What exactly is tutoring?

Tutoring is providing extra help, work, or support for students of all ages, to aid with their current studies. Our students in previous years are from a range of backgrounds and disciplines. We offer services for the core subjects- mathematics, English and science- from Key Stage 1 to A-levels, plus everything in between!

Tutoring is for everyone, regardless of ability.

Has your child fallen behind in class? We can help them to catch up. Does your child struggle to understand a topic that a teacher may have skimmed over? We can cover these topics at your child’s pace. Is your child one of the top students at school? We can help stretch their abilities further with advanced work.

We have also previously helped students with a range of disabilities that may affect how they learn.

Where is Sirius Tutoring based, and what hours are you open?

You can find us at 838 Edenfield Road, Norden, Rochdale, OL12 7SL.

The centre is open Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at 4.10pm-7pm, and Saturday mornings from 9:30am-12:20pm.

How do I go about enrolling my child at Sirius?

Your child will be invited for a free assessment. The assessment is comprised of a short maths test, a short writing task and a spelling test dependent on your child’s age. This allows us to determine strengths and any areas of weakness based on your child’s mathematical understanding and their English reading and writing skills. We can then discuss your goals and design a programme for your child.

Who will be tutoring my child?

Your child will be taught by one of a team of qualified tutors with a wide range of experience. Your child’s tutor will be chosen in relation to the subject matter or experience required. Tutors will be ‘assigned’ in order to maintain a stable environment for your child. We understand that the student-tutor relationship is essential to helping your child improve.

How will my child be tutored?

We at Sirius pride ourselves on human interaction with students. Computers may be used as a back up to support sessions, but never as a primary tool. We believe that interacting with students on a personal level is much more beneficial than sitting somebody at a computer for an hour or two. Your child will be part of a small group of no more than three students to ensure that their voice is heard.

Homework will be set to monitor your child’s progress unless otherwise requested. It is imperative that your child completes their homework and returns it the following week. We provide all books and stationery.

How long are the sessions?

Sessions are typically booked in blocks of 80 minutes.

Weekday blocks are from 4:10-5:30pm or 5:40-7pm.

Saturday blocks are 9:30-10:50am or 11:00am-12:20pm.

What if I can’t make a session?

Regular attendance is encouraged to ensure progress, but we do recognise that absences may occur. Please do try to inform us in advance (ideally one week). A free catch up session is provided in place of the missed session.

Will I receive any feedback on my child’s progress?

Yes, we always provide the opportunity for feedback at the end of each session. Your tutor will inform you of the subject content that your child has studied, your child’s grasp of the topic, and plans for the following week.

How do I pay fees?

Fees are payable by cash or cheque only. We offer a discounted rate for multiple bookings.

Please contact Miranda Blackman on 01706 868950 for price rates.

Can you help with grammar school Entrance exams/the 11 plus?

We provide resources tailored to mastering the 11 plus Entrance exams; from covering essential topics in advance to providing mini tests across the key subjects that your child will take an exam in.

Each summer, we provide mock exam days that replicate the Entrance exam so that your child will know exactly what to expect. These have proved very popular in helping children feel prepared.

We advise enrolling your child early to allow them to adjust to the requirements of the 11 plus exam. Students who have longer to prepare are more confident when sitting the exam than those who leave it too late.

I’m still not sure if tutoring is for me/my child.

Please take a look around our website for more information including testimonials.

Alternatively, why not book a free assessment and find out more about how Sirius Tutoring can help you.

Still have questions? Contact Miranda Blackman on 01706 868950.