What to expect

Supportive, structured and personalised every step of the way

Reaching out for support can feel like a big step, particularly when you are unsure why your child is finding literacy difficult or what kind of help they need.

At ClearMind Learning, I aim to make the process clear, calm and straightforward. You do not need to have all the answers, we can begin with what you have noticed and work from there.

Parent using mobile phone for a discovery call

1. Start with a conversation

We begin with a relaxed, no-pressure conversation about your child.

This is an opportunity for you to tell me what you have noticed, share any concerns and ask questions. We can talk about your child’s strengths, the areas they are finding difficult and any support they have already received.

Your child does not need a dyslexia diagnosis to access support.

boy in classroom being supported with his learning

2.Understanding your child

If you decide to go ahead, the next step is to build a clearer picture of your child as a learner.

For children beginning specialist tuition, this may include informal activities and observations during their early sessions so that I can identify strengths, areas of difficulty and appropriate starting points.

For some families, a Dyslexia Screening & Action Plan may be a helpful first step. Screening is not required before starting tuition and I will always discuss whether it is likely to be useful for your child.

3. Clear Plan for Support

Support is planned around your child rather than following a one-size-fits-all programme.

Together, we will identify priorities and decide what support is most appropriate. This might include areas such as reading, spelling, phonological awareness, fluency or written literacy.

Support may be provided through individual 1:1 sessions or, where appropriate, a carefully matched 2:1 session.

spelling patterns, spelling rules, vowels, consonants

4. Specialist Sessions Begin

Sessions are calm, structured and responsive to your child’s needs.

Teaching is explicit and evidence-informed, with activities carefully chosen to help children understand, practise and revisit skills over time.

Just as importantly, sessions are designed to help children experience success, develop independence and rebuild confidence in themselves as learners.

5. Communication, Progress & Review

Supporting a child works best when we work together.

I keep families informed about what we are working on, progress I am seeing and strategies that may be helpful at home or in school.

Support is reviewed as your child develops so that teaching continues to respond to their needs.

Progress is not only about scores or how quickly a child moves through a programme. Growing confidence, independence, willingness to have a go and a better understanding of themselves as a learner matter too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at info@clearmindlearning.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What ages do you work with?

ClearMind Learning supports children and young people up to the age of 16 with dyslexia and literacy difficulties, including difficulties with reading, spelling, phonological awareness, fluency and literacy confidence.

Does my child need a dyslexia diagnosis?

No. Children can access specialist literacy support whether or not they have a formal diagnosis.

If you are unsure whether your child’s difficulties may be associated with dyslexia, we can discuss whether a Dyslexia Screening & Action Plan would be helpful.

Does my child need a dyslexia screening before starting tuition?

No. Screening and specialist tuition are separate services.

Some families come to ClearMind specifically for screening, while others already know that their child needs literacy support and begin with tuition.

What does a typical session look like?

Every session is planned around the individual child, but sessions are generally structured, supportive and interactive.

Activities may include explicit teaching, word building, reading, spelling, phonological work, games and practical or multi-sensory activities where these support the learning objective.

Skills are revisited and practised over time to help children build secure knowledge and greater independence.

Do you offer GCSE tuition?

I do not provide GCSE English tuition focused on specific exam-board content or exam preparation.

For older pupils, I can support the wider skills that underpin learning, including organisation, study strategies, literacy confidence, planning written responses, developing ideas and critical thinking.

This can be particularly helpful for young people with dyslexia who need support with how they approach learning, rather than subject-specific GCSE teaching.

Do you offer group sessions?

I offer individual 1:1 support and carefully matched 2:1 sessions.

In a 2:1 session, two children work together in a supportive environment, with opportunities to collaborate, build confidence and develop resilience.

How long are sessions?

Most specialist tuition sessions are one hour. Session length may sometimes vary depending on the child, the type of support and the agreed programme, and this will always be discussed with you before sessions begin.

How often should my child attend?

Most children attend weekly, as specialist tuition is most effective when it is regular and consistent. We will discuss what is realistic and appropriate for your child when planning their support.

Will you keep me updated?

Yes. Communication with families is an important part of the ClearMind approach.

I will keep you informed about areas we are working on, progress and any strategies that may be useful beyond the ClearMind Classroom.

Where appropriate and with parental agreement, I am also happy to communicate with school so that support can be as joined-up as possible.

How do I get started?

Simply get in touch and tell me a little about your child and what has brought you to ClearMind.

We can then arrange an initial conversation and decide together what the most appropriate next step might be.