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Original poster

Maths GCSE can't afford tutor- alternatives?

33 replies

BlackHillsofDakota · 26/04/2018 16:03

My dd is struggling. School have recommended a tutor but we simply cannot afford it. I was looking online at these subscriptions where they can learn online for £9.99 or £15.99 a month.
Has anyone used these and can recommend them or have any other suggestions. I really struggle to understand the work and am not able to teach her although I help her with revision etc as much as I can.

OP posts:
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IdaDown · 30/05/2018 16:08

If your DD is dyslexic then this (probably) will be affecting her progression. Dyslexia affects ability to hold, store, recall and organise information.

I’d be asking School what they have inplace to help your DD - dyslexia diagnosis or not. Nothing wrong in explaining to the teacher if you feel unable to help (if you are not confident in your own maths skills).

It could be beneficial to go back to basics with maths skills to find gaps and build confidence. IXL maths has an easy layout by year and topic. Ask school what they use and for a log in.

KnownUnknowns · 20/05/2018 19:36

Our school will not help unless your dc is failing according to their progress 8 results. So that to me means late developers - summer borns are not given enough support and you either pay for a tutor - which we have done or use hegarty maths or some other maths based program....and given that my ds's maths class are now only 75% teacher taught - we can see how this is going. Maths teaching is very poor and it seems to be getting worse.

freya43 · 19/05/2018 13:58

The free Hegarty Maths stuff is now at www.pastpapersz.com

Snape · 07/05/2018 21:02

Www. Onmaths.com is fab free and gives predicted practice papers and you tube explanations. I’m doing my maths GCSE at the grand age of 35 and this is honestly brilliant

mumsbeentoasda · 07/05/2018 20:58

Sorry that is KeshMath. Also look for Eric Woo on Youtube, he is fantastic at explaining tricky concepts.

mumsbeentoasda · 07/05/2018 20:57

Sorry to hear your child is struggling. As other posters have mentioned, MathsGenie, Kashmath, Piximath are all really good resources. I just found one more today: . Simon Deacon on youtube. He works through GCSE papers online, which is great because a lot of it is technique, and knowing which tool in your tool box to use. It is quite daunting and you do need to be mature to wade through all of this - I am a math teacher, so I uses these resources all the time, and think they are fantastic. Good luck.

Kenlee · 06/05/2018 00:07

BBC bitesize....My daughter swears by it. She took her GCSE maths early ...A*

beantltc · 29/04/2018 15:52

I use this all the time- www.youtube.com/channel/UCBgvmal8AR4QIK2e0EfJwaA

purplegreen99 · 28/04/2018 21:23

The school should provide some opportunity for individual help like an after school maths clinic. I think this is a fairly standard thing for schools to do.

Do you know anyone with dcs doing A level maths who could maybe go through some of the work with your ds is finding difficult? A friend's daughter did this with dd and she found it hugely helpful. I did pay her, but not at the kind of rates a tutor would charge.

Toomanytealights · 28/04/2018 12:54

Am I the only one thinking how shite said school must be? Their job is to teach and help all its pupils reach their full potential whatever the level. You don't just throw your hands up and hand them over to somebody else when the going gets tough. They should be providing support not expecting you to pay for it.Shock

TheKimJongUnofFeminism · 28/04/2018 09:59

Honestly, before you do anything else, go back to the school. Ask them what their plan is.

Alienspaceship · 28/04/2018 08:52

Is there any way you can get together with 2/3 others and have small group tutoring and split the cost? We do this but I appreciate this still may not be financially viable.

LARLARLAND · 28/04/2018 08:46

If she does have dyscalculia she should get support for it within school and the teacher should alter the teaching methods for your dd so she can take in the information better. She would also get extra exam time.

Oscha · 28/04/2018 08:42

I tutor English and always keep a few slots for families who can’t afford my full price, which I offer either significantly more cheaply, or for free. It might be worth asking on local parenting groups (FB?) whether there are any Maths tutors around who have a similar set up.

Littlelambpeep · 28/04/2018 07:54

A level

Littlelambpeep · 28/04/2018 07:54

What about using an An Level maths student as it may be more affordable?

PettsWoodParadise · 28/04/2018 07:51

We have used Khan but be careful as it is US the teaching methods differ and can be confusing for some, can be helpful.

Some schools offer mentors from further up the school, it helps them with revision and helps the struggling student with the areas they need help in.

lou1221 · 28/04/2018 07:50

My maths, BBC bitesize, Corbett maths, khan academy. Loads of videos on YouTube as well. Mathswatch is good too.

BigGreenOlives · 28/04/2018 07:43

Some schools offer online tutoring in school time, it’s done by Skype or something similar. Are the school able to support her?

Original poster
BlackHillsofDakota · 28/04/2018 07:41

Thanks all. I've had a look at some of the ones recommended and think we'll try some of the free ones first Grin
She is in the bottom set for maths, always has been and I think the majority of time seems to be managing behaviour rather than teaching as its full of kids that just don't
care.
I think it's very possible she has dyscalcula aa she is also mildly dyslexic. However I'm not sure what difference it would make if she had an actual diagnosis.
School have told us what books to buy etc but that's it. It's hard she's top of the class and they are always telling her how greats she's doing which is lovely but when top of the class means you're getting a 2 or 3 it's not getting you ready to pass a gcse.

OP posts:
TheKimJongUnofFeminism · 28/04/2018 07:30

Have you talked to the school about why they are recommending a tutor? How are they planning to help and support her?

LARLARLAND · 28/04/2018 07:28

If your DD is struggling have you considered that she may have dyscalculia?

TomHardysBitontheside · 28/04/2018 07:24

Hegarty Maths is great. Both of mine have used him. Their school gives them access.

thisagain · 28/04/2018 07:19

I second maths watch. I think Maths can quite easily be improved in this way.

JustRichmal · 27/04/2018 08:35

CGP and Letts revision guides are good. Also I agree with Khan Academy videos being good. You say you cannot do maths, so why not learn with her? A teacher who is learning themselves will be able to see what the student cannot understand.

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