Mastering Skills
At Mastering Skills, I offer bespoke 1:1 tutoring, early identification screeners and full diagnostic assessments for Dyslexia.
About Me
With 35 years’ experience as a primary school teacher including 12 years as an Inclusion Manager and SENCO, I bring a huge wealth of experience to the role of tutor and assessor. I hold both AMDA and APC qualifications from the BDA. I offer tuition for children experiencing difficulties with reading, writing and/or maths. The lessons I provide are tailored to individual needs with a focus on fun, multi sensory activities. I strongly believe that children learn when they feel happy and safe and their self esteem is high. I also provide full dyslexia diagnostic assessments and early screeners to identify risk of possible dyslexia.
Specialist Literacy Support
Empowering Children with Dyslexia
What is Dyslexia?
The Delphi Definition of Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a set of processing difficulties that affect the acquisition of reading and spelling. The most commonly observed cognitive impairment in dyslexia is a difficulty in phonological processing (i.e. in phonological awareness, phonological processing speed or phonological memory). However, phonological difficulties do not fully explain the variability that is observed. Working memory, processing speed and orthographic skills can contribute to the impact of dyslexia.
Impact
• In dyslexia, some or all aspects of literacy attainment are weak in relation to age, standard teaching and instruction, and level of other attainments.
Variance and co-occurrence
• Dyslexic difficulties exist on a continuum and can be experienced to various degrees of severity. Dyslexia can affect the acquisition of other skills, such as mathematics, reading comprehension or learning another language. Dyslexia frequently co-occurs with one or more other developmental difficulties, including developmental language disorder, dyscalculia, ADHD, and developmental coordination disorder.
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Why have an assessment?
A diagnostic assessment for dyslexia provides a clear understanding of a child's strengths and areas of difficulty, helping to explain why they may have experienced challenges with reading, writing, spelling, or processing information. This understanding can have a significant positive impact on self-esteem by replacing feelings of frustration or self-doubt with greater self-awareness and confidence. The assessment also provides tailored recommendations for effective teaching strategies, educational adjustments, and appropriate support, enabling the child to reach their full potential.
Frequently asked questions (Assessments):
What age does my child have to be for an assessment?
The BDA recommends children should be 8 years of age as a minimum for assessment. I provide assessment from the age of 8 to 17 years 11 months.
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What is an early screener?
This is a good option for exploring the possibility of Dyslexia. It takes about 1 hour
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How much do assessments cost?
A full diagnostic assessment with report costs £500 and an early screener costs £100.
Where does the assessment take place?
Assessments take place in my garden office in Chainhurst, Marden, Kent TN12 9TA. Easily accessed from both Maidstone and Tonbridge.
How long do assessments take and do I wait with my child?
Assessments take about 2-3 hours and you wait on the premises while it takes place.
How long will I have to wait for a report?
I aim to have reports completed and sent out by email as a password protected document within 14 working days.
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Do get in touch for a free consultation and to ask any more questions:
email: msteremasteringskills@outlook.com to book a phone call.
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Tutoring:
I offer bespoke 1:1 tutoring for reading, writing and early maths skills. This takes place in the pupil's own home. Each lesson is planned after careful assessment to fill the gaps, boost confidence and make learning fun. The sessions last an hour and include the use of multi sensory activities and games. Tutoring is usually offered from Year 2 upwards and is based on where the individual child is at with their learning, rather than their age or year group.
Some children will already have a dyslexia diagnosis but no diagnosis is necessary.
Tutoring costs £40-50 an hour depending on the distance from TN12 9TA.
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What Parents Say
Hear what parents have to say about Mastering Skills :
Melanie has really helped my daughter Emilia grow in confidence and make great progress with her learning. The support and strategies she has given her have not only helped in lessons but have also had a positive impact on her day-to -day school life and she has genuinely enjoyed every session.
Laura, Emilia's Mum
My son struggles at school with concentration and maintaining focus. We opted for a private tutor to help bridge the gaps in his learning. Melanie has been patient and engaging with my son and he has improved greatly with her fun and interactive tutoring style.
Laura Oliver's Mum
My daughter has been tutored by Melanie for two years, I can't tell you how much of a difference she has made, it's been amazing. My daughter has Dyslexia and was quite far behind in school. Melanie has not only supported her to catch up but to become more confident to speak out when things are not going well, she is now ready for secondary school feeling like she is the same as everyone else.
Thank you Melanie.
Michele Connie's Mum
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