First Education

Homework is a great tutoring tool to encourage students to take ownership of their learning and further develop their problem-solving and independent study skills.

It’s important for homework to be adjusted to the individual student, specifically in terms of the amount, difficulty level and type of task. For younger students, I find it best to balance questions—with most being content we worked on together that needs consolidating—whilst including a few harder questions to test their independence when learning. This builds confidence whilst also fostering a sense of self-responsibility. By working independently at home, students are able to practise applying strategies on their own and reflect on what they understand well versus what needs revisiting. This also ensures the student remains engaged in their learning throughout the week, even when away from their lessons.

Homework also plays an important role during tutoring sessions, where it provides the opportunity for students to receive feedback, and for the tutor to fill in any gaps in knowledge that may have been missed. This then allows the session to remain focused on the student’s needs and goals while ensuring that new content is introduced at an appropriate pace. Further, it helps the student recognise their own growth over time, reinforcing a positive learning mindset. Additionally, homework provides a great communication tool for parents and tutor to connect through, as it offers a clear snapshot of what the student has been practising and how they are progressing. It allows the student’s parents to remain informed and involved in their child’s learning. This also allows for transparency between student, tutor and family, whilst contributing to a consistent learning environment both during sessions and at home.

Overall, when used thoughtfully, homework supports consistent progress, strengthens communication, and empowers students to take an active role in their learning. By tailoring tasks to each student and integrating them meaningfully into sessions, homework becomes a valuable tool that enhances both confidence and long-term academic development.

Annabelle Molloy

As tutors, we often focus on curriculum content—math skills, reading comprehension, exam techniques—but one of the most powerful things we can teach is confidence. When a student believes they can succeed, their learning accelerates. Confidence isn’t something students either “have” or “don’t have”; it’s a skill that can be built with the right support, structure, and mindset.

The first step is creating an environment where mistakes are seen as part of learning, not something to be afraid of. Many students arrive at tutoring feeling anxious or embarrassed about what they don’t know. By normalising mistakes and showing them how each error gives us information, we shift the focus from perfection to progress. This mindset is especially effective in subjects like Maths, where multi-step processes can feel overwhelming without reassurance.

Another key strategy is teaching students how to break down complex tasks. Whether it’s a long-response English question or a multi-step algebraic equation, students gain confidence when they understand how to tackle problems in stages. Modelling your thinking aloud is a simple but powerful tool—students benefit enormously from hearing expert reasoning. They learn not just what to do, but how to think.

Consistent routines also help build confidence. Starting each session with a quick warm-up, reviewing previous concepts, or setting a small learning goal can help students feel in control. When progress is visible—through corrected work, improved test scores, or simply a smoother approach to solving problems—students begin to trust their abilities.

Finally, celebrate the wins, big or small. Confidence grows when achievements are acknowledged. A student who once struggled with basic fraction operations may beam with pride after solving a word problem independently. These moments matter; they reinforce effort and remind students that they are capable learners.

Tutoring is more than academic support—it’s guidance, encouragement, and the steady reminder that growth is always possible. When we help students believe in themselves, everything else becomes easier. And often, that confidence becomes the most valuable lesson they carry with them long after tutoring ends.

Carmen Yuen

Consistency is one of the most powerful drivers of academic growth and at First Education, homework plays a crucial role in building that steady progress. While tutoring sessions provide targeted instruction, guided practice and real-time feedback, it is the work students complete between sessions that truly solidifies their learning. Homework acts as the bridge between what is learned in the centre and how confidently a student can apply those skills independently.

Regular, well-structured homework tasks help students develop discipline and routines; two qualities that support long-term academic success. When students work on small, achievable tasks across the week, they engage with content more frequently, rather than relying solely on short bursts of learning during sessions. This repetition strengthens memory, deepens understanding and promotes the level of skill needed to move ahead in school with confidence.

In a tutoring environment, homework does not exist merely for the sake of it. It is purposeful, targeted and personalised. Tutors design tasks that reinforce each student’s goals, whether that is building foundational skills, improving reading fluency or tackling complex problem-solving in numeracy. Because the workload is tailored, students are more likely to stay motivated and less likely to feel overwhelmed. The consistency this creates leads to steady improvement that both students and families can clearly see.

Homework also strengthens communication between tutors, students and parents. Completed tasks provide valuable insight into how well students are grasping concepts outside of the session. Tutors can then adjust following lessons, celebrate progress or step in with additional support if needed. Over time, this ongoing cycle of practice and feedback builds a strong learning rhythm. Ultimately, homework supports the development of confident, independent learners. At First Education, it is not just an extra task; it is a strategic tool for achieving consistency, building capability and helping students realise their full potential.

Kaelyn Tan

It’s crucial to keep students focused on the topic they are studying so that they can stay engaged and motivated in their learning. Students can often get distracted and can shift their focus from the topic they are studying to another topic. It’s crucial that tutors are able to shift their focus back onto the task they are working on. There are many strategies they can use to address the students attention, motivation and engagement in the content they are studying.

One on one tutoring allows, tutors to tailor their teaching approach to their student’s needs and learning style. For example, if there is a student who is a visual learner, tutors can use mind maps, pictures and videos to help their student understand the content they are studying.

Tutors have to overcome the challenge of helping their students who struggle with attention, feel overwhelmed by the material, or have low motivation to do their work and to stay on task. Effective tutors use a combination of structure, interaction, and encouragement to keep students engaged and on task.

A strategy tutors can use to maintain their students focus is at the start of each session, set clear expectations of what they want the student to accomplish in the hour. When students know the specific tasks they need to complete and the time frame they need to complete them can help the student to stay on track and get less distracted as they are motivated to finish the task.

Tutors can also break each session into smaller sections with different types of activities for the student to complete. With smaller tasks to complete it allows the student to sustain their attention. Bu doing different types of activities ca also help the student to stay focused as they are using different parts of their brain to complete the different tasks.

For some students, the tutor can use a small brain break to help their student take a targeted break so that they can remain focused for the rest of the session.

Overall, tutors can use different structures to keep their students focused on the task.

Ashley Cohen

Starting Year 7 is one of the biggest milestones in a young person’s school journey. It’s exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. New teachers, new classmates, bigger buildings, and a completely different routine can leave many students unsure of what to expect. This is where tutoring can play a powerful role—not just academically, but emotionally and socially as well.
One of the main benefits of tutoring for Year 7 students is building confidence. The shift from primary to high school often comes with harder homework, faster-paced lessons, and higher expectations. A tutor provides personalised support, helping students understand tricky concepts at their own pace. When students feel confident in core subjects like Maths and English, they’re more likely to participate in class and stay motivated.
Tutoring also helps students develop essential study habits. High school requires more organisation—keeping track of homework, managing deadlines, and preparing for tests. A tutor can teach practical skills such as note-taking, time management, goal-setting, and how to break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps. These are habits that will support them not just in Year 7, but throughout their entire schooling.
Beyond academics, a tutor can be a steady guide during a time filled with social changes. Year 7 students are still figuring out friendships, group dynamics, and their own identity. Having a supportive adult to talk to—someone who listens, encourages, and reassures—can make a huge difference in helping them feel grounded.
Ultimately, tutoring offers more than just help with schoolwork; it provides stability during a period of big change. With the right support, Year 7 students can navigate high school with confidence, resilience, and a sense of excitement for the years ahead.

Airi Yamanaka

Once yearly exams are over, it’s tempting for students to switch off completely / give up / stop focussing at school but this post-exam period is actually super important and a great opportunity to get ahead. With the pressure gone, it is a good time explore new topics, revisit old ones in more depth, build confidence, and prepare for the year ahead without stress.

One effective way to maintain motivation is by going through their past papers, and reflecting/ planning how which areas need improvement/ how we can achieve it. Doing this with the student rather than just telling them what they should do helps them feel included and also helps them see how far they’ve come.

This is also the perfect time to introduce fun more practical/problem solving questions or challenges that aren’t tied to grades.Particularly younger students, love maths riddles, or logic puzzles, and quick tasks that spark curiosity without feeling like traditional work. These activities keep their problem-solving skills active and their minds engaged. Maths games are especially valuable during this period.

I also fine incorporating gentle preparation for next year can be beneficial too, but super important to keep it relaxed. Short preview lessons, short intros to topics, recaps of knowledge that become pre requisites etc give students a taste of what’s coming without overwhelming them / or making it feel like it’s mandatory. This builds confidence and reduces start-of-year anxiety – especially when you phrase it as they will be ahead of others, and will find it easier next year. I so think it is important to have these more fun lessons and low-pressure learning, as before yearly’s it is always really serious, often scary / anxious for students knowing they need to learn a years worth of content for all their subjects. This productive wind down time can help the end of the year feel good and accomplished! By mixing all of the above, we can keep students motivated after exams are finished!

Shyla Gloster

Teaching multiple students struggling with different learning difficulties has taught me effective skills to navigate sessions in a way that optimises focus and maximises their learning outcomes.

It’s important to choose activities that are engaging for the student, picking options that connect to their personal interests and current learning needs. This helps the student feel more invested in the task and reduces resistance. Another good strategy for keeping students focused is switching activities as needed to prevent fatigue or overstimulation. This allows for constant stimulation and keeps the session feeling fresh and purposeful. By switching activities as needed, the student is able to explore different learning tasks without becoming overwhelmed or disengaged.

Additionally, implementing brain breaks throughout the session is a great way to stay on track without the student losing interest. What we do depends on the student — sometimes a quick game of Uno is perfect, and other times it’s drawing or Wordle that helps them reset mentally. Incorporating these quick breaks supports emotional regulation and boosts motivation when returning to work. Also, allowing the student to make their own choices about what we learn and focus on each session promotes a sense of control and autonomy that is especially valuable for students with attention or learning challenges. Giving them this control initiates a sense of respect between the tutor and student where their voice and opinion are heard and acknowledged. Ultimately, this creates a collaborative environment where the student feels confident, supported, and willing to engage.

Overall, structuring the tutoring session around each student allows for the most effective, beneficial lesson, ensuring their individual needs are genuinely supported. This personalised learning environment allows them to feel confident, capable, and engaged throughout the learning process.

Annabelle Molloy

When I tutor, there is one thing I see again and again. Students are scared to ask questions they think are silly. They sit there trying to solve everything on their own, even when they are clearly stuck. I always tell them the same thing. The only bad question is the one you keep in your head.

Somehow school teaches us that we should already know everything before we walk into class. That makes no sense. Learning is supposed to be messy. You try something, get confused, try again, and then finally understand it. Tutoring is the perfect environment for that process because there is no pressure to impress anyone. You get to slow down and figure things out at your own pace.

The truth is that the simple questions are usually the most helpful. When a student finally asks what they were worried about, it often becomes the key that makes the whole topic fall into place. Even better, it opens the door for more questions. Once a student realises they will not be judged, they become more confident and more curious. That shift completely changes the way they learn.

Another thing I notice is that the questions students are embarrassed by are usually the ones every other student has had before. Nobody wants to admit it, but almost everyone struggles with the same parts of a lesson. Asking the question does not make you look unprepared. It actually shows that you care enough to understand the work properly.

Confidence in school does not come from pretending you get everything. It comes from asking, exploring, and working through the parts that feel confusing. That is where real learning happens.

So if you are in class or a tutoring session and something does not make sense, say it. Ask what you need to ask. That one moment of honesty might be exactly what helps you move forward and finally feel in control of your learning.

Eireyna Papinyan

Getting homework from your tutor may just seem like another thing to add to your to do list, however, it is one of the most important tasks that you can complete to boost your grades and improve your understanding. Your tutor would assign homework that is relevant to the content that you are going over in your sessions, meaning that the work that they give you will actually help your learning and allow you to improve. This is especially relevant for maths, where daily practice is the main tool for you to improve over time as you need to constantly revise the content and apply it to questions. Making sure that you complete your homework over the week means that you will come to the next session with memory and understanding of the content from the previous week, allowing you to continue to move on and improve your skills throughout the term. Additionally, this will improve performance in exams as you are practicing exam-style questions and constantly revising material throughout the term, rather than leaving it to the last minute which prevents last minute anxieties and ensures the skills are locked into your long term memory. So, doing your weekly homework is more than just another thing to tick off the list. It will improve your grades, confidence and understanding the more effort you put into it!

Maddie Manins

Tutoring mathematics has been one of the most unexpectedly meaningful experiences of my life. What began as a part-time role quickly became a space of genuine connection, growth, and trust. Over time, I’ve realised that tutoring is as much about supporting students as people as it is about helping them understand maths.

One of the greatest things I’ve gained from tutoring is a deeper appreciation for the relationships that form in the learning process. Each student brings their own personality, strengths, and challenges, and working closely with them has shown me how powerful consistent guidance can be. Watching a student’s confidence grow, whether from mastering a concept they once feared or simply feeling more comfortable asking questions, has been incredibly rewarding. These moments have shaped the way I approach not only teaching, but communication and patience in general.

What I didn’t anticipate, especially when I first started, was how much students trust their tutors. There’s a unique vulnerability in asking for help, admitting confusion, or trying again after making mistakes. I’ve come to appreciate how significant it is when a student feels safe enough to do that with me. That trust isn’t something I take lightly and it pushes me to show up fully, to listen closely, and to make sure they always feel supported and respected.

Through tutoring, I’ve gained not just teaching experience, but a richer understanding of the emotional side of learning. The relationships I’ve built with my students have been the highlight of this journey, and they’ve taught me just as much as I’ve taught them. It’s a privilege to play even a small part in their growth, and it’s a role I will always value.

Avigal Holstein