Becoming an I Love to Learn Centre Director-Grazia Naylor

Grazia joined us as tutor and Centre Manager a few years ago.  In 2023 she became our first Centre Director, taking on full responsibility for the brand new Fareham Centre.

Taking the Next Step 

I came to teaching later in life and worked as a secondary mathematics teacher for over ten years. In that time I used tutoring to make extra income. 

I Love to Learn was the next step in my journey and I became a tutor with them in 2020. The training they have provided over the past few years has given me the confidence to help students, not just with mathematics, but also with English, Early Reading, and 11+ tuition.  Howard and Linda (the founders) have been fantastic mentors. Little did I know when I joined that I would become their business partner! 

The Fareham centre was due to move and, when it did, I moved with it.  I changed from being a classroom teacher to being the Fareham Center Director.  Being a Centre Director means you are responsible for all parts of the business – building the business through sales and marketing (with the support and help of Howard), to managing finances and accounts (with the support and help of Linda) through to making sure the centre always looks smart.  I love it because, although I am autonomous, I am not alone.   

The fabulous new Fareham Centre is now going from strength to strength.  Nearly all our sessions are at capacity, I work with amazing tutors (we’re always looking for more) and the future is looking bright.  I get a bonus and profit share, so it is also rewarding. 

If you are thinking of making a change, in what can sometimes be a stress-fuelled industry, then I Love to Learn could be the solution to your work-life balance.  I have certainly never regretted joining them.  Grazia Naylor.

Read Our Glassdoor Review Here….

Read More About How to Become a Centre Director Here..

11+ Common Entrance Exams Guide

11 Plus Common Entrance Assessments Advice and Tips

When and how are the 11+Common Entrance Assessments taken?

11 Plus Common Entrance Assessment

Taken in winter of Year 6 (dates my vary from school to school so please check) : in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

N.B. The exams are set by each independent school individually so may vary.

Some regions have 11 Plus Entrance Test for state Grammar Schools.  This is not the case in Hampshire.  The nearest areas with state 11 Plus exams are Dorset, Surrey and Berkshire.

see: https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/

When should we start preparing our child for the exams?

This of course will vary from child to child.  For the average to strong child, we would recommend getting a full assessment at about a year before: e.g January of Year 5.  You can do this yourself by buying 11 Plus assessment tests or visit a tutor or tutoring centre that has experience with 11 Plus.  After that you will be able to decide which areas to focus your efforts on.

If students are significantly behind in maths or English, then I would suggest an earlier start in, at least, the beginning of Year 5.

How should I prepare my child for the exam?

Make sure the school you choose is the right one for your child:

Independent schools and grammar schools may be more academically competitive than most.  Some children thrive in this environment, and it is absolutely right for them, but not for everyone.  Also, some schools may also expect excellence in areas like sport and music.  Again, this is wonderful for some children but not so for others. Make sure you do your homework, visit the school and talk to as many people as possible about it.

Get the current class teacher on side:

Chat to your child’s teacher about where your child is at and if there are areas for improvement.  Let them know that you have high expectations for them and want them to be pushed.  They should want to encourage this as it will be good for the school’s results too!

Make a good plan and stick to it:

Make a clear routine and stick to it.  There are a number of routes you can take.  Home learning, employing a tutor, using a specialist tuition centre or online courses.  Most children won’t volunteer to do extra maths and English lessons, so there will need to be some buying in and some rewards at the end (and possibly in the middle).  If you truly believe that the effort will be worthwhile, pass or fail, then it is worth pushing through.

Actively developing a wide range of vocabulary will be essential.

One of the core reasons some children are successful in their 11 Plus Exams and others are not is because some children have a wider vocabulary than others.  This has to be developed in context and can’t really be taught by rote.  Talk about stories, books and characters.  Read stories to them, hear them read and play story CDs in the car.  It helps children to hear stories before they write them.  I am afraid TV is too chopped up and fast moving to hold any narrative, so minimise this.

The secret to good maths basics is rock solid times tables.

Practice and re-enforce basic maths skills such as timed tables.  It’s an essential skill that will improve accuracy but also fluency (getting it right but also completing more questions).

Reduce stress, anxiety and pressure as much as possible.

Of course, all this extra work and preparation is bound to lead to some stress for your child.  This is a normal and natural part of life and you will know how much is too much.  Keep to routine by making sure they are well rested and get plenty of exercise.  Avoid late nights or sleepovers during this time.

Too much pressure reduces mental maths ability and vocabulary recall by around 10%-30%, that’s enough for a bright child to not be as successful as was envisaged.  Be warned, do everything you can to make preparation as fun, relaxed and as enjoyable as possible. Make sure your child knows that the world will not stop turning if they are not successful.

Click here to find out more about the 11+ Exams date in January…

The 6-week Summer

English and Maths Tuition in the Summer (Portsmouth, Fareham & Havant)

Summer days are always welcome.  The sunshine and that extra Vitamin D always makes us feel more positive.  However, academically, the summer holidays can be detrimental.  It is a long time to not be engaged with learning.  The old adage “If you don’t use it, you lose it” holds true, not just for our physical skills but also for our intellectual skills.

One of the best ways parents can combat the “brain drain” and enable children to be ahead of their peers at the start of the Autumn term is to attend booster sessions over the summer holiday.  These involve two hours of English and Mathematics at a level that will help with a student’s confidence and enable them to improve in these core subjects.  We have three weeks available and you can book individual sessions at a time to suit you.

So, what are you waiting for?  Sign up by following this link:

https://www.ilovetolearn.co.uk/summer-school-and-catch-up/

Improve Your Reading Comprehension with I Love to Learn

Fun With Reading Comprehension!

At I Love to Learn Professional Tuition, we are often asked by parents about how to help children with their reading.  Here are some reading comprehension skills to master.

1. Preview:

Before diving into a text, take a moment to preview it. Skim the headings, subheadings, and any bold or italicized text. This gives you an idea of what to expect and activates your prior knowledge.

This is a skill you might use when reading a newspaper.  Most people don’t read every word, they just skim the headlines and read the articles that they are interested in.

2. Ask Questions:

Engage with the text by asking yourself questions as you read. Who are the main characters? What is the main idea? Questioning helps you stay focused and encourages deeper understanding.

It helps if someone else can do the asking so that you have to explain it to them.

3.Visualize:

Create mental images of what you’re reading. Imagine the setting, characters, and actions in your mind. Visualizing helps you connect with the text and enhances comprehension and retention.  What would it feel like to be in the story?

Good reading leads to good writing.  Practice visualization and you will become better at creating good description yourself.

4.Summarize:

After reading a section or passage, pause and summarize the main points or key events in your own words. This helps consolidate your understanding and highlights any areas that need further clarification.

5. Monitor and Adjust:

Be aware of your comprehension as you read. If something doesn’t make sense, reread or look up unfamiliar words. Adjust your reading speed and strategies accordingly to ensure maximum comprehension.

Remember, practice makes perfect! These strategies can improve your reading comprehension skills and make your reading experience more enjoyable and rewarding. Happy reading!

Find out more about English Tutoring Here..

Official Launch Day 17th June 2023-Pictures

The Mayor and Mayoress  of Fareham have officially opened our  brand new centre

We are excited to be welcoming the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham to open our bespoke tuition centre in central Fareham on Saturday 17th June.  We want to extend a warm invitation to you whether you are a past, present or potential user of our professional tuition services.

The event is taking place from midday.  Fun, games and live music are all on the agenda!  We will also be announcing the winners of our Royal Writing competition with the Mayor and Mayoress presenting the royal prizes.

We do hope you can join us!

SATs HELP FOR BUSY PARENTS

SATs Help:  How can busy parents help their children facing Year 6 SATs?

When and How?
Age 11 early May of Year 6: SATs in English and maths, marked externally, results published nationally. Teacher assessment in science.

Year 6 SATs

These are held early May, the Key Stage 2 tests are a bit more formal: done over a set week, with certain papers on particular days, and marked externally. Papers are typically delivered to the school on the Monday of SATs week. Your child should expect to complete the following papers:

Day 1: Grammar and Punctuation
Spelling Test

Day 2: English Reading Test

Day 3: Maths Arithmetics (Paper 1)

Day 4: Maths Reasoning (Paper 2)
Maths Reasoning (Paper 3)

Obviously, the children will be aware that there is something going on and that they are going to be tested.  During Year 6, your child will undoubtedly get plenty of exam practice and specific work on how to answer particular questions in exams, particularly in regards to the reading comprehension exam.  Some schools will put on more pressure or expect more revision than others, with many offering extra tutoring either before or after school. It may be a motivator for some kids to try and bit harder, however, many find it stressful.

Our Advice:

You can also help your child at home in the following ways:

Chat to the teacher about where your child is at and if there are areas for improvement.

Keep to routine by making sure they are well rested and get plenty of exercise.  Avoid late nights or sleepovers during this time.

Talk to them about why tests are important but also not to worry.  Keep up the communication so that they can tell you how they feel.

Talk about stories, books and characters.  Read them stories and hear them read.  Play story CDs in the car.  It helps children to hear stories before they write them.  Much children’s TV is chopped up into short or fast moving chunks that don’t hold any narrative, so minimise this.

Practice and re-enforce basic maths skills such as timed tables.  It’s an essential skill that will  improve accuracy but also fluency (getting it right but also completing more questions).

Suggested Links:

Here is a link to Past Papers:

KS 2 Year 6 Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling Past Paper

KS 2 Year 6 Reading Assessment Booklet

KS 2 Year 6 Reading Assessment Questions

KS 2 Year 6 Maths Paper 1 (Arithmetic)

KS 2 Year 6 Maths Paper 2 (Reasoning)

KS 2 Year 6 Maths Pape 3 (Reasoning)

We recommend Andrew Brodie books especially for maths.

Also CPG SATs revision books are great for maths and English.

In the end it is better that issues are flagged up now if they need extra support.  SATs should be information for you and the school about your child’s progress rather than their performance.  If you would like to book a free assessment with us to get professional advice then click here…

Who Our Tuition Is Not Suited For?

A Guide to Who Will Not Benefit From Our Tuition Service

We want parents and children to get the best out of our tuition service.  The last thing we want to do is waste anyone’s money on something that is not for them.

Here is a guide to help parents decide if we are the right service for their child or children.

Last minute exam prep-esp GCSE

We are not able to cram for exams.  Our tuition is designed to look for areas of weakness that students might have.  We may need to go back a few years (educationally) to work on skills that students may have missed.  This can take some time, and if you (or the student), are too focussed on an exam you might become frustrated.  We are aiming for mastery and not just short term exam performance (that will probably be forgotten the day after the exam!)

SEN

We are not a specialist special needs centre.  However, if we meet children for an assessment and feel we can work with them, we take them on.  There are a few students, maybe their behaviour is too bad or maybe they can’t speak any English, who we find it difficult to help.  The best thing to do is book in for a free assessment and we will give you our honest opinion.

Can’t Attend a Centre Regularly

Regular attendance at lessons is essential for progress.   In many cases we only get 80 minutes once a week. We do not want to waste anyone’s money, so if you cannot attend regularly, we may not be the place for you.

If You Want Online Tutoring

We do not have an online offer at the moment.  We still feel in centre tutoring is of a much higher quality than online, and that most children needs teachers to be present.

Free or Cheap Tuition

Good quality tuition by professional and experienced tutors does cost money.  We have to provide a great learning environment and pay for fantastic, experienced and qualified tutors.  We try to provide the best tuition that money can buy but we quite understand that it is not in everyone’s budget.  We are committed to helping your child make progress so please don’t try to drive down our prices.

Common Questions About Our Tuition Services

Ask A Question And We Will Answer

In this article we answer some of the common questions that parents ask.  We hope that you will find it useful.

Is it One to One?

Yes, but each tutor has four or five students at a time.  They are able to give each student one to one attention, even though they may be learning different subjects or be different ages.  Each week, the tutor will plan a individual programme for your child to help them with any areas of weakness.  Because all the planning and resources are prepared in advance, the tutor is able to teach each student something new each session.

Will you Come to Our Home?

No, all of our tutoring is done in our centres so your child has access to all of our learning packages and technology in an optimal learning environment, without any distractions.  Try homeschooltutoring…

Do You Do Online Tuition?

No, we do not have an online offer at the moment.  We feel that we can deliver the best quality lessons in person and we feel that children respond better when teachers are present in the room.

How long will it take to solve my child’s problem?

Every child is different, so it’s important they come in for a FREE Assessment so we can come up with a plan and goals, for them to work towards. We don’t know how long it will take, but we promise to give you honest feedback about progress. Every session that your child attends is individually planned and adapted to suit their particular needs. We aim to unlock areas of difficulty as soon as we can for each child.

How do I know that my child will improve?

We guarantee to work with your child until they feel confident to flourish and no longer feel daunted by the problematic area. Combined with our expert tutoring, their school work and extra homework from us; your child will feel supported, encouraged and will make progress in the areas you are concerned about.

Can you tutor my child with a Special Educational Need?

We are not a SEN centre, but because we tailor our lesson plans to the specific needs of each child we have taught children with diagnosed ADHD, Aspergers, Dyslexia, Autism and others in the past.  If your child falls into one of these categories it’s very important you get in touch and set up an interview with us and an assessment. Then, we can establish whether we can effectively tutor your child.

Our Portsmouth Centre has wheelchair access and the use of a disabled toilet. We want to offer the best for all the children we tutor, so this is a very important process.  We are always willing to go the extra mile regardless of any special need. Please call for more details.

If you have a question or concern why don’t you email us at tutors@ilovetolearn.co.uk

Please find more FAQs here…

11+ Entrance Assessments 2026/7

Independent Schools in Portsmouth, Fareham, & Havant

Greetings, parents! In the Portsmouth area, you’ll find a variety of independent schools, each offering its own unique blend of educational ethos and environment, ranging from the grand to the intimate, and spanning a spectrum of academic rigour. We take great pleasure in assisting children with their preparation for the 11+ common entrance assessments, recognising the significance of this milestone. Additionally, we recognise the importance of ensuring everyone is well-informed regarding relevant dates and schedules. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on that front.

Scholarships

Academic Scholarships may be awarded to the top achievers based on the results of the school’s 11+ assessment. The criteria for this will vary from school to school, so you must apply directly to them.

Additionally, some schools offer scholarships for excellence in Art, Drama, Music, and Sport at 11+, 13+, and Sixth Form. These need to be applied for, and applications are usually submitted by the end of November preceding the September of entry. You can apply for more than one scholarship.

Financial Assistance

Some schools may offer financial assistance (means tested on income and exam performance) for Year 7 and Year 9 entry, and the deadline for applying is normally the end of November (September in the case of Portsmouth Grammar School), prior to the year of entry. Often, financial assistance is allocated first and foremost based on the child’s exceptional performance in the Entrance Assessments; the financial information you provide is then considered.

N.B. Please note that advice given here may vary between individual schools. It is important that you get in touch with individual schools to find out their exact criteria for entry requirements, scholarships, and financial assistance.

Common Entrance Assessment or 11+

This exam is so called as it is taken at the age of 11 years at the beginning of secondary education. Not all independent schools are selective, but almost all schools will want students to take an entrance assessment exam of some kind.

The entrance exams always cover maths and English to a high level. Children are also usually tested on their verbal and nonverbal reasoning. These tests are designed to be more difficult to prepare for as they are not school subjects. Verbal reasoning is concerned with language and word problems, while non-verbal reasoning includes logic, shape, and number patterns.

The 11+ Assessments typically consist of the following: Maths (50 mins); English (45 mins); Reading Comprehension (30 mins); Non-verbal Reasoning (30 mins); plus an Interview (20 mins).

Full Bursary

“We are so pleased that Mahera has got a FULL BURSARY for the local girl’s high school in Portsmouth. She has been to your centre before for tuition, but we came back in November so she could get ready for the exams. She has worked so hard and Linda has really encouraged her in her writing! Thanks so much!”

Click here to read more about our success…..

Portsmouth Grammar School

11+ and 13+ Entrance Assessment

Saturday 7th November 2026

(Deadline for registering is Friday, 26^th September 2026)

Mayville High School

All Candidates Sit Exam

Saturday 14th November 2026

Portsmouth High School for Girls

Music, Art, Drama & Sport Scholarship Day

Monday 23rd November 2026

11+ Assessment Day

Saturday 21st November 2026

The Gregg School

Assessment can be booked all year

Meoncross School

Open Evening:  Thursday 1st October 6-8pm 2026

Open Morning Tuesday 6th October 10am-12pm 2026

Boundary Oak School

Assessment can be booked all year

Are you considering entering your child for an independent school?  Then book a Free Assessment today!

NOW IS THE TIME

If your child is currently in Year 5, then NOW is the time to start preparing for the entrance assessment exam in January.

During your child’s free forty-five-minute assessment we will:

• Test your child’s reading age, spelling age and maths ability.
• Give you honest feedback on your child’s ability to pass the entrance exams for each school.
• Discuss our previous experience preparing students for entrance exams for local independent schools.

  

• Give you a breakdown of the topics your child needs to cover to prepare for the entrance exam.
• Explain our materials and teaching methods to you.
• Give you the chance to ask any questions and to tap into our expertise.

Click here to find out more about tutoring for Entrance Exams …

Where Are They Now?

I Love to Learn Find Out What Happened to Some of Our Ex-Students

Having tutored children in Portsmouth since 2005, many of our students have gone on the better things.  Occasionally I notice on LinkedIn or Facebook what people are doing now.  I thought I would share a couple of stories:

Tom Malbon

Tom studied English with us over ten years ago.  He says “I would say that the tuition was a big help early on when I was struggling with grammar and spelling and helped me get on track to achieve in later years.”

He is currently in his second year studying BEng Hons Mechanical Engineering at Oxford Brookes University with the aim to achieve a career in Formula one. He is also an active part of the Aerodynamics department at Oxford Brookes Racing as they aim to participate in various Formula Student competitions across Europe.

Great to hear from you Tom!

Mary Amalathas

Mary also came to us for help with English and was always a very hard working student.  She is now a CPAA Qualified Accountant, Chartered Manager (CMgr MCMI) and a ‘First Class’ Accounting and Finance (BA Hons) degree holder.

“Linda had helped me tremendously by going above and beyond in various aspects of preparation for my GCSEs, including a one-to-one for Science which was not even offered by the tuition centre at the time. The only regret is that I didn’t join ‘I love to learn’ any sooner. I can safely say that I got through some subjects like English Literature only because of Linda’s guidance and the techniques she taught me. I am forever grateful to her. Linda takes great care and attention with each child she teaches.”

Thank you both for your kind words!

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