Holly Booth Tutoring

19/09/2026

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria is one of the hardest things to understand about ADHD in my opinion. It isn’t a physical symptom, it’s a feeling of people judging you, a response to something others wouldn’t even notice and a deep pain resulting from something someone does or says. It’s so important that we learn more about RSD because it really isn’t someone just being overly sensitive.

18/09/2026

It’s been so lovely getting back to ‘normal’ tuition this week. I’ve enjoyed supporting our 11+ children through their exams but I have missed the fun we have in the other sessions. We’ve played lots of games, worked on our memory skills, practised our sounds, written silly sentences and had lots of laughs.

18/09/2026

September.

New uniforms, shiny shoes, oversized school bags and the obligatory first day photograph.

But what if your child is finding school really, REALLY difficult?

What if getting dressed in their uniform is the achievement?

Or getting into the car?

Or making it to the school gates?

It doesn't mean there wasn't an enormous amount of courage behind the scenes!

This week, Holly Booth shares her story as a mum, former teacher and current tutor supporting children who struggle with school for a vast array of reasons.

She writes honestly about autism, masking, school anxiety, attendance, the impossible line between protecting a child and gently pushing them, and what happens when you walk away from the school gates and sometimes end up crying in the car.

Because sometimes the biggest achievement isn't getting through the gate...sometimes it's helping a child feel safe enough to WANT to walk through it. 💙

Read Holly's guest blog, September: The First Day Photo I Couldn't Take:

www.alliswellapproach.co.uk/insights-and-stories/school-anxiety-attendance-first-day-photo

Please share it to help other parents know that they are not alone! x

Holly Booth Tutoring

18/09/2026

I was asked to write a blog as a guest for a fantastic company who understand the need to support children in many different ways. This is my experience of the first day of school, written from the heart. 💖

September.

New uniforms, shiny shoes, oversized school bags and the obligatory first day photograph.

But what if your child is finding school really, REALLY difficult?

What if getting dressed in their uniform is the achievement?

Or getting into the car?

Or making it to the school gates?

It doesn't mean there wasn't an enormous amount of courage behind the scenes!

This week, Holly Booth shares her story as a mum, former teacher and current tutor supporting children who struggle with school for a vast array of reasons.

She writes honestly about autism, masking, school anxiety, attendance, the impossible line between protecting a child and gently pushing them, and what happens when you walk away from the school gates and sometimes end up crying in the car.

Because sometimes the biggest achievement isn't getting through the gate...sometimes it's helping a child feel safe enough to WANT to walk through it. 💙

Read Holly's guest blog, September: The First Day Photo I Couldn't Take:

www.alliswellapproach.co.uk/insights-and-stories/school-anxiety-attendance-first-day-photo

Please share it to help other parents know that they are not alone! x

Holly Booth Tutoring

13/09/2026

I’m looking for ideas or recommendations of places we could use for mock tests in 2027. The place we use is good in many way, however we have so many 11+ children next year that I’m not sure the facilities suit us any more. We need space for 20-30 children to work at tables, which are well spaced from one another. We also need an additional room or two for children who need a quieter space or for those doing longer exams.

I’d like to book the dates in ASAP as it would be beneficial for parents to know the dates as soon as possible. Any ideas very welcome.

Thanks

11/09/2026

To gain success with the 11+ or entrance exams, consistency is key. Attending regular weekly sessions, completing regular homework and repeating question types; this is what we do to help children achieve success in the 11+.

We work hard to build children’s confidence, we offer mock tests in the summer term and we consistently cover different aspects of the tests.

We have limited Year 5 spaces to start at the beginning of our yearly programme; it is important to start at the beginning when possible as it prevents your child having to play catch up.

We are also starting our pre 11+ group for year 4 children; this gives children the chance to get used to 11+ style of questions and helps us to ensure they are at the right level when they begin the 11+ programme in year 5.

Year 5 spaces available in pensby on Tuesday and Wednesday evening and in Bebington on a Monday evening.

Year 4 spaces available in pensby on a Thursday evening.

Get in touch before we run out of space. Email [email protected] for more information.

04/09/2026

I used to be embarrassed to be that parent; I used to get caught between the teacher version of me and the parent version of me; I used to worry that I was asking too much of school staff because I knew they already had enough on their plate.

Then I realised that my boy also had a lot on his plate; he was walking into an environment that didn’t suit his needs on a daily basis, he was surrounded by things that over stimulated him and overwhelmed him on a daily basis and he was masking on a daily basis. I realised that if I didn’t start to advocate for him, he would never get what he needed. So yes, I became the parent who emailed every night, the mum who spoke for her child and the one who didn’t back down when she recognised the standard school responses. I was told that he needed to be more resilient, he needed to speak up at school and he needed to learn to adapt but it didn’t stop me because those people didn’t know Evan, they knew the mask that he hid behind on a daily basis. They didn’t truly understand just how resilient he was, they didn’t listen to the fact that he wasn’t talking, they didn’t understand that his central nervous system was in shut down when he couldn’t adapt to a new situation or he couldn’t get words out.

I am not berating teachers; I have full respect for teachers, I left teaching because I couldn’t do what they do, but I am berating a system that is failing far too many children. (I am also very lucky that we fought so hard to get Evan into the school he is in because they do have the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to support Evan in the best ways possible).

I love that I get to teach so many children who need me, so many children whose faces light up when they realise they really can learn and I love seeing them grow in confidence after a few sessions with me.

I understand the parent side, I understand the additional work that goes into everyday when your child struggles with school. I understand the teachers side, the demands on their time, the lack of training available and the constant feeling that you’re failing someone. And I understand the children, their need to feel that they can achieve, the need to approach learning in a different way and the fact that all children want to learn, and I also understand that it’s my job to unlock their true potential; it’s not their job to fit in, it’s my job to find the pieces that fit together.

If you want a teacher who can support you and your child, please get in touch. I am full at the moment but I have a team of other tutors who are carefully selected and will also support your child to achieve their true potential.

Message or email [email protected] for more information.

25/08/2026

A little update about who we are and why we do what we do.