Step Ahead Together

Parents are becoming increasingly aware of recent statistics from national reports, examples of which illustrate the value of tutoring: 20 per cent of pupils have failed to master basic English and maths by the time they leave primary school; it has been shown that children who have failed to master the basics of reading by the age of 6 can become the best in their class after only a few hours of specialist tuition; it is possible to overcome the reading problems that blight the lives of so many children and adults if individual or small group support is provided, particularly between the ages of 5 years and 9 months and 6 years and 3 months, which is believed to be the crucial age range for establishing reading skills.

STEP AHEAD TOGETHER is a service of individual tuition within small groups, which is led by experienced and expert tutors who have established themselves with STEP AHEAD through one-to-one tutoring. We have both the numbers and quality of tutors to cater for a wide range of subjects, with availability at diverse times during week-days and weekends.

It is still very much our intention to ensure that we give each tutee individual attention, whether on a one-to-one basis and/or within a small group.

Within such a group there are opportunities for both social interaction and for competition and challenges amongst the children and young people, with the element of a classroom environment similar to that which they experience at school, but of course with only a small number of tutees present.

Specific groups, with an absolute maximum of six tutees, are based on a number of factors, e.g. on age, ability, level of attainment, common purpose: one group might be of high achievers in mathematics, whilst another group might be improving their literacy skills, whilst a third group might be preparing for an entrance test to an independent school.

Our tutors are able to cater for all demands - whether through one-to-one and/or groups e.g. English as a second language or other foreign languages for youngsters, young adults and adults living in the community and outwith, and for adults seeking help to enter their chosen profession, another area which we have been developing slowly and discreetly over the past few years.

We are already experiencing the beginning of a trend – a change of parental attitude from traditional school-based education towards home-schooling and our much more intimate and personal services. We are in a position to cater for this cultural swing by having facilities and tutors available during each day, as well as for after-school, evenings and weekends.

We, and our tutees, have experienced the considerable value of tuition during holidays, half-terms and in-service days – and we offer group sessions during those school breaks, as well as preparation for prelims and examinations at relevant times, including Easter revision groups, summer schools, and activity sessions, all from within our Centres.

As we have stated in our Step Ahead means Business section, we are very aware that one-fifth of all students in British universities are failed and/or drop out after their first year. A significant reason is their lack of basic literacy and numeracy skills and their inability to organise themselves, including study skills and planning. Considering the resources and cost which has been invested in them, this drain needs to be prevented, and we have programmes to tackle such issues - whether on an one-to-one basis or within the TOGETHER sessions in our Centres.

STEP AHEAD TOGETHER is based throughout East Central Scotland in conveniently located Centres, the first of which we established in the district of Murrayfield in the capital city of Edinburgh. Through an arrangement with Murrayfield Parish Church we use their extensive facilities, initially on two set days per week, namely Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Fees for TOGETHER in our Centres are designed to be lower than for one-to-one tutoring in the homes of tutors, and especially in the homes of clients. Some tutees have their own STEP AHEAD tutor and also attend a weekly TOGETHER group. Others attend more than one weekly TOGETHER group. A discount is given for booking series of weekly TOGETHER sessions.