Teaching Year 8 maths as a tutor is a constant exercise in balance: meeting students where they are, while gently showing them where they can go next. At this stage, maths is often a turning point. Concepts become more abstract, confidence can waver, and many students begin to decide whether maths is “for them.” As a tutor, my role is to slow things down, rebuild foundations, and create a space where questions are not just allowed but encouraged.

What I find most rewarding is extending capable Year 8 students into Year 9 content. Introducing ideas like algebraic manipulation, linear relationships, or early trigonometric thinking can feel daunting at first, but when framed correctly, it becomes empowering. Rather than rushing ahead, I focus on showing how new concepts grow naturally from what they already know. This helps students see maths as a connected system, not a set of random rules.

Extending students isn’t about pressure or acceleration for its own sake. It’s about building confidence, curiosity, and resilience. When a student realises they can tackle work “meant for older students,” their mindset shifts. They stop asking, “Am I good at maths?” and start asking, “What can I try next?” That shift is where real learning begins.

Avigal Holstein