The Education Pitstop

29/07/2026

I love the variety of the lessons I teach - no two lessons are the same. These are a few moments from this week.

Please get in touch through my website (www.educationpitstop.co.uk) if you would like to discuss how I might be able to help your child.

11/06/2026

28/05/2026

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a specialist dyslexia or dyscalculia assessment? Or why specialist dyslexia and dyscalculia tuition is priced the way it is?

It is completely natural to look at the numbers and wonder about the true value of specialist support, especially when there are often students offering general tutoring at a cheaper rate. But when you look beneath the surface, the math tells an amazing story.

In my latest website article, I break down the real costs behind specialist fees, including:
🎓 Level 7 postgraduate training (Master’s level equivalent)
🔒 High-level regulatory overheads, compliance, and strict data security
📋 Highly restricted, clinical-grade testing batteries and publisher licensing
🕒 The "invisible hours" spent scoring, planning, and report writing outside of face-to-face time

I also took a look at how these fees compare to the costs of everyday services that we often pay for without a second thought - like a quick trip to the local pub, a haircut, or visiting the dog groomer. ☕🐕💇‍♂️

The biggest takeaway? Unlike lifelong lifestyle maintenance, a specialist assessment is a one-off cost valid for a lifetime, and expert tuition is a short-term, targeted intervention. When you spread that cost across a student's entire academic and working life, it is an investment that costs mere pennies a day📈.

Please get in touch if you would like to ensure you are getting a lifelong report that is valid for DSA.

👉 Click to read the full article

Wondering why specialist dyslexia costs are priced the way they are? Discover the hidden overheads, Level 7 expertise, and true value of assessment.

15/05/2026

Parents regularly share positive feedback about my lessons - a quick word at the end of a lesson, or a WhatsApp message about the difference my work is making. After each assessment, they often thank me for being thorough and for carefully unpicking their child's unique strengths and difficulties. I quietly treasure every piece of feedback.

Sometimes, however, the feedback is even more precious. Occasionally, someone takes the time to sit down and truly put their experience into words. An eloquently written review like this feels like a genuine privilege. Thank you so much Jen and Andy.

This particular testimonial is especially valuable because it highlights every stage of the assessment process. I am delighted that I could support this family at each step and that they came away feeling the journey was truly worthwhile.

It also serves as a reminder that a diagnosis is rarely the most important part of an assessment. The real value lies in discovering a child’s unique story and understanding why they are struggling. By ensuring a child's strengths are revealed, we provide them with the "protective factors" needed to navigate their challenges. Ultimately, the assessment process should be the key that unlocks a child's potential, allowing them to truly thrive.

15/04/2026

While dyslexia is now a well recognised and generally understood term (even though are still many misconceptions), dyscalculia is trailing a long way behind.

It is estimated that around 6% of the population may have this hidden learning difference, which can affect the ability to process numbers, understand time, and manage money.

Awareness is needed so that those struggling can get a proper diagnosis and the support they require



https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9v091j80zwo?fbclid=IwdGRjcARMN0RjbGNrBEw2sGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHvktVp6b7WwtiE156kuJiz-azjqBmuAMC4jtPydfGMUsfPTWWcfuINPfXOXP_aem_H_lVuS1tQSmP-y1q9awTmA

Often referred to as the "dyslexia of numbers", dyscalculia is thought to affect one in 20 people.

13/04/2026

They say you’ll find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Here is the proof as this double rainbow led to The Education Pitstop yesterday 🌈✨

The Education pitstop is a place where each students' inner gold is discovered and celebrated. It's different for each and every one of us but may include incredible creativity, problem-solving skills, an out of this world sporting ability, superior social skills, impressive empathy or a wonderful way with words and story telling.

Each unique skill can support a student in finding their way through the difficulties they face. Sometimes, after years of struggling, the gold is buried deep and needs careful extraction to get to the surface, but it's always there.

30/03/2026

Why "Deep Diving" Into One Number Works 🧱

In a fast-paced classroom, we often rush to the "answer." But for many learners, the real breakthrough happens when we slow down to truly understand the composition of a single number.

If a child can "see" it and break it apart, mental maths stops being a guessing game and becomes embedded in deep understanding.

Here’s an example:

✨The superpower of 8 ✨

➕ Addition (8 + 6):
No need to count on your fingers! Partition the 8 into 4 and 4. Give one 4 to the 6 to make 10. Now it’s just 10+4=14.

➕ Addition (57 + 8):
What can we add to 57 to make 60? Let’s split 8 into 3 and 5 - now we can use 3 to turn 57 into 60 and we have 5 more so we have 65. No counting necessary. Just logic and understanding.

➖ Subtraction (15 - 8):
Partition the 8 into 5 and 3. Take away the 5 to get 10 and then take away the remaining 3. Result: 7.

➖ Subtraction (46 - 8):
Remove 6 and then another 2 makes this into a super simple mental calculation.

Don't Rush! ✋

There is magic in slowing down. Taking time to play, manipulate blocks, and "feel" the numbers. When a child understands the architecture of a number, their confidence soars. 🚀

When a number can be visualised and adapted into different patterns, rote memory and counting are not needed. Instead, logic and understanding take over.

Maths isn't just about getting the right answer - it's about discovering and exploring patterns.

💬 Need support? As a Dyscalculia and Dyslexia specialist assessor and teacher, I help unpick why these hurdles happen. If your child is struggling to "see" numbers, please get in touch for a chat!

16/03/2026

Easter Assessments: 1 Space Left! 🐣
I have availability for one Dyslexia or Dyscalculia assessment during the Easter holidays.
Please get in touch to book the slot.
🔗 educationpitstop.co.uk

15/03/2026

Looking at my family's leftover Quality Street 🍬 reminds me that what my family rejects, another family would devour 🍫. Similarly, tasks that some people find difficult 🚫 are those where others shine ✨️ .

We often see "Dyslexia Strengths" posters that list things like "creativity" or "problem solving". While they mean well, they can actually alienate the people who don’t feel they fit that specific mould.

The truth? Dyslexia isn’t a one-size-fits-all label. It’s a diverse range of strengths and weaknesses. Each individual is unique and no two profiles are the same!

Your child's greatest strength (or orange crunch) might be another's biggest hurdle (coconut eclair). If you need help mapping out your child's unique profile, please get in touch.

10/03/2026

Students break down longer words using their understanding of bases, prefixes and suffixes.