An Altrincham-based tuition company headed by a deputy headmaster has launched a summer school to help prepare children for the 11 plus exams.
Trafford Tuition, set up by Tom Silver who is a current deputy head at a Greater Manchester school, will be running the two-week school at Oldfield Brow Primary School.
Taking place between August 19th and 30th, it's designed particularly for Year 4 and 5 children who are approaching the 11 plus exam, although the school is also suitable for Year 6 children as preparation for secondary school.
Silver told us that although the school would have an academic focus, there would also be room set aside each day for sport and creative activities.
He said: "The main focus of the school is to make sure Year 4 and 5 pupils are ready for the 11 plus exam, particularly as some elements of the exam such as verbal and non-verbal reasoning are not taught by some local schools.
"The summer holidays are a long time for children to be away from the classroom and our school aims to reduce that impact and ensure children are ready for the new school year.”
Trafford Tuition already runs Thursday evening classes at Oldfield Brow Primary School, which has enabled it to secure the premises for the duration of the school in August.
Silver added: "Being based in the school is a big advantage - it's a really nice environment with all the mod cons and facilities you would want. It's much better than being in a community centre or scout hut.
"As well as the tuition, each day will also have an hour of sport and there will be creative activities like art, music and drama in the afternoon. We'll also have a children's author coming into the school to do a session on creative writing."
Silver - who is being supported by another deputy headmaster at a Greater Manchester school - gained a First Class honours degree in Education from Durham University and has also achieved the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) qualification. He is a current Key Stage 2 teacher and has written questions for 11 plus tests.
"We'll be there every day - we won't be delegating the teaching to graduates or non-teachers," added Silver.
"Parents should feel reassured that the people who are running the school are very qualified and that their children are in safe hands."
Summer school lessons will take place between 9.15am and 3.30pm but parents will be able to drop off their children between 8.30am and 5.15pm.
Week one lasts from Monday 19th to Friday 23rd August and costs £395. Week two lasts from Tuesday 27th August (the Monday is a Bank Holiday) to Friday 30th August and costs £325.
Until June 15th however, Trafford Tuition is running an Early Bird offer with prices discounted by 25% to £297 (week 1) and £243 (week 2). Children can also attend individual days, at an Early Bird rate of £65 (usual price £85) per day.
For more information or to book a place, visit Trafford Tuition or contact Tom Silver on tom@trafford-tuition.co.uk or 07922836739.
