What Does a Typical Tutoring Session Look Like?
We’re often asked by prospective parents how our sessions work. If you’ve never arranged tutoring before, it’s natural to wonder what actually happens once you book that first session. Here’s a straightforward walkthrough, so there are no surprises for you or your child when working with us at Tip Top.
Before the First Session
We’ll usually start with a short conversation — usually by phone — about the reason the assessment has been booked. We ask for information such as your child’s school, year group, your child’s current strengths, the areas they’re finding tricky, and what you’re hoping to achieve through additional tuition. This isn’t a test; it’s simply about understanding your child before we meet at the assessment and the goals for the future.
The Assessment
Our assessment is planned according to the data we gained from the initial phone call and is pitched according to a student’s current age group and the subject required: maths, English or both. It is typically an hour slot, where the student will attempt tasks in maths/English. From the answers obtained, this helps us compile a picture of secure concepts as well as concepts for additional coverage. As part of the assessment process, we give feedback on the tasks completed and suggestions for a plan moving forward.
The First Session: Getting to Know Each Other
The very first session is as much about building rapport as it is about the subject itself. A child who feels comfortable and unjudged will engage far more openly than one who feels under pressure from minute one. We also use this time to get a clearer sense of exactly where your child is with the subject; deepening our understanding from the initial picture we gained from the assessment.
A Typical Ongoing Session
Most sessions follow a similar rhythm:
- A quick check-in on how things have been going at school since we last met (is there anything they want to cover that week/general check-in on how they are)
- A review of homework completed. Homework is informed by concepts covered in session, and is an opportunity to reinforce learning on an independent level
- The main focus of the session — building a specific skill or working through a topic your child needs support with
- Plenty of encouragement and small wins along the way, not just correction
- A brief wrap-up, so your child leaves knowing what went well and any homework tasks issued
How Progress Is Tracked
After each session, we keep notes on what was covered, how your child got on, what we’ll focus on next as well as any homework tasks set. This means every session builds on the last, rather than starting from scratch each time — and you’re always able to ask how things are progressing, as here at Tip Top, we have an open door policy. All of our session feedback is accessible to you as a parent through TutorBird – a platform you’re given access to as part of the onboarding process.
At 6-monthly intervals, we also conduct reassessments, which gives quantifiable data on progress. As you can compare the initial data to the reassessment data to see in real numbers how your child has progressed in terms of attainment.
What Parents Can Expect to See
Progress isn’t always immediate or dramatic — it’s usually steady. Often the first sign is a child feeling a bit more confident bringing up the subject at home, well before it shows up in test results.
If you have any questions about how sessions work or want to arrange a first meeting, I’d love to hear from you!