The boy is a bright child who, academically, is performing above his age. He has a reading age of 16, and enjoys both fact and fiction. He is fluent in French, having been schooled in French schools until 18 months ago. He also spoke excellent German, although he claims not to be able to understand it any more. He likes Latin. His best subjects in school are Science and Maths.

Recent psychological evaluations showed a marked differential between his verbal comprehension index (VCI) and fine motor performance. His handwriting is very slow, which causes him to become frustrated in school and results in some unwanted behaviours. He is learning to touch type, and it is hoped that over the summer his assignments will be completed using his laptop in order that his speed and accuracy improve enough for him to be able to use the laptop daily in the classroom. He loves learning, and feels his current set is not moving fast enough. Until he can demonstrate his writing ability, the school has refused to move him up. It is hoped that if he is able to put his thoughts down more quickly in the subjects where his slow writing inhibits his ability to demonstrate his potential, it will reduce his frustration, help him control his temper and improve his work focus. Unfortunately, because of the work product and behavioural consequences, his headmaster thinks that he is not bright, and is not supportive of his applications to the next stage of his education. The consequence of this is that his application for a place at an excellent senior school is likely to be impaired.

He is adamant that he is happy at his prep school, but it is not altogether clear from his behaviour in school that this is true. It may be that the pressure he feels from the school and his peers affects his focus. In an effort to minimise the possibility that focus may be a problem, he started on the Dore Programme, which he will continue at least until October 2011. Tutors International has worked with this family over the last 5 years, and knows them well. Although he can be hard work at times, he is essentially a bright and capable boy who is having a hard time at school because he cannot show his true potential. Compounding this, the competitive atmosphere of his prep school, where students are encouraged to outperform one another, does not really suit his learning style. He responds far better to tasks that are rewarded for process rather than outcome.

During the summer, when the family is in Normandy, the Tutor will work predominantly with the boy to try to instill a passion for learning that includes an understanding for the need to be more personally responsible for the way his actions affect those people key to assessing his abilities. The Tutor will work with him across all of his school subjects, with particular focus on composition and comprehension. The Tutor will also need to work with him to encourage him to practice his touch-typing in order that he has sufficient speed when he returns to school after the summer.

He enjoys sports, and so perhaps time spent playing sports with the boy could be a reward for effort during more formal learning lessons. The Tutor will therefore need to be fit and sporty and willing to spend time playing cricket, tennis etc.

The Tutor may also work with his younger sister, who is bright and conscientious, and who may want some help with her maths.

The Tutor should remember that this is the children’s summer holiday, and include educationally rich activities among his or her tutoring plans.

Although the Tutor will not be expected to work with the children for 35 hours a week, the Client appreciates that the Tutor will be there full time, and that this will therefore be treated as a full time job.

The Client will cover the cost of transport to and from Normandy at the beginning and end of the contract. The Tutor will also have access to a car whilst in Normandy.

The Tutor will have their own room in the family house, with private use of a kitchen and bathroom.

It would be an obvious advantage if the Tutor had a good level of French. The family have 9-month old Irish terrier and a cat, so the Tutor will need to be comfortable around pets.