saturday schools

[Zaardvark]

Hi,

I was looking at options for evening or Saturday classes to supplement school for a 5 year old.

There appears to be two options locally: Kumon (ED and Camberwell - one hour session at their centre each week and worksheets everyday) and Civitas (http://saturdayschools.net/location.php) who run thursday evening schools in Cambridge House in Camberwell.

Are there any options I have missed? I know a little about Kumon but has anyone sent their child to the Civitas school?

Best

Z

[blainiac]

Kip McGrath have centres all over the place that tutor younger kids.

[Townleygreen]

The Shine Trust seems to run various Saturday schools based at Alleyns, JAGS and DC:

http://www.shinetrust.org.uk/site/pages/27_alleynu0027sdulwichjamesallenu0027s.php

Looks interesting and helpful??

I think they're free

[Ann]

Zaardvark, I have no experience of Saturday schools ( with my children) but I believe Kumon works very well.

All parents worry about their children but if your child is very young please ask yourself if extra lessons outside of school ours are really beneficial? It might cause more harm than good if it puts stress on the child.

Has the teacher recommended Saturday classes? Because they certainly should have if they thought there was a problem. Please don't forget children develop and learn in ways that are as individual as they are. Your child would probably benefit from quality time with his/her parents as much as anything else at this time and there's no doubt you're prepared to provide it.

[Zaardvark]

Hi Ann,

We have been trying Maths Whizz online (maths in the form of interactive games based on the curriculum, which my daughter thinks is "really good"). I was worried about Kumon being too much at this stage for her and this seems a lighter alternative.

Best

Z

[womanofdulwich]

I think you are much better of buying a suitable book from smiths etc and sitting down and having some fun sessions together. Schools do not teach maths as we were taught- and you can make it fun whereas kumon has a repetitive system that means going back to basics and can be boring. Some children love it though. I think paper is much better than a pc-you can go on to games- and money- shops etc depending on age.ELC or similar used to have a good range. Never rely on the school to do everything. YOu know your child better than they do.

[Zaardvark]

Thanks - kumon looks much better for students who are a little older and can appreciate that practise makes perfect. I have got a reading system book compatible with the school's phonics and am planning to do that with my daughter in lessons.

I was not relying on the school to do everything by any means, but I am surprised by how little they seem to do doing. We cannot afford to go private so suuplementing the teaching at the school by both our efforts and external ones seems to be the thing to do. External ones would seem to be aimed at older kids in the main so our efforts and Maths Whizz will have to suffice for now.

Thanks all for the advice.

edited for spelling

[womanofdulwich]

I don't know how old your child is, but really I do not think you should have to pay for anything extra unless , for example you are at a state school and trying to make the leap into the private school system. I think a few short sessions a week ,parent and child,should fill the gap. If you are very concerned may be go and see the head teacher. But they can be very defensive.