Tutoring

Tutoring is a common tool used to overcome gaps in a child or young person’s learning. However, despite the obvious potential for increased academic outcomes, it is rarely successful on its own.

Typically, the reason that tutoring is put in place is that the child or young person has significant gaps in their knowledge, caused by low school attendance or additional learning needs. However, placing them in an unfamiliar setting, with a stranger, and expecting positive engagement and raised academic performance is highly unlikely.

We recognise this and take a very different approach to our tutoring service, which is based on trauma informed principles and places the child’s voice at its heart. In line with the values of Alternative Pathways we take the following approach:

" I am absolutely delighted, this is first time my son has engaged with any learning in as long as i can remember"

Parent of year 11 student

Safety

All of our tutors work hard to build trusting relationships with the young people we work with before any academic work takes place. This enables us to build healthy attachments and to work with the child or young person to identify safe spaces for the tutoring to take place.

While this might sound unconventional it is actually highly beneficial. The young person knows and trusts the person they are going to be working with, is comfortable in the workspace and is far more likely to remain engaged in the process.

Remember, there’s a reason the child or young person has rejected education, and not feeling safe is likely to be a huge part of it.

Bravery

For a child or young person who has been out of education for an extended period or that knows they are significantly behind their peers, the prospect of learning can be a daunting proposition. We acknowledge this and we work with each young person to take risks, knowing that they trust their tutor. These may start off small but we are ambitious and we empower the individual to learn and to grow as an individual.

Inclusivity

On their own no tutor can truly make a lasting difference, no matter how skilled they are. We recognise this and work collaboratively. This means involving the child or young person’s personal community, whether that be family, school, other professionals or anybody else relevant to their life. Taking this approach enables us to not only better understand the individual but to share each celebration with those that matter.

We are always welcoming, whether that be to the child or young person or those close to them. These relationships foster a shared motivation for engagement and success.

Relational

We recognise that the children and young people we work with have complex, and often traumatic, life stories and work with them to make meaning out of their experiences, always recognising the impact of shame on an individual.

In any educational relationship there is likely to be a power imbalance between teacher and student, however, we seek to redress this and to foster mutual respect. We all have our own stories and our own roles to play in one another’s lives and we seek connections that motivate each child or young person to want to learn and achieve.

This approach has proven highly successful and is something we are extremely proud of. We will always work with referrers to make sure we meet their needs but it is important that they embrace our values and approach.

If you would like further information about our tutoring, get in touch below.

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