Welcome to
Headway Tutors was started by two teachers and continues to provide highly skilled teachers and tutors to families both nationally and internationally. Using its own purpose-built progress tracking software POGO we can be sure that each lesson with one of our dedicated professionals brings your child one step closer to their learning goals.
Headway Tutors has been providing face to face and online tuition for 6 years. Whatever your request we can find the perfect tutor to suit your family’s needs.
We have a range of services to suit all budgets and requirements. These are delivered by carefully selected and fully DBS checked educators who have a wealth of experience behind them as well as the full support of the Headway team.
Select one of the services to learn more, or contact us directly to speak to one of the team.
Our Services
While many families still prefer face-to-face tutoring, recent changes in how schools have been delivering their lessons have converted many to online tutoring.
Benefits include:
- A wider range of tutors to choose from as there are no geographical constraints.
- Lower costs as tutors do not need to travel.
- The computer-based tutoring session may appeal to some children rather than sitting at a table completing worksheets.
- We use the latest technology to ensure full interaction between student and tutor.
- Work is set, in accordance with your child’s needs and learning goals – in the same way as with a home tutor.
- You can opt to have a mix of home and online sessions – everything/anything is possible.
Our in-home option is still our most popular service. Our students look forward to their weekly individually tailored sessions.
How it works?
We conduct an initial free assessment based on phone or Zoom conversations, school reports and a review of student’s work.
We then carefully select the correct tutor for you.
Where does the tutoring happen?
All tuition is delivered in the comfort of your home. We also offer online tuition; this is a very popular option and we use the best software available.
The Tutors:
All our tutors are carefully selected and interviewed by our team. We have a three-step interview process:
1) The TutorCruncher biography and résumés are discussed over the phone (with all tutors).
2) Face to face interview where all interviewees are given a variety of scenarios so we can assess how they teach.
- Security checks completed (all our tutors have a DBS)
- Qualification check
- Safeguarding Checks
3) Final meeting with the prospective tutor where Headway’s strict code of conduct is discussed and signed before any work begins with one of our families.
Our weekly group sessions are a great way to give your child a focused and collaborative approach to their 11+ journey.
Why choose group tuition?
- Collaborative learning as carried out at school
- School lesson structure
- Teaching and planning by qualified teachers
- Affordable
- Small group sizes
What will be delivered?
11 plus preparation and KS2 confidence and consolidation in maths and English:
- Maths – curriculum coverage & extension; problem solving; and non-verbal reasoning
- English – creative writing; comprehension; grammar; and verbal reasoning
When and Where?
Wednesday (in person) and Thursday (online) – during the school term time. To see our term dates please click here.
- Maths- 16:30-17:30
- English- 17:30-18:30
The Exchange
Twickenham
TW1 1BE
(Opposite the train station)
How much will it cost?
Each hour-long session will cost £25 (£20 online)
Can my child only attend the English or maths session?
Yes.
How many students will be in each session?
All group sessions will have a maximum of 8 students.
How can I secure a space?
To register your interest in the group sessions please contact us ASAP as spaces for the year are limited.
The focus of our mock sessions is to put minds at rest and prepare our students for the real entrance exam.
When?
- Monday 26th October 2020
- Tuesday 27th October 2020
- Wednesday 28th October 2020
All sessions will start promptly at 09:00 (so please arrive in good time) and finish at 12:00.
Where?
The Exchange, Twickenham, TW1 1BE
(Opposite the train station)
What?
Monday 26th October:
Maths: How to approach a maths paper, where to gain the ‘must have’ marks and how to avoid careless errors.
Problem solving: How to solve the problems and using the inverse.
Non-verbal reasoning: Exposure to common patterns and techniques provided to approach challenging questions.
*All sessions will be based upon 11 plus papers and all sessions will last for approximately 1 hour
Tuesday 27th October:
Creative writing session: Sessions will include- planning, structure and content.
Comprehension: Techniques for written and multiple choice papers, tips to differentiate between retrieval, inference and vocabulary questions.
Verbal reasoning: Exposure to common patterns and techniques provided to approach challenging questions.
*All sessions will be based upon 11 plus papers and all sessions will last for approximately 1 hour
Wednesday 28th October:
Mock exams:
- Maths paper
- English paper
- Reasoning papers
All sessions will feature:
Exam technique:
- How to avoid silly mistakes
- Making every second count
- What working out to show
- Tackling the toughest of questions
- Expert advice on everything from using diagrams and visual aids through to checking whether answers are sensible
Handling time pressure:
- Students will be given a specified time to answer questions. This will simulate the time available in a real exam
- Advice on when to stop attempting a question and move on to the next one
What happens after?
The papers will be marked and feedback will be provided to you and your tutor via email. The feedback will clearly highlight the areas to address before January 2021 arrives.
Who plans and delivers the sessions?
The sessions have all been carefully planned by our directors both of whom work in independent schools in West London. The sessions will be delivered by qualified teachers.
What is the price?
- The cost of the three-day workshop is £210
- Alternatively, £75 per day (Monday & Tuesday)
- The cost of attending just the final day (Wednesday) for the full mock exams and receive feedback will be £100
To reserve a space at our October 2020 mock exam workshop, please contact us below.
Headway LIVE KS2 Booster Sessions
Give your child the support and boost to their school journey with Headway Tutors’ Small Group Live Sessions.
All of our online groups are taught on Zoom by qualified teachers who know the Key Stage 2 curriculum inside and out. By capping our group sizes to only 10 students your child will get the attention that they need to excel in class. We help your child prepare for school in a positive and encouraging online learning environment with real teachers and other real children.
Headway LIVE can help you take control of your child’s learning by building structure and normalcy into their routine this year – without taking on the extra workload yourself.
We offer either extension or booster sessions in both English and maths, depending on what your child needs. Our groups are designed for children aged 8-11. If you are unsure which group your child would benefit from please call or email one of the team to discuss.
Headway LIVE includes the following:
- A program that is in line with the National Curriculum.
- Socialisation with peers and a teacher
- Weekly homework
- Parents receive regular updates on progress
Whether joining to extend or support we help children develop learning skills for life.
To learn more book your child on to our course for FREE. After your trial class, lessons are only £10 (+vat) per lesson.
Free Trial
Welcome to our daily LIVE lessons
As well as high quality 121 tutoring Headway also offers daily classes for students in years 1-6.
Our 45 minute lessons, planned and taught by qualified teachers, are designed to support the great work that happens in school. Each lesson has a homework task and other extension tasks.
For your free trial please contact one of the team.
FREE TRIAL
Schools
Headway Tutors was conceived in one school and we now work very closely with a number of educational establishments – so close in fact that both of Headway’s directors are still in the classroom every day!
We are able to provide a range of services to schools, including one-to-one tutoring sessions either during the school day, out of term-time, or evenings and weekends.
We are pleased to be able to offer our schools’ support services on-site or even at the student’s home if that is more beneficial.
Headway Tutors has the tools, experience and staff to help bridge any gap between one-to-one support and a child’s school journey.
We work with some schools to provide home tuition over holiday periods to provide continuity. We also provide home schooling for young people who are, for whatever reason, unable to attend school in person.
Please get in touch to discuss how we can work with you and your school.
Client Info
2020-2021 Academic Year
Our term dates are kept in line with local authorities to help with your planning. Please note that sessions are available over the half-terms. All dates are inclusive.
Autumn term 2020
7th September to 20th December
Half term: 26th October to 1st November
Spring term 2021
4th January to 31st March
Half term: 15th to 21st February
Summer term 2021
19th April to 25th July
Half term: 31st May to 6th June
This page is currently being updated with the latest exam dates, please check back for more details or contact us.
Please click on the name of the school below to learn more about admissions.
Progress Tracking
What is POGO Progress?
Pogo Progress is designed to help with your understanding of your child’s learning and to increase a student’s level of engagement with their tutoring. It will give you greater confidence in your tutor’s curriculum knowledge and provide you with consistent updates. This means no more waiting until parents’ evenings to find areas of strength and areas with which to assist your child.
How does it raise standards?
All our tutors plan and deliver sessions based upon the curriculum statements. This gives us complete confidence that your child’s goals are being met. The tutors have access to recommended resources that accompany the curriculum statements.
What does this mean for us and you?
Headway’s tutors can now raise standards and deliver high-quality and relevant lessons for your child’s individual goals. POGO’s comprehensive curriculum for each year group and subject provides clear learning objectives, tailored to Headway Tutors and is in line with the National Curriculum.
Case Studies
Please click the links below to read case studies from tutors and students.
More about Headway Tutors
Meet Chris
An avid traveller and lover of languages, Chris’s passion for teaching was born in South America. Working as a TEFL teacher in Costa Rica and then Brazil, it didn’t take him long to realise the profound impact that individualised teaching could have on helping others.
Returning to the UK, he studied education at St Mary’s University which propelled him into the classroom. With over 8 years of teaching experience, Chris has worked at two very high achieving schools in West London.
What Chris has to say:
The memories of my time in South America have always stuck with me. I was blown away by the progress a student could make in a personal session, and it made me want to bring that to as many people as possible.
How it all began
Over a coffee in the staff room one day, two teachers discussed their after-work engagements.
‘Two tonight, three tomorrow,’ one said. ‘You?’
‘Same, three tonight and three tomorrow,’ replied the other.
Laps around the park? Beers at the pub?
Not quite.
This was Chris Wordsworth and Ross Montague back in 2014 chatting about the students they were tutoring. Infectious in their dedication, they were receiving constant calls for more sessions to the point where they both reached capacity. And so, Headway Tutors was born.
The company has grown completely organically; predominantly through recommendation (and also playground chatter!). Now with students ranging from EYFS to A Levels, tutors are connected to families across London and internationally. Headway Tutors prides itself on recruiting qualified teachers and subject specialists who work together in a uniquely personal way.
With Chris at the helm and Business Manager Clare Thomson’s experience in operations ensures that all client requests are handled quickly and sessions run smoothly. Having taken both of her daughters through the 11 plus and tutoring process, Clare is able to talk to parents as a parent and is always on hand to answer questions and provide support.
The inception of POGO in 2018 revolutionised the Headway learning journey, ensuring parents receive regular feedback through continuous assessment. The high standard of teaching is maintained via an online system showcasing curriculum statements which are then marked off at the end of every session by the tutor. This creates continuity between the goals set during the initial assessment and the progress of the student.
Despite growing exponentially, the approach that Headway Tutors takes remains the same. At the heart of the business, people connect with people, understanding what makes the perfect match for student and tutor. Once that match is found, the rest is simple: Passionate teachers help students to become the best they can be.
Headway Tutors Social
Headway Tutors
Our tutor will come to your home and teach according to the goals established at the consultation. Some students decide to have homework help and a recap of concepts taught in school, others work on missed building blocks. Most of our parents decide to have a combination of the two.
After each session our tutors offer a short period of time to recap to the parent what has been taught in that lesson, explain any homework and then advise on how you can offer further support.
Each tutor reports on our online database what was taught in the lesson. This informs us at Headway what is being covered and to ensure the personal student plan and targets are being achieved. With this information the tutor and the senior leaders, who both have many years of teaching in a leading West London prep school, will create an end of term report that celebrates progress and provides the next steps for your child’s future learning.
We offer this to all students, including: EYFS, KS1, KS2, 11+ and KS3. At Headway we use a variety of resources to fully engage with and appeal to all learning styles. All of our students also have access to our online Maths and English training programme, where you too can track your child’s progress.
Our local knowledge of all of West London’s secondary schools makes Headway a great choice for assisting your child with their 11+ exams.
All our passionate and dedicated tutors are fully DBS checked.
Headway Tutors
Join Miss Shine as she shares her top tips to get children reading. Can you guess who she is dressed up as?
Great article in the FT this weekend by The Undercover Economist. "Small-group teaching is one of few approaches that have been rigorously proven to improve a pupil’s progress..." https://t.co/aF0mGRmxTO @TimHarford @NTProgramme
Our hardworking tutees have received offers from St Paul's, Westminster, Latymer Upper, LEH, Hampton and King's College Wimbledon. Well done to every Headway tutee and everyone involved in their journey. Call us to start your 2022 11+ journey https://t.co/d6cRqtv1A4
Afternoon 🙂 We are looking for an online Spanish teacher - if this is you please get in touch. Must have QTS and be familiar with GCSE syllabus #mfltwitterati
If you can't join us for one of our free workshops over half term then maybe you can try one of these with your kids. https://t.co/YUPHDZRB7C
11 plus group sessions in Barnes! Contact us now; limited availability.
#Barnes #Tutoring #Education https://t.co/pYmWeuTcaj
Contact us now! Limited places available. #11plus #Richmond #Barnes #Tutoring
https://t.co/CqnCWmd1IC https://t.co/a7QCyAdQ9m
GOOGLE REVIEWS
cottersb
11:49 12 Nov 20
Jade has worked with my daughter over her 11+ exams and beyond. I couldn’t rate her highly enough. My daughter is a worrier and has moved from struggling to confident and is well within the expected level for her age, under jades tutorship. Jade genuinely has a passion for maths and it comes through in all she does. Can I give her a 10 out five stars ⭐️?
Flappy W
14:13 29 Jul 20
My daughter has been working with Anthony for almost two months now. He is very flexible in terms of timings and has helped her enormously with her maths. Her confidence has grown and she is better placed to take her GCSE this coming summer (whatever form it may take!!)
Sinem Erenturk
18:33 17 Jul 20
We searched for support for our late summer born boys and applied to Headway Tutors this year. Thanks to them we met a very good teacher. Katie is a knowledgable teacher who is customizing her teaching style according to child's needs and approach to learning. She's working with tangible targets for each session and updating them according to child's needs. She's very creative and motivating all through the sessions.
Rebecca Huffine
12:22 17 Jul 20
Rebecca is a superb tutor. If only you could clone her. She’s the perfect mix of supporting and pushing, teaching and challenging. It’s obvious she genuinely loves teaching. I’ve also been impressed with Headway Tutors. Communication is consistent and I feel valued.
Jane Price
12:00 04 Jun 20
She is absolutely wonderful and amazing! She brings so much energy, enthusiasm and positivity to her sessions. Its really boosted our daughter's confidence, she is learning loads, engaged and really looks forward to her sessions. The work has been varied and also had good repetition. Thank you!!! She is a ray of sunshine everyday!
Paul Fondie
20:39 20 May 20
Exceeded my expectations! I was not sure what to expect with a live virtual classroom and it is well set up, but for it to be successful, it needs a teacher show can effectively get kids engaged in the session. To say Brigid has been able to get my daughter involved and engaged is an understatement. Her teaching style is enthusiastic and the energy transfers to my daughter during the lesson. I hope there is a way to continue lessons once my daughter's school re-opens.
