Rebecca Dowell Tuition

This rose bush was a gift last year from Arthur and his family, and it’s thriving! Every time I pass it I’m reminded of last year’s exam students and how they’re all blossoming in their new steps! Can’t wait for this to bloom in the summer!

Tis the season for… EHCP reviews, apparently!

Here’s the part of my job I never expected to have to do so much of, but one I’m always happy to do - documenting ‘evidence of need’ for special learning provisions for my SEN students, and fighting to access new provisions or maintain existing ones.

I see first hand what absolute WARRIORS the parents of SEN students have to be, and how hard they have to fight for their children. Thank you for trusting me enough to take one tiny thing off your plate.

I’ve been in the privileged position of seeing the incredible victories that happen when SEN students are given the support they need. To be part of that story is an honour.

The system is broken, but I’m playing the ‘Eye of the Tiger’ song in my head as I go into battle once again. I will always fight tooth and nail to get your children access to the education they deserve.

My very clever ‘little’ brother got a new job today, at a swanky training company. As a responsible older sister I felt it my duty to stalk the company’s website, and came across this…

This is from an old study, in 1984, but the principles still hold true today!

On pins this morning as the fabulous Francesca is currently taking her Maths GCSE paper 1. Frankie is one of my home schoolers, and she has been working SO HARD for this! Whatever the outcome, I am so proud of how she’s risen to the challenge!

Story time…

Sophia is one of this year’s new students, and at our first session she told me her ambition for this year - to be an academic weapon! I LOVED the expression, and it’s fast become our catchphrase!

In honour of Sophia’s brilliant result in her first maths test of year 10, I’ve framed and hung her quote, and hope it goes on to inspire the rest of the gang!

Reading the rankings for GCSE results in Devon schools this morning on a rainy Sunday. Thrilled to see St Peter’s in Exeter coming in at #4 and Uffculme School at #6.

That’s where most of my year 11’s from last year attended, so I’m feeling like I played a small part in that! Go team!

I’ve just been sent this wonderful matriculation picture of lovely Kate, who’s now at The Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester.

I worked with Kate as a very bouncy 7 year old, and then later with GCSE sciences but getting the grade she needed in maths GCSE had always been just out of reach. We worked together on that while Kate studied her other college subjects and I was so proud of her when she absolutely nailed it! She could then retire gracefully from maths, knowing she’d done what she needed to unlock her University course.

And here she is - looking far too grown up, with her new course mates, about to enjoy everything freshers week has to offer! Have the most wonderful time, Kate! Believe in yourself - you’re going to be a superstar!

Traffic Chaos today! Poor Jessica tried her very best to get here this morning, but has been forced to turn around. All roads are gridlocked due to M5 closures and a couple of accidents on the back roads. Please please don’t try to get to the classroom today!

We can do an online session instead, and avoid you sitting in traffic. Some of the poor school run mums in the village have been trapped for nearly 3 hours!

And it’s the first of September already! The summer has flown by, but I am SO excited to be back in the classroom today! A gentle start to meet two new students - can’t wait to get their action lists together and start making a difference to their maths and science progress!

And finally…. Caitie scored a full house of 5’s and 6’s! Amazing news! So I think that’s everyone’s good news shared!

And the results just keep on coming; it was a bumper crop this year!

Cerys ‘slayed’ with 7’s in biology and physics, and 8’s in chemistry and maths! Absolutely smashed it, given that she wasn’t sure whether to take the leap to separate sciences. Right choice, missy!!

Younger sister Sophie is booked in for September, and she’s got some big shoes to fill!