A new school year always feels like a fresh start, and this September is no exception. Whether your child is skipping back through the gates for the first time or heading into their final year before GCSEs, here’s wishing every child across Highams Park, Chingford and Walthamstow a happy, confident year ahead.

A little bit of organisation in these first few weeks makes the rest of the year so much easier — especially in maths, where small gaps have a habit of quietly growing if they’re left unchecked. So before the term gets busy, here’s a simple checklist to help your child start the year on the front foot.

The general back-to-school checklist

• Set up a proper homework space — somewhere quiet, well-lit, and free of distractions
• Check equipment is sorted: calculator, ruler, protractor, compass, and a full pencil case
• Look back over last year’s end-of-year report together and talk through what to build on
• Agree a realistic homework routine now, before the term gets hectic — a small, regular slot beats a last-minute scramble
• Ask your child what they found tricky last year, and what they actually enjoyed — it’s often a good guide to where extra support will help most

For Year 6 (SATs)

• Check the SATs timetable and work backwards to a term-by-term plan
• Revisit any arithmetic or reasoning gaps left over from Year 5 before new topics pile on top
• Build confidence with regular, low-pressure practice rather than a last-minute cram in the spring

For 11+ candidates

• Confirm exam dates and registration deadlines for target schools — some close earlier than families expect
• Practise under timed conditions so exam-day pressure feels familiar, not frightening
• Keep an eye on stamina as well as accuracy — 11+ papers reward children who can hold focus to the last question

For KS3

• Get on top of new topics as they’re introduced, rather than letting small confusions become bigger ones by Christmas
• Encourage questions early — it’s far easier to fix a wobble in September than to unpick a term’s worth of misunderstanding in June
• Use this year to build genuine number confidence — it pays off at GCSE

For GCSE

• Confirm the exam board and specification, and note key assessment dates for the year
• Identify weaker topic areas from last year’s results and prioritise them early
• Start building exam technique gradually across the year, not just in the final term before mocks

Wherever you are, there’s support close by

Whatever your child needs help with this year — SATs, the 11+, KS3 or GCSE maths — Iulia Berlo offers one-to-one tutoring built entirely around your child, in person across Highams Park, Chingford and Walthamstow, or online if that suits your family better.

Iulia is QTS-qualified, DBS-checked, and a Pearson Edexcel GCSE examiner with nearly 20 years’ experience in the classroom. In her own words: “I’m passionate about our community — working with young people across E4 fills me with real hope for the next generation.”

New this September: book a free 30-minute taster session and see how Iulia can help your child build real confidence in maths this year.

👉 Book your free taster: berlotutoring.co.uk/contact 🌐 berlotutoring.co.uk

Here’s to a brilliant year ahead for all the children heading back to school this September.