Answers, clearly.

We support children and young people from KS1 (age 5) through to KS5 (age 18), and in some alternative provision contexts up to age 19. This covers primary, secondary and sixth-form age students.

The first step is a conversation. Call us on 01227 935773 or use the contact form and we will find a time to talk through your situation. There are no forms to fill in before we speak. We will listen first.

We aim to respond within one working day of first contact. In many cases we can have an initial conversation that same week, with an assessment or introductory session following shortly after. We know that waiting is hard, and we try to move at the pace families need.

Yes. We always recommend an initial visit or taster session before any placement begins. For some children — especially those with anxiety or school avoidance — we take time to introduce the environment gradually, sometimes beginning in a familiar space before moving to one of our settings.

We start with a conversation about your child — their needs, history, what they enjoy and what they find difficult. Based on this we suggest which environment fits best. For some children that is Roper Yard; for others, Maypole Farm or Haven Nook. Sometimes the right answer only becomes clear after meeting your child.

EBSA stands for Emotionally Based School Avoidance — sometimes called school refusal. It describes a pattern where anxiety, rather than defiance, prevents a child from attending school. Children with EBSA are not choosing to be difficult. They are often overwhelmed, frightened, or exhausted. We have significant experience supporting EBSA through the Thrive approach, flexible session locations, and a patient, unhurried environment.

An EHCP is an Education, Health and Care Plan — a legal document issued by a local authority that describes a child's special educational needs and the support they must receive. EHCPs set out outcomes and provision. Tuition Extra works with children who have EHCPs, contributes to annual reviews, and aligns our provision to the outcomes described in the plan.

SEND stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. It is a broad term for children whose development or learning differs significantly from children of a similar age. This can include dyslexia, autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders, and many others. Tuition Extra specialises in SEND provision across all our settings.

Yes — this is one of our most common referral reasons. We use the Thrive approach to build trust at the child's own pace. Sessions can begin in your home, a community space, or one of our centres — whichever feels least overwhelming. We never force or rush. The goal is always for the child to feel safe before learning begins.

Yes. Many of the children we support are autistic, and our environments are designed with this in mind. Haven Nook in particular is a low-stimulus, sensory-aware setting. All tutors are trained in the Thrive approach and staff working with autistic children hold additional specialist SEN training.

This is one of the most common things families tell us, and it is not a barrier to starting. We have worked with many children who initially could not leave the house. We can begin with a home visit, a short walk, or even a phone or video call. We let the child lead the pace. The relationship always comes first.

We hear this often, and we take it seriously. We won't promise outcomes we can't guarantee. What we can say is that our approach is genuinely different from most educational settings — smaller, slower, more personal, and designed around the child rather than the curriculum. Many families come to us having exhausted other options and find that the combination of Thrive-informed relationships, the right environment, and a flexible approach changes things. We are happy to talk honestly about whether we think we can help.

Sessions take place at Roper Yard in Canterbury, Maypole Farm near Hoath, and Haven Nook. We also offer outreach sessions at agreed community venues or in the family home where this best supports the child.

We offer one-to-one tutoring and small groups of two to four students. The format depends on the type of support and what suits the child best. Most children with significant anxiety or SEN begin with one-to-one before any group work is considered.

You will receive regular updates from your child's tutor or key worker. We review progress formally on a scheduled basis and we are always available by phone or email between reviews. We believe families are partners in this process — we keep you involved at every stage.

We review and adapt every programme regularly. If your child's needs shift — in either direction — we adjust the provision accordingly. You are always welcome to contact us between reviews if something changes suddenly.

There is no standard length. Some children are with us for a few months during a particular crisis or transition. Others stay for years. We review regularly and continue for as long as the provision is genuinely serving the child.

The Thrive approach is an evidence-based method of supporting children's social and emotional development, used in specialist settings across the UK. It is grounded in neuroscience and attachment theory — helping children to regulate their emotions, build resilience, and develop the capacity to engage with learning. Every member of the Tuition Extra team is trained in Thrive.

Therapeutic education means learning that is designed around a child's emotional state as well as their academic needs. It doesn't mean therapy replaces learning — it means the relationship, the environment, the pace and the content are all chosen with the child's wellbeing in mind. When a child feels safe, learning becomes possible.

Yes. We are an approved exam centre and offer private entries for GCSEs, Functional Skills (Entry Level to Level 2), and some A-Level units. Students sit in a familiar environment with a familiar team — which can make a significant difference for anxious young people. Contact our Exam Officer Letitia Etherington at exams@tuition-extra.co.uk.

Functional Skills are English and Maths qualifications offered at Entry Level 1 through to Level 2. Level 2 is equivalent to a GCSE grade 4 pass. They provide a practical, accessible route to a recognised qualification accepted by many employers and colleges. We offer them alongside GCSE preparation depending on what suits the student.

We cover the core curriculum — English, Maths, Sciences and Humanities — plus vocational and creative subjects at Maypole Farm and Haven Nook. For younger children the focus is literacy and numeracy at whatever level is right for them. For older students we support GCSE and A-Level preparation. Ask us and we will be straightforward about what we can offer.

Fees depend on the type and frequency of support. Many placements are funded through local authority or school arrangements — particularly where a child has an EHCP or is placed through alternative provision commissioning. For self-funded enquiries, we will always be transparent about what is involved.

Yes. We are a Kent County Council preferred provider and work regularly with local authorities across Kent. If your child has an EHCP, the local authority may commission provision through us. Schools can also fund placements through SEND or pupil premium budgets. We are experienced in working with commissioning teams.

Yes, in many cases. If your child's EHCP describes a type of provision that Tuition Extra can deliver, the local authority may fund it. This is always a matter between you and the local authority — but we can help you understand what to ask for and support the process with evidence of our provision.

A DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) is a criminal record check required for anyone working with children or vulnerable people in the UK. All Tuition Extra staff, tutors and volunteers hold enhanced DBS clearance before working with any child. We use safer recruitment processes throughout.

DSL stands for Designated Safeguarding Lead — the named person responsible for child protection in an organisation. Every Tuition Extra setting has a qualified DSL. Our Deputy DSL structure ensures cover is always in place. The DSL is the first point of contact for any safeguarding concern.

Safeguarding is central to everything we do. We have a qualified DSL and Deputy DSL across all provision, all staff complete regular safeguarding training, and we follow KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education) guidance. Families are always informed if a safeguarding concern is raised, unless doing so would place a child at greater risk.

All tutors hold relevant academic qualifications for the subjects and levels they teach. All staff are trained in the Thrive approach. Staff working with children with SEN hold additional specialist qualifications. All undergo enhanced DBS checks and safer recruitment vetting before joining.

Alternative provision (AP) is education arranged by a local authority or school for children who cannot attend mainstream school — due to exclusion, illness, SEND, EBSA, or other reasons. Tuition Extra provides commissioned AP for local authorities and schools across Kent, with the safeguarding, reporting and quality assurance that commissions require.

SENCo stands for Special Educational Needs Coordinator — the member of staff in a school responsible for overseeing SEN support. Tuition Extra's Group SENCo is Holly Wilkie, the first point of contact for EHCP-related queries and coordination with schools and local authority SENCos.

Contact us by phone on 01227 935773 or email info@tuition-extra.co.uk. We will arrange a conversation to discuss the child's needs and the type of provision required. For formal LA referrals we have a clear process that captures necessary information quickly and gets provision started without unnecessary delay.

We acknowledge every referral within one working day and aim to have an initial conversation within two to three days. Depending on availability and complexity, provision can typically begin within one to two weeks. For urgent placements, contact us directly.

Yes. We provide written reports for annual reviews, attend review meetings where invited, and contribute evidence of progress against EHCP outcomes. We take annual reviews seriously — they are one of the key ways we demonstrate impact and plan next steps.

We provide regular written progress reports aligned to the outcomes in the child's EHCP or placement brief. Format and frequency are agreed at the start of each placement. We are transparent about what we are delivering and the progress being made.

Yes. Tuition Extra is a Kent County Council preferred provider for SEND and alternative provision. We have met KCC's quality assurance standards and are listed as a recommended provider for LA-commissioned placements. We also work with other local authorities across the South East.