(for schools that charge fees) 7+, 10+, 11+ & 13+ 

Autumn term 2010 tuition with Dr Karen O'Rourke

Clear, purposeful tuition through motivation and understanding

(Note before you call me that there are NO vacancies for children in Year Six, so please do not call me to enquire about this age group.

NEWSFLASH! 1st August, 2010 FAST-TRACK YEAR FIVE 11+ GROUP FROM SEPTEMBER, 2010

If your child is a bright spark, is in top groups for English (literacy) and mathematics (numeracy) at school, and you're keen to support them in a planned programme of work to prepare them for premier-league grammar schools in Birmingham, Walsall and Warwickshire, please call me before September, 2010 to enquire about an assessment for entry into a proposed Year Five fast-track group from September, 2010. 

NEWSFLASH! 2nd March, 2010 All five students who sat the foundation grammar school tests have a place at either a King Edward Foundation or Queen Mary's Grammar School.  The entrance tests for these schools is administered by the University of Durham C.E.M. tests. 

NEWSFLASH! 20th February, 2010: 

All four students who sat the independent schools tests have been offered places at KES or KEHS; and the two candidates whose parents applied for an assisted place were each awarded one!

Please call Dr Karen any morning, Monday to Friday before 10am, for an informal discussion without obligation on (0121) 554 1220.  

What is the secret of my students' success?

• Before I accept a student for tuition for independent schools, I find out the key elements of the tests and assess a child in those areas. These are usually English, mathematics and reasoning.

• I offer preparatory tuition in  English, mathematics and reasoning for standard entry level, and 

• English for scholarship level to individual students, or in small groups of five students or fewer.  

• Individual tuition is available only for selected students who are enrolled in an 11+ group with me.

ENGLISH 

English is my specialist subject and passion! 

•  I offer group or individual assessments with a view to children entering tuition with me in the future. I charge a fee for this service, which is paid in advance. 

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  Following an initial assessment and an offer of tuition, I propose and parents agree a written scheme of work, of which they receive a copy.  

• I set a relevant and realistic programme of homework each week.

• I monitor progress and provide parents with regular, straightforward feedback and advice to address problem areas. I ensure that students’ progress is maintained by regular testing using past and sample papers from relevant schools, and a range of worksheets which give clear explanations of features of the scheme of work. 

Reading

• I encourage all my students to become active and discerning readers at home.  When I begin teaching an individual child, I make every effort to find a programme of suitable literature for them to enjoy, not endure!

• Therefore, the tuition I offer is suited particularly to those bright girls and boys who are also reluctant readers!

Comprehension

• I teach students how to approach comprehension texts with confidence and, in particular, to recognise that different types of comprehension questions require diverse approaches.  

•  With me, students preparing for entry into independent schools become familiar with a wide range of poetry, fiction and non-fiction which they will learn to read, to understand and to which they will respond  critically and with appreciation.

Sentence grammar, punctuation, syntax and proof-reading   

• I ensure that my students understand the component parts of a sentence so that they are equipped to organise their ideas into clear, structured sentences. 

• I provide students with the building blocks of skill that enable them to proof-read and check their own work with confidence. 

• I support all teaching with clear revision notes, which I write myself.

Writing skills (composition) Writing skills go hand-in-hand with effective reading skills.

• I teach narrative (story) and descriptive prose and poetry; argumentative, discursive, critical and evaluative writing skills. 
• My syllabus incorporates various fiction and non-fiction genres, including writing play-scripts, speeches and oral and written presentations. All students will be encouraged to read widely while they receive tuition from me. 
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  The development and practice of children’s writing is my speciality subject and major interest.

MATHEMATICS

• I teach the full Key Stage 2 (primary) curriculum of number, shape and space, handling data and basic algebra. I attach particular importance to understanding the basis of and a systematic approach to mathematics.
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  I break down explanations into bite-sized, manageable parts, and support this with clear handwritten or printed notes, which I write myself for students to revise at home. 

REASONING

• I teach techniques in verbal, numerical and (where appropriate) non-verbal reasoning.

• My students make progress in reasoning by increasing their vocabulary through reading, and learning how a thorough awareness of grammar and Greek and Latin particles in words can improve their reasoning.

Practical matters:   When will my next 11+courses be held?

• From the autumn term 2010, I hope to run two groups:  one group for children in Year Four, and a separate 'fast-track' Year Five group, for students of high ability. A planned programme of work will prepare children for all grammar schools in the Birmingham and Walsall areas. The group's focus is on the no-fee grammar schools; but I also offer some individuals within that group the opportunity of individual or group tuition for for for the selective independent schools.  Parents must specify their wish on acceptance into an 11+ group.

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  Please be aware that in providing a service of high-quality, mainly individual and small group tuition, I organise the teaching I undertake under clearly-defined terms and conditions and contracts with parents, which are reviewed and, subject to performance and conduct, can be renewed each term.