The new school year has just started, and while for many, the first few weeks of school may be about settling back into the routine, others might be ready to get stuck in with learning and get ahead.

For those who resonate with the latter, NumberWorks'nWords Surbiton's lead tutor, Celia Osbourne, shares advice on how your kids can start the school year off 'well':

Get ahead this term

With the new school year is starting, make this the year that your child really gets back on track with their learning – or begins to push ahead to aim for 11+ entry or those top grades.

Remember getting a good start early in the year is the key. Now they have settled into their new classes, with their new teachers and their new routines, now is the time to make sure that this year is going to be a good one.

If your child was struggling with Maths or English at the end of last year, now is the time to tackle that straight on. Just because there is a new class, this does not mean things will be better.

So often, parents smile at the beginning of the year and say "let's see if this year's going to be better" only to discover in February that there is no change and the year is already halfway through.

They realise that not only can their child STILL not get their head around tables, subtraction, decimals, algebra etc but they also still find spelling hard, loathe comprehension exercises, and write as little as they possibly can, and have found that things have actually got worse.

Schoolwork may have become more advanced,  but the facts and concepts that a child is expected to know have somehow been missed. Therefore, there's more to catch up on and their child has lost confidence.

This does not mean that your son or daughter will struggle forever, and it certainly does not mean that they are not bright. They just need a bit of structured help - targeted towards the right areas and your child could be back on track and possibly in a couple of years' time, even overtake their peers.

If you can see GCSEs looming on the horizon, but your teenager doesn't yet see the need to push themselves, now the time to contact us (NumberWorks'nWords Surbiton).

 Don't let them wait for a poor mock exam result before you get help.

Every year, we have to try to rescue students who have failed their mock Maths or English exams – and to be honest, starting in the extra work support just a few months before the exam is cutting it fine and putting a lot of pressure on an already frightened 15/16-year-old.

Start the extra help at the beginning of year 11 - or even better, year 10 or year 9 - and there will be so much less stress at the end.

Do you want your child to do an entrance exam?

If your primary-school aged son or daughter is doing well already, you may be thinking about putting them in for an 11+ exam.

If you are, now is the time to start that extra focus.

The beginning of year 3 or 4 is a great time to start working towards these exams. That's because it can be done gradually and gently and even be FUN!!!!

Leaving the extra support to year 5 or later, adds more pressure, which is no good for any 10-year-old.

Frustrated by short parent consultations?

Most of us have probably just had a chance to speak to our child's teachers, but even then we often don't feel we learn much. As an ex school teacher of over 20 years, I know only too well that 12 minutes really only lets you scratch the surface.

And as a teacher, I was happy if a child just kept up with the class and performed 'in line with expectations'. I didn't have a parent's desires and aspirations for their child.

NumberWorks'nWords Surbiton has both the time and resources to work individually with your child, encourage them and push them on to achieve their best.

Get an independent view and a better idea  

If you have that sneaking suspicion that your child could be doing better, why not pop into NumberWorks'nWords Surbiton for an independent view?

Your child can have a free assessment in both maths and English and a chance to have a go at some of the structured learning activities that we provide.

As an experienced teacher, I'll be honest about how I think your child is doing. I can observe them to see whether I think there are gaps in their learning that are holding them back or whether I think they could be racing ahead to achieve more.

If I feel we can help them at NumberWorks'nWords with our unique structured learning programmes, I can discuss what we could do to support them in their learning. And if they are doing just fine, I'll tell you that too.

And the really good news is that the children who learn with us, love it! There is no groaning or mumbling. No tears and tantrums. They just enjoy learning. And if that sounds like a breath of fresh air, get in touch.

If you are interested in working with Celia, give her a call on 020 8399 1234 or drop her a line at [email protected] to book an assessment and trial lesson.

NumberWorks'nWords is a sponsor of Kingston Nub News, without our sponsors, our Kingston online newspaper would not be possible. Thank you.