Barbara

My Requirements

Tommy has been in mainstream schools until last yea and has struggled so much and so have we with him. So much distress, screaming, crying that he did not want to go. Loads of sensory issues when feeling pressurised to go to school. He has now started at East Kent Sudbury Valley school (Deal) an he is loving it. It's self-directed learning, no curriculum, no tests, no pressure. It's democrating education so everyone particpates in the tmrunning and decision s if the school. It's only 3 days and is not OFSTED approved so he is registered as homeschooled. We would like him b to have Tutoring for reading, writing and maths once ir twice a week on the days he didn't attend his school (Monday and friday). I am looking for a non-coercive Tutor who will form a good relationship with my son, focusing on connection and emotional safety, that's the foundation for learning. No material rewards for doing work or any kind of threats or punishments. He's been shamed and humiliated in mainstream and totally misunderstood when struggling and feeling overwhelmed. Mainstream has been traumatic. He was on a wonderful reading program online. It was working amazing until they started to give him rewards. He totally lost interest and motivation and enjoyment in learning. Rewards are known to reduce intrinsic motivation (Alfie Khon research). All my son thought and asked about was "when is the next present coming? If I don't get a present I won't do anything". He is committed and can work hard when he is acknowledged in specific ways; e.g. "you were so focused on that exercise, you got the right answer", " that was really hard / frustrating and you persevered". My son is telling me he wants a Tutor who understands him, and is playful and kind.