FAQs
Thinking of enrolling your child in a MagiKats tuition workshop? We’ve put together a list of our most frequently asked questions to help you understand more about our programmes.
Our Services
What subjects does MagiKats offer?
We specialise in out-of-school tutoring in maths and English through our national network of Tuition Centres across the UK.
What ages do you tutor?
We cater for all children and ages – from pre-school right through to GCSE and National 5 level.
How are you different FROM other tutoring services?
You’ll find that the MagiKats tuition programme is very different from other tutoring services as we don’t just focus on subject skills. Your child will benefit from our learning workshops that cover competencies such as reasoning, study techniques, thinking skills and social skills.
We provide a positive learning experience through our fun and interactive workshops and our comprehensive programme is designed to deliver the perfect mix of teaching and practice for every student. Read more about our tuition programmes.
How do I sign up to the MagiKats programme?
Once you locate the nearest centre to you by using our find a centre map, give your local MagiKats Principal a call or email to arrange an initial meeting and assessment. We can then discuss your goals and your child’s learning needs face-to-face.
Our Tuition Centres
Where are your Tuition Centres?
We have lots of centres across the UK, including in Scotland and Wales. Take a look to see if we have a centre that’s local to you.
If we don’t currently have workshops taking place near you, be sure to add your email address using the ‘notify me’ button at the bottom of the find a centre page so you can be the first to hear when a new location starts up.
Learn more about the set-up of our Tuition Centres and our key principles.
Do you offer taster sessions?
Some centres do offer a taster session, but this is location dependent. If available in your local centre, then your child will be able to take part in a workshop where they will work with a mentor and a small group of students to see what learning with MagiKats is like.
Are the staff qualified?
Each of our centre Principals are experienced, qualified and have had extensive training on the MagiKats programme. Our centres also employ additional mentors who are carefully chosen for their skills and personable approach. The MagiKats programme is continually revised and updated by our team of subject specialists at MagiKats HQ.
Our workshops
What happens when my child attends a workshop?
We want your child to be comfortable in their learning environment and ensure that sessions aren’t thought of as a chore. We understand that children learn best when they receive positive encouragement and are supported individually. So, there’s plenty of interactive activities and hands-on learning during our workshops. They will be mixed in a small group of similar age/abilities and placed with a friendly mentor that will offer one-to-one support when needed.
How long does each workshop last?
Each workshop session lasts 40 minutes for one subject.
What size is a workshop group?
One of the leading principles of MagiKats is our personal approach to learning which is why we ensure that our groups are always small. Your child will usually work with up to five other students under the careful supervision of a mentor. This will give them the opportunity for one-to-one tuition as well as the benefits of learning and interacting with one another in a fun and friendly environment.
How much does tuition cost?
We understand that the cost of funding extra tuition is a concern for most parents and so we have made our services as affordable as possible. After your initial placement session there is a simple monthly fee. This varies from area to area but is usually in the range of £65-£85 per month, per subject. Read more about the affordability of MagiKats and our exceptional value.
Can I use childcare vouchers?
Sadly, we are unable to accept childcare vouchers as we are an out of school education programme operating limited hours and so not eligible for Ofsted registration.
Is there a discount for more than one child?
Unfortunately, we are not usually able to offer multiple enrolment discounts, but please ask your local Principal for their policy.
Do I need to sign up for a whole year of learning?
We ask for a minimum commitment of three months so that your child can feel the benefit of their efforts. You will then be placed on a rolling monthly contract with a simple month’s notice period if you wish to cancel.
What happens if my child can’t attend a workshop?
If your child is unable to attend a session, please let us know by giving your Principal a call/email at the earliest possible opportunity. Unfortunately, we are unable offer refunds for missed sessions. We operate an all-inclusive flat rate regardless of the number of workshops available or the number you attend. This ensures that we have the appropriate staff to student ratio and can continue to operate our full workshop programme.
Our programme
Can you help with SATs, CAT, GCSE and Nat 5 exam preparation?
Absolutely! We’re on hand to ensure your child can achieve their best possible results at the crucial times in their school life.
Our Key Stage 2 SATs tuition programme includes engaging materials centred around the curriculum. We encourage pupils to help them understand the newer, tougher curriculum standards and place a strong emphasis on Reasoning and plenty of question practice. Our focus is on building the skills and confidence your child needs to work to their very best capabilities.
We also help prepare your child for CATs or Cognitive Ability Tests that take place in Year 7. These tests assess three main areas: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. Where SATs test a pupil’s knowledge, CATs are used to monitor ability and potential. That’s where the MagiKats programme really comes into its own as Reasoning is a fundamental part of our programmes. This offers students enhanced learning that will benefit them in life at school and at home.
We understand how vital the last years at high school are for our students and so offer bespoke GCSE preparation and National 5 programmes to support your child with their learning before this crucial exam period. Our programme has been specifically set up to support the relevant curriculum which is built around a series of threads and all workshops are underpinned by the reinforcement of essential core skills.
What does Reasoning tuition cover?
An important skill for all pupils as they grow and learn is Reasoning. This is the process of thinking logically to form a conclusion or judgement and the ability to reason well can have great long term benefits across all subjects. During our workshops we help students develop their verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills. These activity based sessions are delivered by specially trained mentors and are usually suitable for students between the ages of 9 and 14.
We help your child to develop vital skills that have longer term positive impacts in your child’s life after school.
Do students have access to computers when attending workshops?
We believe that your child benefits most from hands-on activity-based learning and we do not use computers during our workshops. Our mentors add that special personal touch that computers just cannot match to maximise your child’s learning opportunity.
Do you offer tuition during school holidays?
We are pleased to offer students continuous workshops throughout the year and have a special summer programme so that our pupils can get a head-start on the new school term and make progress over the summer months. Our varied programmes will ensure the right balance between work and fun.
Your Child’s Learning
How do I help my child get the best results from their tuition?
Lots of encouragement. Our programmes are specifically designed to support the National Curriculum (in England and Wales) and Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence and so will strengthen their learning at school. As part of your child’s plan, you will receive easy to follow worksheets that should be completed at home. We also provide regular reports on your child’s progress and encourage informal chats with our Principals to help you nurture and inspire your child’s development.
Will my child get homework?
Yes. We provide all the materials you will need to carry on the learning at home. These simple worksheets focus on core skills and are tailored to your child’s learning needs and age.
When should I consider getting private tuition for my child?
This decision will vary depending on your circumstances. You may be concerned about lost learning as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic or just want to ensure your child can get the best possible results from their schooling. Perhaps you want to give your child a head-start when first starting school or as they make the big move to secondary education. We recommend you contact your local centre to discuss your individual requirements and arrange a no-obligation consultation.
We’ve put together a handy guide covering the main reasons why you might want to consider private tuition.
Do you cater for individual learning requirements and disabilities?
All of our Principals are highly trained and the MagiKats programme is completely tailored to your child. Our initial consultation and ongoing monitoring will ensure they receive the best style of learning for their needs.
How will MagiKats tuition help with school work?
Our tuition programmes are not a replacement for school but have been specifically designed to support school learning. All of our materials have been carefully prepared to be consistent with the school curriculum and are closely monitored so they can be adapted as requirements change. Our blog on how we can help with school work covers all you need to know about how our programmes aid school education.
Our Company
What is the history of the company?
MagiKats is a family run business that has been established for more than 15 years. Our directors have extensive experience in education and bring with them many years of knowledge in teaching and tutoring. The foundations of the operation are driven by the clear need for children to be supported individually in the challenges posed by the school curriculum. Read more about our history.
How do I become a MagiKats Principal?
MagiKats is a franchised business and so all of our Principals have been thoroughly trained in the MagiKats way of working. We’re always on the look-out for motivated individuals who would like to run their own education business and understand the importance of child development and learning. If you have a teaching or education background and want the flexibility of being your own boss, but with the support and back-up of a well-known brand, find out more about how you can become a MagiKats Franchisee.
