Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right support for your child can feel like a big decision, particularly if they have struggled with learning, confidence or accessing education in the past.
Here are some of the questions families often ask about GemBridge. If you're not sure whether 1:1 or small-group tuition would be right for your child, you're always welcome to get in touch for an informal chat.
What ages do you support?
GemBridge supports children and young people aged 7–16, with learning adapted to the individual rather than simply their chronological age.
This can include primary and secondary-aged learners who need curriculum support, help filling gaps in learning, Functional Skills support, confidence building or a more individualised stage-not-age approach.
What subjects do you teach?
GemBridge offers support across all primary curriculum subjects, so tuition doesn't have to be limited to English and Maths.
This includes core subjects such as English, Maths and Science, alongside subjects including History, Geography and other areas of the primary curriculum.
For older learners, support can include Functional Skills English and Maths at all levels, alongside general foundational English and Maths skills where there are gaps in earlier learning.
Dyslexia-friendly literacy support is also available and can be adapted to the learner's individual starting point rather than their chronological age.
Do you only offer English and Maths tuition?
No. Although English and Maths are common areas for tuition, sometimes another subject provides the best way into learning.
For primary-aged learners, tuition can incorporate subjects such as Science, History and Geography, particularly where a child's interests can be used to develop wider skills.
Reading, vocabulary, writing, research and reasoning can all be developed through a topic a child genuinely wants to explore.
Learning doesn't always have to begin with a worksheet labelled English or Maths.
Do you offer Functional Skills support?
Yes. GemBridge offers Functional Skills English and Maths support across levels, including foundational work for learners who aren't yet ready to begin a formal Functional Skills programme.
Sessions can combine the underlying English or Maths skills with practical, real-life contexts, helping learners understand why and where they might use what they're learning.
This can be particularly helpful for older learners who have gaps from earlier education or who find a traditional GCSE-style approach difficult to access.
My child is older but has gaps in primary-level learning. Can you still help?
Absolutely. GemBridge uses a stage-not-age approach, so there is no expectation that a learner must work on material simply because it corresponds to their chronological age.
Older learners may have gaps in areas such as number fluency, reading, spelling, writing or comprehension. We can go back and strengthen those foundations while ensuring resources, topics and activities remain age-respectful.
The aim is to build the foundations they need without making an older learner feel as though they're being given work designed for a much younger child.
Does my child need to have SEND to access GemBridge?
No.
GemBridge has particular experience supporting children and young people with SEND, but a diagnosis is not required.
Some learners have identified needs such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, autism, ADHD, DLD or speech and language needs. Others may be experiencing anxiety, EBSA, gaps in education or low confidence.
Some children simply need more time, a different explanation, a quieter learning environment or someone to find the approach that works for them.
Support starts with the individual learner, not a label.
Do you offer dyslexia support?
Yes. Dyslexia-friendly literacy support can focus on the areas an individual learner finds difficult.
This might include spelling, reading fluency, comprehension, phonological awareness, vocabulary, sentence construction or written expression.
Support is personalised rather than based on a one-size-fits-all approach, with activities presented visually, practically and in manageable chunks while remaining appropriate for the learner's age.
Do you support children with EBSA or anxiety around learning?
Yes. Supporting children experiencing EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance), anxiety and difficulties re-engaging with education is an area of particular experience and interest at GemBridge.
Sessions can begin gently, with predictable routines, reduced pressure, interests and relationship-building used to help the learner feel comfortable.
For some anxious learners, 1:1 tuition can provide a helpful first step, with the possibility of gradually moving towards a carefully matched small group as their confidence develops.
There is no expectation that every child should progress into a group. The pace is led by what is appropriate for the individual learner.
My child has lost confidence in learning. Where would you start?
Often, the first step isn't immediately tackling everything they're behind with.
I start by getting to know the learner: what they're good at, what they enjoy, what they find difficult and how they currently feel about learning.
Early sessions can include familiar or interest-led activities alongside gentle assessment, allowing me to understand their starting point without making the learner feel as though they're being tested.
From there, we can begin filling gaps and gradually increasing challenge while making sure they also experience success.
Will my child have to complete a formal assessment before starting?
Not necessarily.
Assessment doesn't always need to look like a test. I can learn a great deal through conversation, games, practical activities, observation and carefully chosen learning tasks.
Where a more structured baseline is useful, this can be introduced sensitively and adapted to the individual learner.
For children who are anxious about education or have had difficult experiences of assessment, the priority is getting an accurate picture of their learning without creating another barrier to engagement.
1:1 Tuition
What are the benefits of 1:1 tuition?
1:1 tuition allows the session to be completely personalised to one learner.
The pace, level, teaching approach, activities and resources can all be adapted around your child's individual starting point, interests, strengths and areas for development.
It can be particularly helpful for learners who:
Experience anxiety around learning
Need additional processing time
Have gaps in their learning
Find larger groups overwhelming
Benefit from practical or visual approaches
Need to rebuild confidence
Require learning to be broken into smaller, manageable steps
Your child also receives individual tutor attention throughout the session.
For some children, 1:1 tuition can also provide a safe starting point before gradually moving towards learning alongside others.
Are lessons and resources individually planned for my child?
Yes. Personalisation is a big part of GemBridge.
Lessons and resources can be adapted around your child's learning level, needs, interests, confidence and current targets rather than simply being selected according to their age or school year.
That might mean making Maths practical and visual, adapting the presentation of reading for a dyslexic learner, reducing unnecessary written demands or using a child's particular interests as the context for English, Maths or another curriculum subject.
What happens if an activity isn't working for my child?
We change it.
Personalised tuition means the route to the learning objective can be flexible.
If a learner isn't accessing something in the way I expected, I can change the explanation, break it into smaller steps, introduce visuals or practical resources, approach it through an interest or simply come back to it in a different way.
The learning goal may stay the same, but there can be lots of different ways to reach it.
What if my child doesn't like writing or finds sitting still difficult?
That's okay. Showing what you know doesn't always have to mean sitting at a table and writing it down.
Depending on the learner and the learning objective, sessions might involve talking, typing, drawing, practical resources, movement, matching, investigating, games or interactive activities.
Written skills can still be developed where appropriate, but difficulty with handwriting, attention or sitting still doesn't need to prevent a child from accessing the rest of their learning.
Small Group Tuition
How many learners are in a GemBridge small group?
GemBridge groups are intentionally kept to just 2–4 learners.
Keeping groups this small allows children to experience the benefits of learning alongside peers without becoming lost within a larger class.
It also means there is still plenty of individual tutor attention.
How are learners matched for small groups?
Children aren't placed together simply because they're the same age.
When creating a group, consideration is given to age/stage, current learning level, areas requiring support, individual needs, confidence and group dynamics.
For face-to-face groups, geographical location and availability also need to be considered.
This is why families initially register their interest. It allows suitable learners to be carefully matched before a group begins.
Is small-group tuition still personalised?
Yes.
Being part of a group doesn't mean every learner receives exactly the same worksheet or is expected to work at exactly the same level.
Groups can work around a shared learning focus while the resources, level of challenge, method of recording and amount of support are adapted for individual learners.
Keeping groups to 2–4 learners makes it possible to retain much of GemBridge's personalised approach while also providing opportunities to learn alongside others.
What are the benefits of small-group tuition?
Learning alongside a few carefully matched peers can provide opportunities to:
Build confidence and independence
Share and explain ideas
Learn collaboratively
Realise that other children sometimes find things tricky too
Practise contributing within a calm, supportive group
Reduce reliance on adult reassurance
Develop positive learning relationships with peers
Small groups also offer families a lower-cost alternative to 1:1 tuition, while maintaining a high level of individual support.
Can my child start 1:1 and move into a small group?
Absolutely.
This can be a particularly supportive route for an anxious learner.
A child might initially work 1:1, allowing them to build a trusting relationship with their tutor, become familiar with GemBridge routines and experience success without the additional pressure of peers.
When they feel ready, a carefully matched small group can then provide a gentle next step towards greater confidence and independence.
There is no fixed timeframe and no pressure to make the transition.
Where is face-to-face tuition available?
Face-to-face tuition is available in Devon, subject to location and availability.
If you're looking for face-to-face support, simply provide your general area when you enquire and I'll let you know whether tuition is currently available near you.
Online tuition is available UK-wide.
Where are face-to-face small groups available?
Face-to-face small groups are available in Devon, subject to location, availability and suitable learner matching.
When registering your interest, you'll be asked for your general area. This helps when matching learners for potential groups.
Can we join a group if we live outside Devon?
Yes. Online small groups are available UK-wide.
Online groups follow the same GemBridge principles: groups remain small at 2–4 carefully matched learners, with personalised, supportive learning and opportunities to build confidence alongside peers.
What happens if there isn't a suitable group available yet?
You can register your interest without committing to anything.
Your child's details can then be considered when other learners with compatible learning needs, age/stage and availability enquire.
If appropriate, you may also choose to begin with 1:1 tuition while waiting for a suitable group.
Sessions, Progress & Practicalities
How long are sessions?
Standard GemBridge 1:1 and small-group sessions are 60 minutes.
Sessions can include a mixture of direct teaching, practical activities, games, discussion, interactive learning and independent practice rather than expecting a learner to sit and complete written work for an hour.
Will I know what my child has been working on?
Yes.
Every PAYG and block-booked session includes a written session record outlining:
The learning focus
What was covered
Learning and progress made
Recommended next steps
Families booking a six-week block also receive a progress report at the end of the block, bringing together progress, areas for continued development and recommended next steps.
Can tuition link to my child's EHCP or existing targets?
Yes. Where appropriate, information such as an EHCP, educational psychology report, school targets or recommendations from other professionals can help inform tuition.
These can be considered alongside what I observe during sessions and information from the learner and family to identify appropriate priorities and ways of supporting learning.
Do you support home-educated learners?
Yes.
Tuition can complement a family's home education approach, provide additional support with a particular subject, help identify and address gaps, or simply give a young person another trusted adult to learn with.
Support can range from primary curriculum subjects and interest-led learning through to foundational English and Maths and Functional Skills for older learners.
Sessions don't have to recreate a traditional classroom at home.
Do you offer online tuition?
Yes. GemBridge provides online 1:1 and small-group tuition throughout the UK.
Online tuition doesn't need to mean sitting and completing worksheets on a screen. Sessions can include interactive activities, games, visuals, discussion, practical resources and activities away from the screen where appropriate.
Will I need to buy resources for tuition?
Usually, no.
Individual lesson planning and personalised learning resources are included within the tuition fee.
For some sessions I may suggest using simple things you already have available, such as Lego, paper, dice or everyday objects, particularly where practical learning would be helpful.
If an additional resource would genuinely benefit a learner, this would be discussed with you first.
Do I need to provide my full address when enquiring?
No.
For an initial enquiry or small-group registration, your general area or county is enough.
If face-to-face tuition is arranged, any further information that is genuinely required can be discussed privately.
Do you offer an initial consultation?
Yes.
A free initial consultation gives us the opportunity to discuss your child, including their strengths, interests, current learning, any areas of difficulty and what you would like tuition to help them achieve.
It's also an opportunity for you to ask questions and decide whether GemBridge feels like the right fit before booking tuition.
What qualifications and experience do you have?
GemBridge is led by a qualified teacher with QTS and over six years' teaching experience, including experience across primary education, SEND and alternative provision, alongside current 1:1 tutoring.
Additional training and experience includes support for dyslexia, dyscalculia, EBSA, autism, ADHD, DLD, speech and language needs and SEMH.
An Enhanced DBS registered on the Update Service is also maintained.
How much does tuition cost?
Current tuition prices are:
1:1 Online Tuition – £38 per 60-minute session
1:1 Face-to-Face Tuition – £40 per 60-minute session
Online Small Groups – £19 per learner, per session
Face-to-Face Small Groups – £20 per learner, per session
Discounted six-week blocks are also available:
1:1 Online – £200
1:1 Face-to-Face – £220
Online Small Group – £105 per learner
Face-to-Face Small Group – £110 per learner
Please see the Pricing section for full details of what's included.
Still have a question?
Every learner is different, so it's completely understandable if your child's circumstances don't fit neatly into one of the questions above.
You can book a free consultation, get in touch to discuss individual support or register your interest in a GemBridge small group.