With Christmas less than a week away and the school holidays among us, Jyoti Sanyal, centre manager at First Class Learning, Teddington, shares tips on how to keep up with schoolwork over the festive break and why the new year is a good time to start tutoring.

Speaking about how kids can keep up with their schoolwork over the Christmas break, Jyoti told Nub News: "I think over the Christmas holidays, because we are all in the festive spirit and , of course, kids don't want to study, having a routine of 25 – 30 minutes of study a day for younger kids is enough.

"So, one day your child can do some reading and then on another, maybe while you're going for walks outside, they can practice some maths while walking.

"They can alternately switch each day between maths, reading and writing."

The tutor added: "But I think if your child actually enjoys studying, but might be lagging behind in some subjects, then they should focus on those subjects.,

"However, if your child is already on top of everything, and they are in the top five or ten, then a little bit of studying each day will help them stay on top, but it depends on each individual child."

For those taking their GCSE and A-Level exams in May, Jyoti says that the Christmas holidays are a good time to start making their revision notes because "half of the year is already gone, and most pupils start panicking in February/ March time".

She added: "I think April should definitely be a revision time rather than a time of going back to the concept. So, if your child has not started revising yet, I will suggest that Christmas time is a very good time to start.

"As it's Christmas, I'm not saying they should study the whole day, but maybe they can book in a full hour block each day.

"But for those who are really behind ,and have not started anything, I will suggest two hours of revision with them splitting it into two blocks; one hour in the morning and one hour maybe during the nighttime, and so they can still  enjoy the whole day."

The tutor also advises that children stay away from their phones when studying as anyone can get "easily distracted" with apps like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or messages from their friends. 

"I also get distracted by my phone," she admitted.

Jyoti suggests that children should take a five-minute break every 25 minutes during their hour revision block, whether it be making a cup of tea or going outside for some fresh air.

"And then after five minutes, they should start studying again," she said.

 The tutor added that GCSE and A-Leve students should split their revision blocks into two half hour blocks focusing on different subjects.

She said: "Maybe they're really good at maths but lagging behind a bit in science, so it's good to start the first half hour on the subject they're good at and then spend the second half focusing on the subject they struggle with.

"Then they can start learning new concepts during this holiday time.

First Class Learning, Teddington offers Maths and English tuition to children aged four – 16 (Credit: First Class Learining)

"But they can still enjoy the whole of Christmas Day with their family and then maybe in the evening or before sleeping, they can go back to studying again, giving them one hour to study."

For those revising for their May exams, Jyoti suggests getting a notepad and felt tip pens.

She said: "If you're learning a new concept of math, you can just write the formula on the notepad and then you know that like, 'okay, I can do that'.

"Or maybe you can create a board for your room with one half specialising in Maths revision and the other for science etc.

"I used to use different coloured pens for different formulas and signs, so I will suggest you use a lot of coloured pens in your books."

Jyoti added: I would really suggest that you should finish everything by March so that you can just go over your notes and everything you've learnt in April and then be somewhat stress free come exam period in May."

The tutor says that equally, it is important for younger children to keep up with their studies over the holidays so "then it's not difficult for them after the holidays to go straight back to that study".

She said:" So, I think even if you do 20 minutes with your child every day, like maybe a little reading or writing or math, they will stay on top of everything."

Jyoti says that despite conceptions, this is also very important for children in Reception.

She explained that one of her pupil's parents says she has friends who do not think that tuition for Reception and Year One kids is important, "as they can catch up in Year Two".

"But this is not the case," Jyoti said.

"So, I will still recommend if they're struggling with reading and phonics from Reception, it's better for them to start tuition."

Jyoti explained that tuition and extra practice can help with children's confidence in class.

She said: "If your child is struggling and feels that everyone else is ahead of them, they may not speak out in class because you haven't practiced, but the people who practice at home won't be afraid to speak out.

"So, I think kids need to start learning classroom confidence from the beginning, it's very good for them."

Speaking about why the new year is a good time to start tuition with First Class Learning, Teddington, Jyoti said: "The main concept of our tuition is to learn new concepts every week and then we do tuition.

"We do homework, little by little, every day. So, I give them homework as well - not too much - so that they keep up with the concept, because it doesn't work if they only come to my tuition once a week and don't practice at home.

"Of course, if they don't do their homework, when they come back, they don't remember anything. So, I think our tuition is brushing up pupils' skills, and if they're doing homework little by little, that will boost their knowledge."

"We do lots of practice which helps boost our pupils' confidence too," she added.

First Class Learning Teddington offers Maths and English tuition to children aged four – 16.

Unlike many tuition services, it ensures each child receives individual attention and personalised programmes.

Each child completes an initial assessment in both subjects, helping Jyoti identify their strengths, address gaps in knowledge, and build independence and focus.

Lessons are then tailored to the individual and progress is only made once the child fully understands a topic.

Jyoti explained: "It's very personalised teaching. And although it's not one-to-one, it's a very, very small group so that all kids can learn.

"When I first meet a child, we do an assessment to see what level the child is in, because if a kid is in a very advanced level, we don't have to start from scratch with that kid unlike we may have to do with others. So, we start from where the level of the child is, whether it's English or Maths and that applies to all the kids."

She added that the assessments are free and that she will then create a personalised plan for each individual child following the assessment. The children will also be placed into groups based on their age and academic level.

Jyoti holds her tuition classes at Teddington's Sacred Heart Primary School on Saturdays.

You can find out more about First Class Learning Teddington here.

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