OUR
SERVICES
We offer tuition to small groups of children, offering a very generous 1:4 tutor to pupil ratio. We only use qualified teachers who have relevant teaching experience of the new curriculum at the suitable level. Additionally, all of our tutors are hand picked through personal experience and undergo an Enhanced DBS check for your peace of mind.
The small groups enable the tutors to focus on key areas in the curriculum, such as comprehension, vocabulary as well as building mathematical skill and non-verbal understanding. The 11+ examination is designed to test the skills of children at speed, as such we ask that in preparation for the course your child reads widely (see reading suggestions) and they can answer times tables questions quickly and accurately. As part of the course, homework will be set weekly and this will continue over the holiday periods, we ask you to support your child in this important area.
We will start our service with a parent’s evening so you can see what it is we will cover in our tuition sessions. Reports will be written during the Spring and Summer terms. We run one-hour weekly sessions which are term time only. The children will be given some holiday homework to complete. Additional Easter and Summer days are also available.
Total Tutoring
Local 11+ Specialists
WHO
WE ARE
Vicky Collins Profile
Managing Director and Tutor
When teaching, I achieve engaged, motivated and well-behaved pupils. I have high expectations of pupils because that is what I set for myself. Through my natural empathy and rapport I quickly build a sense of each child’s motivators and with small groups I use these to achieve the best progress possible for your child. I am an analytical person and will be looking to achieve the best 11+ result for your child through exam technique, careful preparation and consistent understanding of the curriculum.
I have worked in many schools during my career and successfully built strong relationships with parents who considered me to be professional and supportive, my open and honest manner made it easy for parents to talk to me.
Key Experiences
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6 years teaching experience in both private and maintained schools
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Qualified Teacher with current experience teaching year 5 (new curriculum)
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Experience of coaching children for examinations
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Speed reader
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Clear analytical focus and examination analysis and technique
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Use of Mindful techniques to help with exam stress and nerves
Dominic Da Costa Profile
Director of Studies and Tutor
My teaching / tutoring style is one of fun, actively engaging children in their learning. For the last 6 years, I have been tutoring children specifically for the Buckinghamshire 11 plus examination, this includes three years of the new style of questions. I use a variety of quizzes, games and questions initially focusing on essential knowledge, then working on exam technique and speed as the year progresses and of course building the children’s vocabulary throughout the year. I achieve confident, happy pupils who are well prepared for the 11 plus.
I am an experienced teacher, having taught Year 4, 5 and 6, and at parents evenings always appreciate the positive parent’s feedback.
Key Experiences
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6 years 11+ tutoring experience both privately and with tuition companies
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Qualified Teacher with current experience teaching year 5 and 6 (new curriculum)
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Vast knowledge of time saving techniques for the 11+ exam
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Coaching in reading for speed and accuracy
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Mathematics specialist
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Strategies for questions children consider “unanswerable”
Term Dates
We will be runing a Summer school this year in preparation for the 11+ exam in September. The course will run for one week, from the 15 August - 19 August.
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Please contact us for any extra information
2016 -2017 School year
Term 1
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17 September 2016- 18 October 2016
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Term 2
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1 November 2016- 13 December 2016
Term 3
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14 January 2017- 7 February 2017
Term 5
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20 April 2017 - 23 May 2017
Term 4
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21 February 2017 - 28 March 2017
Term 6
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6 June 2017 - 15 July 2017
Prices
When you enroll with Total Tutoring a non-refundable deposit of £100 will be taken which will be used as part-payment for the first half-term of the course. In the unlikely event of you wishing to give notice, there is a notice period of 4 weeks for the course, notice should be given in writing.
About Us
We are two entrepreneurial teachers who enjoy working together. We want to help children have the best chance they can at passing the 11+ examination. We are both analytical and believe in giving children the tools, techniques and experience to achieve their potential.
Vicky Collins comes to Total Tutoring with experience of starting up a previous business and many years of experience in management and project management. She re-energised her teaching career after becoming a mother. Vicky says “One day I was at my son’s pre-school and I just remembered how much fun I had when I was teaching, it was a reawakening.” Vicky is a mother of three and this gives her perspective of the emotional journey as a parent. “It is a difficult balance, between a working for the 11+ and continuing with normal activities like piano lessons, sports and clubs. It is important to us at Total Tutoring that we achieve this balance.”
Dominic has been tutoring for many years for other companies and is enjoying targeting key areas of the curriculum as Director of Studies. Dominic says “I get great satisfaction from inspiring, teaching children new skills and seeing them achieve their potential.” Dominic works locally as a Year 6 teacher which gives him current perspective on the expected levels of the 11+ exam. “I am motivated to help children achieve the best that they can in the 11+ and it is this motivation which inspired me to set up Total Tutoring.”