interaction with the prospective tutor in addition to reviewing the content their child is learning from. There is an opportunity for parents and tutors to meet and discuss what a full-time online maths tutoring course at Think Academy UK would look like for their child, and how they will progress over time. All while taking place from the safety and comfort of home.

It raises the question as to how we might include online maths tuition into children’s wider education? It is perfectly ok to use online tutoring as a support tool to fill the gaps created during the recent closure of schools in the Coronavirus lockdown. More parents are using online tutors as an integral part of their home-schooling routine. While others find that it helps to give their child a competitive edge to score high in their Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2 SATs.

Meet some of our top online maths tutors at Think Academy UK

Looking for the perfect tutor to help your child get ahead at maths? Parents and students at Think Academy can choose from a team of verified online maths tutors to help propel their child’s problem-solving and numeracy skills.

Helen Sun

Teaching experience: 3 years tutoring experience in maths (GCSE/A level) with consistent 5-star ratings

Relevant Qualifications: BSc University College London | 3 x A*, 2 x A at A-Level

Course specialisation: geometry, number operations, Year 2 and 3 maths

Discover more about Helen’s KS1 and KS2 online maths classes

Oliver Demeger

Teaching experience: 3 years tutoring experience in Key Stage 2

Relevant Qualifications: BA University of Oxford | 2 x A*, 2 x A at A-Level

Course specialisation: fractions, decimals, percentages, and Year 5 maths

Think Academy’s reigning sudoku champion

Learn more about Oliver’s Year 5 maths class

Is There Any Free Online Tutoring?

Nowadays children can meet their tutors face-to-face thanks to the wonders of EdTech and Think Academy UK’s intuitive online learning platform. All too often, children find themselves inadvertently left behind in their classroom studies as their peers quickly grasp new mathematical concepts and move on. The online maths tutors at Think Academy UK aim to reflect techniques taught in the UK national curriculum in addition to alternative methods of learning. In doing so, children can apply the new techniques they have learnt using new methods they better understand.

You may also like to read:

How Think Academy’s Online Maths Courses can Help Your Child Better Prepare for the KS2 SATs?

What are Square Numbers? – How to Explain Square Numbers to Your Child

SATs 2021: Complete Guide on KS2 SATs and How to Prepare Your Child

The post Why Online Maths Tutors are More Popular than Ever? appeared first on Think Academy Blog.