What subjects do you teach ?
We help students primarily in the areas of Reading, Writing, Spelling, Comprehension, English and Maths - from Primary to Secondary. We also offer expert courses in Essay Writing, Study Skills and Intelligence Development. At appropriate times of the year we also offer Getting Ready For School (for the school starters) and exam preparation for Standard, Intermediate & Higher Grade English and Maths. Many students also attend for specific help with school entrance exams.
What ages do you teach ?
The majority of students we teach are between 5 and 18 years old. We also cater for adult students who need to "brush up" on their school knowledge, for example, a workplace examination or to improve their reading or writing skills.
Do you tutor exam preparation for selective school entrance ?
We do exam preparation for selective school entrance exams. It is important that you contact us well before the exams to give your child the best chance of success.
How do I know if my child is having trouble with their school work and what can I do about it ?
This is a tricky question to answer but one that is commonly thought about by parents. Previously, a parent could rely on parents' nights and the national assessments set in Scotland would indicate what level a child had reached in English and Maths. However, with the recent introduction of 'Curriculum for Excellence' in Scotland and the abolishment of these national assessments except for the end of Primary 4 and 7, more and more parents are asking us to provide a free educational assessment which can highlight any particular areas additional tuition may be of help.
How do I know that my child will improve ?
Your child will improve if they are supported at school, home and at Kip McGrath. Every child that attends tutoring each week and does all of their set homework will improve - both academically and in self confidence.
How long will it take to solve my child's problem ?
Every child is different and every problem is different. After the initial assessment, we will be able to provide an indication of how long tutoring may be required and your child's progress is monitored regularly by continuous assessment and we will also provide regular parental feedback. There is no obligation or contract to attend for any period of time. If, for whatever reason (e.g. change of financial circumstances), you decide you are no longer able to attend, all we ask is a weeks notice.
Can you tutor my child with a disability ?
There are many disabilities with varying levels of disorder. We always recommend that you seek professional advice on this question first, however we have taught students with disabilities such as ADHD, Aspergers, Dyslexia, Autism and others in the past. It is very important that we have an interview and assessment with you and your child before we can determine if we can effectively tutor them. Our main focus is to ensure that your child's disability will not interfere with their ability to learn in this environment. Please contact us to discuss your child's needs.
Will you come to my house to tutor ?
All tutoring is done within our Centre. This gives us the ability to provide the best facilities and teaching aids to meet the needs of your child and creates an optimal learning environment.
Do you tutor online ?
Online tutoring is currently being developed which will mimic the proven Kip McGrath method of tutoring delivered in the Centre. Due for release in 2013, it will be a great option if your child finds it difficult to regularly attend our Centre.
How does the initial assessment work ?
Many parents are concerned about how their children are performing at school and whether their children are at the appropriate level for their age and class. We provide a free, no obligation assessment and discuss the results with you in detail to determine exactly how your child is performing.
How long is each lesson ?
Lessons are 80 minutes long and students attend for one lesson a week. Some older children do attend more often, according to their needs. Even young children attend for 80 minutes - their lessons are broken up into 20 minute activities, designed to keep them keen and interested.
What times are the lessons held ?
There are a variety of lesson times available to suit you and your child's activities. The majority are after school during week days however we try to be flexible according to the availability of your child. Please contact us to discuss your needs.
Will my child get homework ?
Homework is an essential part of the Kip McGrath program, particularly for Reading students. We are aware of each student's school workload so set homework is generally limited to around half an hour each week. If you have difficulty getting your child to complete the homework, please contact us immediately.
How should I help my child while at Kip McGrath ?
Make your child's school teacher aware that you are getting your child tutored and ask to be kept up to date with your child's performance at school and any areas that the teacher believes needs attention. Set aside a place and a time for your child to do homework from both school and Kip McGrath and ensure that they complete it each week. Make sure that they attend their tutoring sessions each week - regularity is a major key to improving your child's results. Always let the tutor know if you have any concerns about the progress of your child or the type of work that they are doing.