What a first lesson and first month could cover
A useful first lesson should feel active, not like a vague chat. The tutor can use the student’s board, unit option, recent work and confidence level to decide what to do first. The plan below is an example, not a fixed script for every tutor.
- Bring a recent essay, mark scheme, class notes or specification link if available.
- Agree whether homework should be set after lessons and how feedback will be given.
- Ask how often the tutor will update parents for an older, more independent student.
- Intro or first session
- Confirm board, AS or Year 12 course path, religion or unit option, recent essays, current grades or teacher comments, and the student’s confidence level.
- Week 1
- Identify whether the main issue is knowledge, evaluation, essay structure, timing, motivation or exam technique.
- Week 2
- Teach or revisit one priority concept, then model how to turn it into a short evaluative paragraph.
- Week 3
- Use a past-paper style question, mark-scheme language or teacher feedback to refine the answer.
- Week 4
- Review progress, agree homework or independent practice, and update the plan around mocks, deadlines or exam dates.