year 1 tutor needed

[francescajoy]

I was sending my son to a private school to find that the local state primary (catholic) school had higher standards and were achieving far more. Within his class in the private school despite being the youngest in the year he was holding his own and was 'average' for the class. Goodness knows what the other parents would say if they realised just how low the standards are at the private school. As they are paying alot of money and like believe believed the sales pitch of smaller class sizes means a better education they do not want to know. Needless to say i have taken him out and am now trying to help him catch up.Unfortunately he does not like me doing sums or writing with him/. I try and make it fun so he doesn't notice but it is a battle. Does anyone know of any good Year 1 tutors in the Stafford area?

I don't know any in the Stafford area but if you are prepared to go into Birmingham there is a good one on Saturday afternoons at the MAC centre. However, as he is only year 1, I would be inclined to let him catch up naturally. My dd youngest in the year did not do much in Year 1 and is now doing great guns in year 2, now she is ready to progress.

This is a wind-up right?

Are you now home-educating your child? If so would recommend contacting an organisation such as Education Otherwise which has valuable info for parents about home educating.
Year 1 is still very early for formal learning such as writing and sums though - so wonder if you're expecting a bit too much. In reception most schools used play based learning methods so would suggest that you develop maths skills through activities like games.
If you have already transferred him to another school then would give him a bit more time to settle down first. Concentrate on the activities that he enjoys such as reading as it is not worth battling with your child.
Hope this helps

I can't think of a single situation when tutoring a Y1 child is helpful or beneficial.

If the new school is as good as you seem to think, then the teacher will be more than capable of enabling your child to settle in and fulfil his potential.

Actually - sometimes it can be beneficial. I work as a tutor (usually with KS2/3/4)children. I have taught a yr 1 child though. I was already tutoring her older brother and her mum was worried as she did not seem to be making progress with reading. We did lots of phonics with games and so on. She loved it (felt as grown up as her big bro) and began to make really good progress with her reading. (It took school a while to realise though as they had one of the terrible "you will read every book at this level before you go onto the next level" philosophies.) The child had started to get scared and lose confidence in her abilities which her mum very sensitively picked up on quickly. The tutoring intervention was timely and she started to really "fly" with her reading!

So don't say never - but it does depend on the child and whether the tutor can tailor the approach as well as the work to that age.

Op - if you want a tutor then I always think personal recommendation is best (If you ask around parents at your dc's old independent school you may be surprised to know how many are actually using tutors.) I have sometimes worked for this agency: www.select-tutors.co.uk/ but I am in Manchester, however they also say they cover Birmingham and West Midlands so you may be lucky.
I've found them rigorous in checking potential tutors and I don't think the fees are too expensive.

I'd beware of a lot of agencies though where you don't have a recommendation as some can seem to charge exorbitant prices (£40+ per lesson?) having sent a "consultant" out to assess your child and maybe got you worried about all sorts of concerns. IMO any initial assessment should be done by the tutor who is actually going to teach your child!

If your son is now in your local RC school (as I think may be the case from your post), how about waiting a bit to see how he does. As others have said, Yr ! is still very young and the school should be supporting him to catch up. Maybe review things in February and see how you go rom there?