Maths Tutor - Testimonials | Caversham | Debbie Took Maths Tuition

As these testimonials are public, I have used initials. However, if you would like to know more I am very happy to release the names of those parents and students who have indicated that they are willing for me to do so and will supply contact details if you would like to pursue further.

'Our daughter has been a student of Debbie's for a number of years and has just received a well-deserved Grade 9 at GCSE, which we are all absolutely delighted with. Debbie is more than just a fantastic tutor, she is a pillar of calm, strength and consistency which has been particularly welcome during the recent challenging times.

We would more than recommend Debbie's services to any student who is looking to gain confidence in Maths. Our daughter is now taking Maths for A Level as a direct result of Debbie's positive influence and guidance over the years, and we know she is sad Debbie doesn't offer A Level Maths tutoring as well! We feel very fortunate that our son is also a student with Debbie so we don't have to say a final "goodbye" just yet! She really is just excellent.'

H, mother of M (Gillotts)

‘I'd like to highly recommend Debbie. She's been an amazing tutor to my 16-year-old daughter, and has been very patient and accommodating. I couldn’t overestimate the progress achieved over the past 3 years, and she has recently finished secondary school with an Grade 7 in Maths. We absolutely credit Debbie’s help for this amazing achievement.’

M, father of H (Chiltern Edge).

'Debbie has been a fantastic tutor and I gained so much confidence in maths by the time GCSEs came around. I was predicted a 7 and came out with a Grade 9 [Grade 9 is the highest grade in the new 9-1 GCSE, achieved by the top 3% of students] and I was completely blown away! I would never have been able to get that grade without Debbie's help and I'll be forever grateful! She's very organised with lesson plans, homework, and was really focused on specific topics I needed help in. Huge thank you Debbie!'

MS, The Abbey

‘By the beginning of Year 10 I had lost all confidence regarding my Maths GCSE. I was coming bottom in my group in most tests and didn’t know how I could regain confidence. I was worried I would be moved down a set. Debbie helped me so much with my confidence and general enjoyment of Maths as a whole. I enjoyed every lesson and always felt encouraged, even when I didn’t quite get things right. She even helped me with my Further Maths GCSE and was the sole reason why I got an A* for Further Maths and Grade 8 (A*) for GCSE Maths.'

JG, Highdown.

‘Our daughter has just received a fabulous Grade 8 (A*) mark!’

I would highly recommend Debbie Took. We have used Debbie’s services for approximately three years – first with our son, then with our daughter and, now, for our third child (soon to be Year 9). Debbie is very patient, kind and explains things clearly and simply. We really couldn’t manage without her, with the increasingly difficult maths at school. We have tried other maths tutors over the years, and Debbie wins hands down. Debbie is just fabulous!'

LB, Peppard Common (Gillotts)

‘Just opened the results envelope to see “Maths – A*. What a fantastic result!

A few years back A struggled with her maths, lacking in confidence, panicking in tests and was stuck in a mindset thinking that she just couldn’t do maths. With Debbie’s help she has learnt to consolidate the basic maths skills, look at problems in a calm and logical way, develop revision and exam strategies and believe that she can do it. There’s no stopping her now – she’s off to do A level maths at college!’

P, mother of A (Chiltern Edge) (Two years later A contacted me to say she had achieved an A grade at A level and was off to university, and that 'this could not have been achieved without your support and encouragement helping me to enjoy maths over the years'.)

‘G is absolutely made up with her 7 in Maths. We both had a little weep in the car when she opened her results – Maths was the result that mattered to her the most. I can’t believe that two years ago we were looking at a Grade 3 and she got a Grade 7! Your hard work, patience and calming nature had G focused and believing in herself. She went into that exam with the determination to achieve – I could see it in her eyes and the elation after each paper when she faced her fears and felt that she had done her absolute best. I can’t thank you enough for the gift in believing in herself that has given G (not just in Maths but across all areas) and I hope that she carries this through to whatever she decides to do in her future. We couldn’t be any prouder of her. We are so glad we found you!’

M, mother of G, Gillotts.

‘My son E started going to maths tuition with Debbie Took mid-March in Year 11 after we realised that he was unlikely to get the grade he needed for Shiplake sixth form. He had had ‘B’s in his first two units prior to starting with Debbie. After three months with Debbie, he managed to get an A* in the third unit which brought his average up to an ‘A’ for his overall GCSE mark. We were thrilled with this and he has now gone on to Maths A-level. He couldn’t have achieved this without Debbie’s help and support.'

CD, mother of E, Gillotts

‘E got an A! He’s very happy! He’s back into Borlase! Thank you so much for your help. Not only did you manage to convey the technical skills but you instilled a self-confidence in E to aim for and reach a final grade that well but exceeded his predicted grade.’

Monique, mother of E, Borlase. (E needed an A in Maths to study Economics in the Sixth Form.)

‘I believe my parents already told you that I achieved a Grade 7 in Maths, which is something am very pleased and proud about, and is something that I wouldn’t have been able to get without you. Surprisingly I was about 7 marks off getting a Grade 8, which is incredible. So, anyway, thank you so much for your teaching over the last few years, which helped me not only move up sets but got me the grade I wanted.’

E, Borlase. (E moved up two sets while he was with me).

‘M’s confidence in Maths grew considerably through Debbie’s tutoring and this gave her the ability to believe in herself and achieve a very strong 7 (A) in the new-style GCSE. M enjoyed every lesson…my only regret is not arranging tutoring earlier.’

L, mother of M, Gillotts.

‘Not only did Debbie help me to cover unfamiliar topics she also helped to boost my confidence which helped me to overachieve in my Maths GCSE.’

M, Gillotts. (M spent a lot of secondary school in the lowest group where, incredibly, her high mathematical ability had not been spotted. Just before joining she had been moved up to the second set, but needed to fill gaps in learning from previous years. Even in the second set, at school, despite her asking, she was not taught Grade 7+ topics because ‘you are predicted Grade 6’. I taught them to her and….she is now considering A-level.)

‘Debbie really helped my daughter achieve her A grade. She was very supportive at all times, communicated with us both when needed and my daughter also thoroughly enjoyed her lessons.’

Mrs LD, mother of I, Highdown.

'J is over the moon he got an A ! Thank you for your help.'

(K D-L, mother of J, Gillotts.) J joined me in February, just four months before his GCSE. He'd achieved B in a school mock, but needed an A to study Maths A-level.

'Hi Debbie, it's J. I went and collected my results this morning and I got an A in my maths! Once again I would like to thank you for helping me as I know I wouldn't have done it without your help.'

(J, Highdown. J joined me at the beginning of Year 11 after achieving a C in his Year 10 GCSE (first of double award Linked Pair). So after one year of tuition his result rose by two grades.)

‘J says you’re the best teacher and he’s learned more with you than anyone else.’

MD, mother of J, Gillotts (J, a C/D borderline student in Year 9, achieved A grades in his Year 10 GCSE modules, and a B overall in Year 10/11.)

My two daughters came to Debbie as they were struggling at school with maths and weren’t on target to achieve their predicted grades. With Debbie’s help and patience both my daughters achieved a higher grade than expected-an A and a B. Both of my children now have a much higher understanding of maths and actually seem to quite enjoy it!'

S, mother of I and E (below).

'I am over the moon! I got a B! Thank you so much for all of your help - it really paid off. I definitely wouldn't have achieved it without your help. Thank you so much again.'

E, Langtree (E came to me at the beginning of Year 10, having achieved SAT Level 5 at the end of KS3 This would normally translate to C/D borderline at GCSE.)

'Got a B! Says he could never, ever have done it without you. THANK YOU SO MUCH. So he is going to Borlase. Thanks for everything. We are so grateful.'

JK, mother of KG, Gillotts. (KG came to me in Year 10 as a C/D borderline student. He needed a B to join the Sixth Form at William Borlase School.)

Debbie worked very calmly and gently with J for two years, enabling him to approach maths in a positive and composed manner. She worked through exactly the right topics he needed, really helping him work through anything he found hard. He was able to take the higher paper and achieved a 6 - far from what he was initially predicted! Many thanks again Debbie - you have been absolutely brilliant for J.

AD, mother of JD, Gillotts.

'Deborah really boosted F's confidence and gave her the belief and skills needed to achieve her grades at GCSE level.' (B)

EH mother of F, Gillotts (Year 11).

Debbie has been a fantastic tutor for my son , J, who needed some extra tuition to get him on track for his Maths GCSE’s. She helped him with all the bits of maths he hadn’t concentrated on too well in school and went over them until they were firmly in his mind. She also gave him great confidence, which helped him a lot. He has just passed both exams with good grades. She is good with teenagers and parents too as Debbie was great in keeping me informed on how his tuition was going, what he needed to revise and his general progress. Thank you so much Debbie, I’m sure that your tuition helped him do so well.'

K, mother of J, Highdown (In J’s Higher/Foundation ‘Methods’ GCSE, he achieved B, which was the highest grade available for the Higher/Foundation combination)

'Debbie started to work with my son in Y11. She is a very professional and reliable tutor and my son has found the way in which she explains mathematical problems hugely beneficial and this has resulted in him gaining confidence considerably. He has achieved the necessary grade to enable him to enrol on an engineering course. I have no hesitation in recommending Debbie as a tutor.'

CB, mother of C, Gillotts (Year 11). C was a 'C/D borderline' candidate. Prior to coming to me he'd achieved a D in his Year 10 unit. After tuition with me, his Year 11 mark was high enough to lift his overall mark to the C he needed for his course.

‘My daughter has been having tutorials with Debbie for the past two years. In that time she has developed a better strength and contribution in maths, and gained a solid grounding in all maths topics. I believe it has also brought greater confidence in other subjects too, and has given her much more ease and independence in learning for the future.’

N, mother of L, Chiltern Edge (L was with me in Year 8 and Year 9. L later achieved Grade 8 (A*).)

Hi Debbie

As you know, I got a 9 in Maths and words can't describe how happy I am. I was comfortably within the grade boundary and it just all feels like a bit of a dream. I honestly cannot thank you enough - you were the most fantastic tutor and explained things so clearly, so thank you very, very much.

D (Kendrick)

I'd like to highly recommend Debbie. She's been an amazing tutor to my 16 year-old daughter and has been very patient and accommodating. I couldn't overestimate the progress achieved over the past three years and she has recently finished secondary school with an A grade (7) in Maths. We absolutely credit Debbie's help for this amazing achievement.

M, father of H (Chiltern Edge)

J got a 9! He is chuffed! Thank you so much for everything and the lovely words of encouragement in your letter.'

C, mother of J (St Joseph's)

Our daughter has been a student of Debbie's for a number of years and has just received a well-deserved Grade 9 at GCSE, which we are all absolutely delighted with. Debbie is more than just a fantastic tutor; she has been a pillar of calm, strength and consistency which has been particularly welcome during the recent challenging times'.

We would more than recommend Debbie's services to any student who is looking to gain confidence in Maths. Our daughter is now taking Maths for A Level as a direct result of Debbie's positive influence and guidance over the years, and we know she is sad Debbie doesn't offer A Level Mths tutoring as well. We feel very fortunate that our son is also a student with Debbie so we don't have to say a final 'goodbye' yet! She really is excellent.

H, mother of M (Gillotts)

G is absolutely made up with her 7 in Maths. We both had a little weep in the car when she opened her results - maths was the result that mattered to her the most. I can't believe that two years ago we were looking at a Grade 3 and now we're on a 7! Your hard work, patience and calming nature had G focussed and believing in herself. She went into that exam with the determination to achieve - I could see it in her eyes and the elation after each paper when she faced her fears and felt that she had done her absolute best. I can't thank you enough for the gift in believing in herself that you have given G (not just in maths but across all areas). We couldn't be any prouder of her and are so glad we found you!

M, mother of G (Gillotts)

FOUNDATION GCSE

Please note - the highest mark available in Foundation GCSE pre 2017 was C . The highest mark available in 9-1 Foundation GCSE from 2017 is Grade 5 (the Govt’s ‘strong pass’) with a ‘standard pass’ being Grade 4.

'You'll be very pleased to know that I got a Grade 5 in my Maths GCSE!'

A (home-educated)

'I'm not quite sure how you did it, but you've actually made me enjoy maths!'

A, Highdown. (A achieved Grade 5.)

‘I would like to say: Debbie is a great maths tutor. She gave me lots of motivation and confidence. She prepared me well for my GCSEs by giving me challenging work/homework that stretched me to my best ability. She is great at communicating with her students so that she can find what you need help with the most. I highly recommend Debbie if you want to succeed in maths.

Thanks again for everything. You were amazing!’

I, Highdown. (I obtained a Grade 5.)

'HE DID IT!!!!! ALL THANKS TO YOU! Feeling proud!'

LB, mother of G (Gillotts). (G joined me at the end of Year 10, shortly after achieving an F in a GCSE mock. He achieved C at the end of Year 11 - a rise of three grades. Note G came to me twice-weekly, although the majority of students come once a week.)

'D got a C!!!! He is thrilled to bits!!! We are so relieved. This has been a real team effort of which you were a key part.'

LA, mother of D (Highdown). (D joined me in Y9, where he was working at SAT Level 4.)

'So pleased with the result my son T achieved in his GCSE Maths this year - this is due to the tutoring he received from D. T was not keen to be tutored but actually enjoyed going as he could see for himself the difference it made.'

WB, mother of T (Highdown). (T joined me in January of Y11, having obtained an E in his mock. He achieved a C grade.)

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH for all your efforts with her. That last intensive push really helped.

(Mother of S, who didn't like maths at all, but was so pleased to get the Grade 4 necessary to enrol on an Art, Design and Photography course!)

I'm not quite sure how you did it, but you've actually made me enjoy Maths!'

(A, Highdown) Postscript - A contacted me two years later to tell me that 'That 5 in Maths allowed me to take Economics at A Level, which went on to be one of my favourite and strongest subjects. I came out with an A grade in Economics and now my A Level results (A*, A, A) have allowed me to read Law at Nottingham! All I can say is thank you. Best wishes, A.)

You'll be very pleased to know that I got a Grade 5 in my Maths GCSE.

A (home-educated).