Welcome! Thank you for visiting my page. Please read on to learn more about my approach to learning and the services I offer.

I enjoy working with children and watching them grow in confidence and skills. I have worked closely with parents in my teaching roles and can support with ideas of how best to encourage and consolidate their child’s learning. I am an experienced classroom teacher with practical know how and knowledge of our education system. I am enthusiastic, kind, and resourceful - exactly the traits a tutor needs to work successfully with children.

I have an enhanced DBS check!

Certificate Number 001869942021

and can provide references from colleagues, parents and children.

“Thank you Mrs Parry, for being kind and teaching me to read and write, your lessons were always fun.” M (ex-pupil).

“Lovely teacher. Very supportive of my special needs child. My child has learned so much.” Miss WA (online tutoring)

Ruth Parry, MA (Edin), PGCE

  • Qualified teacher with 20+ years experience of working with children.

  • Early Years Practitioner.

  • Certificates in: Understanding Autism; Neuroscience in the Early Years; SEND in the Early Years; and Mental Health in the Early Years.

  • Morrells Handwriting Tutor.

How can one-to-one tutoring help your child?

  • Provide a strong foundation for learning and development.

  • Enhance cognitive skills.

  • Build confidence.

  • Promote a love of learning from a young age.

I offer personalised support in these years to build skills in reading, maths, and critical thinking. As an experienced teacher, I can create a positive atmosphere that promotes curiosity and confidence, adapting to each child's learning style. By using engaging and creative methods, I hope to inspire a love for learning and give your child confidence to progress in their learning journey, raising their self esteem and aspirations.

I offer face to face and online sessions to improve your child’s early reading skills, comprehension and creative writing. I can support progression in maths and foundation subjects at KS1 and into lower KS2.

I am also qualified to deliver a handwriting programme which helps children and young adults improve their handwriting and confidence for written assessments and exams. This approach involves analysing a student’s writing, posture, and grip to identify weaknesses in co-ordination, and using a series of focussed exercises to help break bad handwriting habits and support improvements in speed and legibility. More resources and information about this approach can be found here.

Phonics and Early Reading Tuition

I have always enjoyed delivering phonics lessons and using a range of methods to keep the children interested and involved. They will often not realise that they are reading and practising their blending skills, as they are enjoying themselves and keen to do more. Early phonics is fun when it is active and the learning is delivered consistently in a variety of ways. Using games and songs, as well as materials like sand and playdough, helps embed spelling and improve that vital hand-eye co-ordination which supports strength for sustained handwriting.

For older children, sometimes a foray into poetry can help support their reading skills by using the phonics they already know in a funny, thought provoking way. Using a variety of texts means that they children are not only decoding words but developing their comprehension and extending their vocabulary. This can be a lot more interesting and challenging than the decodable reading books.

Phonic Screening

Year One Phonic Screening takes place once a year, in June. Children are given a booklet containing both real and made-up words, which they then have to sound out and blend. If they do not successfully read a majority of the words provided, then they have to re-do the activity the following year. The more practice a child has reading and speaking both types of words, the less daunting this screening activity will be, and the more success they shall have making their way through the booklet. I can support their skills and develop their knowledge of the sounds covered in the Screening with games, reading challenges, and activities.

I can support children in consolidating and applying their number skills through Reception, KS1 and lower KS2 levels. It is important to work out where the gaps in their knowledge lie, and work together to find strategies which they can apply to understand and overcome challenging areas. I can provide regular practice recalling number facts and patterns in a relaxed and supportive environment. I use a variety of resources to visually support maths concepts and help children consolidate their knowledge. Working together through hands-on games and word problems can be a real boost to a child’s confidence, and help them to make practical links between different maths facts and concepts.

Maths Tuition

For face-to-face tutoring, small groups, or friends, I have a garden room set up for working together. As you can see, there are lots of books in the room - as a family, our shared passion is reading. I also have many picture and primary-level reading books, from across my time working as a teacher and raising three children, meaning that it is never difficult to find a suitable story to read or share.

I also work with other tutors to share ideas and resources for teaching and supporting children’s learning. It is fabulous to find new approaches which can work for the individual child.

HOW IT WORKS

If you would like to find out more about any of my services, please contact me on this form.

Or email on

Ruth.Rhubarbtutoring@gmail.com