FAQs/Terms and Conditions

What you can expect from me and what I expect from you

What if I don't have a laptop?

A laptop or a PC with webcam is the most convenient option, but the Zoom app is available on your tablet or phone. You will need to set yourself up to share your screen so a bit of practice on this before your first session would be helpful. Here's a link to the Zoom guide:-

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201379235-iOS-Screen-Sharing-with-the-Zoom-Desktop-Client

What is the policy on lateness or non-attendance to a session?

Sessions last for 55 minutes and begin and end promptly, in order to accommodate other students. If a student arrives late to the Zoom session, the session will still end at the scheduled time. There will be no proportionate refund of fees or credited time for a future session.

What is the policy on fees?

Once a date (or series of dates) is in the diary, fees need to be paid at least 48 hours prior to the session (or first session of a series). If a discount has been offered with a block booking, the fees for all sessions as invoiced are payable at least 48 hours prior to the first session. Payment should be made by BACS and full details will be on the invoice which I will email to you.

What happens if a session has to be cancelled?

If a session is cancelled by you 48 hours or more prior to the scheduled time, I will be happy to reschedule at a mutually convenient time at no additional charge. If it is less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled time, 100% of the session fee remains payable except in the event of exceptional unforeseen circumstances (such as a serious accident). It is your responsibility to ensure that you have internet access.
If I am forced to cancel the session more than 48 hours before the scheduled time, I will reschedule it at a mutually convenient time. If it is less than 48 hours before the scheduled time, I will either offer a rescheduled appointment at the earliest possible convenience or a refund - your choice.

Can a parent/carer observe the tutoring session?

Parents and carers are very welcome to observe the session in their own home. However, they should not attend the Zoom booking separately on their own device.

I'd like to make a booking for multiple students or join a small group - how does that work?

It may be that more than one student in your household would benefit from tutoring, or perhaps a small group of students from different households would like a group tutoring session. If this is the case, there will be a separate invoice for each student (all contact details will be required) which will incorporate all appropriate discounts. Each student will receive a separate invitation to the Zoom session. They should be on individual devices and do not need to be in the same house. All students will be able to see each other as well as me.
If you would like the benefit of the group discount but do not have a group already, please contact me to put your name down on a waiting list and when I have three names, I will open a group and contact you. The largest group would be four students. Students do not need to know each other or even be in the same area, but will need to be studying with the same exam board as each board has its own quirks! If you wish, you may begin with one to one tutoring and still put your name down for a group, when available.

What are the tutor's qualifications?

I have a Master of Arts in Education and a First Class Bachelor of Arts Degree in Humanities with English Language and Literature, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Studies in Education, a Diploma in English Language and a Diploma in Literature. I gained my PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status in 2004 and have worked full time as an English teacher in South West England since qualifying. During this time, I have taught courses through all of the major exam boards, including Cambridge IGCSE where I became a verified assessor in 2014. Since 2011, I have been a GCSE English examiner and later became a Team Leader, responsible for the support and training of examiners during the exam period. Most recently, I worked as the Head of English in an 11-16 secondary school with an intake of 850 to 900 students where I undertook extensive child protection training.
I decided to retire in Summer 2020 after leading the Centre Assessed Grades process for English Language and Literature for the 2020 exam entry cohort. My knowledge of exams and processes is fully up to date.
I have a current enhanced DBS certificate, which is available for viewing on request.