Frequently Asked Questions
Regular Home Tuition
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How long will it take for my child to improve?
- How do you monitor my child's progress?
- My child often has a heavy work load from school, what if they do not have time to do the homework tasks you set?
- What is included in the weekly tutorials?
- What happens if my child is ill or we need to cancel the occasional tutorial?
- I am interested in tuition from OWLS for my child, what do I do next?
Internet Tuition
- How are the lessons taught over the internet?
- What equipment do I need for internet lessons?
- What are the benefits of internet tuition?
How long will it take for my child to improve?
This depends entirely on individual circumstances, however we can say with confidence that each and every lesson pupils will learn new skills and progress. Furthermore, as the tuition is specifically focused on individual children, tutorials can push pupils beyond the levels set out in the National Curriculum for their age groups.
How do you monitor my child's progress?
Progress is monitored in the following ways:
- By setting homework tasks which enable us to establish if pupils can implement skills taught during tutorials.
- Through regular assessment which forms a basis for the content of future tutorials.
- By setting informal tests to ascertain what skills and information have been retained, and which need to be revised and practised.
My child often has a heavy work load from school, what if they do not have time to do the homework tasks you set?
Homework tasks can be set however we do not enforce homework and we work closely with parents and pupils to accommodate their needs.
What is included in the weekly tutorials?
The tutorials include:
- One to one hourly lessons from a degree qualified teacher.
- Record keeping of pupils' progress and continual assessment.
- Marking and detailed feedback on homework tasks.
- Marking and advice on exam coursework.
- Parent feedback time available after every tutorial
- 'Emergency' sessions available each evening for that last minute panic about homework, essays or exams (internet only).
What happens if my child is ill or we need to cancel the occasional tutorial?
We will endeavour to rearrange the tutorial to uphold continuity.
I am interested in tuition from OWLS for my child, what do I do next?
We believe it is important that pupils, parents and tutors 'meet' before any tutorials are arranged. This gives pupils and parents an opportunity to ask any questions they may have and the tutor can also explain in detail how the lessons are organized.
Parents who are interested in tuition for their children can contact us now to speak to Ms Beverley Hoccom, who can answer any questions and arrange an unconditional meeting with a suitable tutor.
Parents can either arrange the weekly tutorials during the meeting or telephone at a later date to make the arrangements.
Internet Tuition
Ms Beverley Hoccom can arrange a web meeting, over the telephone, when one or both parents can be present with the child, and they will be able to see and speak to the tutor . The free “taster” tutorial can also be organized during the meeting.
How are the lessons taught over the internet?
The lessons are taught in exactly the same way as regular tutorials, however the pupil and tutor see and hear each other with the use of webcams.
During tutorials the pupil makes records of writing tasks, plans, step by step instructions and explanations from the tutor, by typing them onto their screen in a box next to the video image of the tutor. The notes can then be sent to the tutor for checking and the whole lesson is stored on the pupil's computer at the end of the tutorial.
The child can also print out the lesson content and keep the sheets in a file for quick reference and revision. Notes are transfered between pupil and tutor in seconds, giving the tutor the chance to support the child at each stage of their planning and drafting.
Handwritten texts can also be exchanged with the use of a scanner. This is all extremely easy to do and the tutor is always there to talk the pupil through each part of the tutorial.
What equipment do I need for internet lessons?
You simply need a computer and a webcam (with microphone included). Most webcams come with microphones and start from approximately £15.
What are the benefits of internet tuition?
The major benefits are as follows:
- Each lesson takes place in the comfort of your own home, without the interruption from a visiting tutor or the inconvenience of having to transport children to a tutor's house.
- FREE 'emergency' session time is put aside each evening, for that last minute panic about homework, essays, coursework or exams.
- Internet tuition is more flexible and lessons can be more easily rearranged as no time is wasted on travel.
- 'OWLS' can be much more selective about which tutors we take on, as with internet tuition we are not restricted by where the tutor lives. With regular tuition, a tutor must be found within a reasonable distance of the pupil's home leaving less choice. However we choose the most suitable tutors, making them available to teach any pupil whose parents request tuition from 'OWLS'.
- Step by step instructions on how to analyse texts, plan essays, improve writing style and vocabulary, tips on grammar, punctuation and spelling, etc., are all stored every lesson on your computer. This is extremely useful for the child's revision and it also gives parents the opportunity to see what their children have been learning during each lesson.
- In our experience pupils tend to be more enthusiastic about having tutorials over the internet and therefore they are more positive about taking on extra lessons after school.