Reviews

The sessions contributed so much to my learning and the 11+. I learnt the most I could, hopefully enough for me to be able to pass. With your help, I had learnt enough ...for me not to struggle ... and I was prepared for the questions 

Thank you for everything you taught me and it helped me lots. I really appreciate it you’ve helped me so much this past year with my 11+ I couldn’t be happier!

You have given [my daughter] so much confidence and she has thoroughly enjoyed her 11+ lessons, which is all testament to you and your engaging and motivating approach. She has been so lucky to have you. 

I will spread the word of "Serena's Tuition"- in fact only at drop off this morning, a friend told me she'd signed her daughter up for KS2 booster sessions after [my daughter's] high recommendation! 

My daughter started her learning experience with Serena’s Tuition in the summer of 2022, initially attending 1-2-1 sessions and then joining the small group booster maths sessions, then later the English booster sessions. Serena’s thoughtful planning ensures that lessons are fun, engaging and collaborative whilst still informative. I found that the English booster covered much more than just English as there is a topic each term which also covers history and Geography. Lessons are not always held in the classroom sitting behind a desk, just a few of the activities undertaken have been baking, treasure hunts and code breakers.  Children are rewarded not only for correct answers but also for their positive attitude and good work.

Thorough feedback is received after each lesson which I found to be really helpful in terms of understanding what was learnt and what may require a greater focus. The children’s learning is reinforced with homework, a mix of information tools, worksheets, games and often a practical activity. Assistance with homework is always available if required.

My daughter joined Serena’s Tuition as an unconfident mathematician. Despite some resistance from my daughter, Serena managed to connect and engage with her, and my daughter has flourished. She is heading off to secondary school in September with sound knowledge and the ability to tackle the next part of her learning journey. My other daughter will be joining Serena’s tuition once she joins year 3 and I have recommended Serena’s Tuition of many other parents.

Serena’s Tuition is entirely unique as her passion for teaching shines through with such innovative and exciting lessons! I have had two daughters work with Serena and they have genuinely loved their time with her.Lessons in measuring have involved making mocktails and soup,persuasive writing based on India has been complemented with the tasting of samosas.These practical and hands on approaches make the pupils learning experiences rich and meaningful and this has really inspired my girls and given them a full,broad experience.Communication with parents has been second to none with a thorough and detailed lesson plan sent to parents days before the lesson so we know what’s being covered.The post lesson feedback is also incredible.It is always very promptly sent and is highly personalised with specific examples of successes and struggles from the lessons.My daughters’ progress is measurable as a significant improvement in results both at Serena’s and at school.Their attitude to learning and their confidence has also soared during their time with Serena.She has built up an incredible tutoring school where care,thought,excellence shines through in every single lesson! 

 Serena’s superpower is instilling a love of learning in all the children she teaches through her boundless energy and enthusiasm, as well as the meticulous planning of interesting and engaging lessons.  Lessons include practical activities to reinforce learning through fun and immersive experiences (mocktail making to understand volume/measurements; eating gruel and studying via candlelight to pique children’s imagination around what it was like to be a child in the Victorian era; taking the children on local field trips to conduct surveys and compile data; using co-ordinates to locate hidden Easter eggs; organising a Q&A session with the local MP - these are just a few recent activities which spring to mind but there have been many, many more examples).  They may be titled ‘maths/English boosters’ but in reality her lessons are so much more than that: they include topics which help the children to understand and develop an interest in other cultures and the world around them, whilst developing core skills in maths and English. The sessions involve games and other activities which require teamwork and collaboration with other children.  My son comes out of Serena’s lessons each week full of enthusiasm and excitement to tell me what he has learnt; his confidence in all areas of his learning has increased massively since starting with Serena and this has been reflected in his attainment at school.  Serena rewards grit and determination, as well as ability, which is so important in our performance-driven world.   

The detailed feedback I receive via email each week from Serena is phenomenal; it helps me to understand what has gone well and what needs further work and how I can best support my son, which is a godsend as one of two full-time, working parents.  She provides interesting, often bespoke, homework to further reinforce learning and many of these activities are online games which appeals to this generation of learners.   

Serena also tutored my eldest son through Years 4 and 5, up to sitting the 11+, after he had missed a large amount of school because of the lockdown; I believe the unique support, guidance and tuition provided by Serena at every step of the way was instrumental in helping my son to pass both the Kent and the Medway tests and has also stood him in good stead for the subjects being covered in maths in Year 7 at Gravesend Grammar School.  Each week she provided pacy lessons which covered a lot of ground, but still remained fun and engaging with practical activities designed to make learning difficult concepts fun (for example, nets of cubes modelling etc.)  Alongside the academic learning, Serena ensured that the children knew how to use ‘box breathing’ and other mindfulness techniques to help them manage their nerves and emotions in the lead up to the tests.  

I would wholeheartedly recommend Serena to any parents who are considering tuition for their child and want them to experience a fun, positive and engaging learning environment with a personalised and holistic approach throughout. 

If we were restricted to one word to describe Serena approach to teaching, it would be inspirational. We think it is fair to say our son falls within “gifted and talented”, Serena approach provides him with the right level of challenge to stimulate his desire to continue learn and to push himself. After each tuition session, our son is enthused and excited to the extent he is bouncing and wants to tell us all he has learned, as well as repeat activities and challenges Serena has imparted to him. Most importantly, our son considers Serena one of his great friends.