Trying to keep up with your kids’ education can feel like a losing battle. But there are digital tools that can help in the fight to stay aware.
Author: Holly Billinghurst
How to stop talking about ‘target grades’ and start improving results
Target grades set unnecessary barriers to achievement. Here’s how to switch up the dialogue.
5 creative projects for homeschooling IT
Learning computing doesn’t have to mean staring blankly at a screen. We share some of our favourite creative approaches designed to develop a love of computing.
Creating a Tuition Co-Working Space in Worthing
Since moving from classroom teaching to tuition two years ago, one of the main aspects that I have found that is missing from my working life is access to a custom designed working space that suits both me and the students that I work with. After trying out a number of solutions, including hiring co-working office space I realised that in order to have the space that works for us as tutors I’d have to create it myself!
The Worthing TeachAllAboutIt Tuition Centre has been in development for a number of months and it is an enormously wonderful feeling to be able to share with you the results of all the hard work. In designing the centre, we have included the needs of a variety of tutors and students and adapted our plans to include the more recent requirement for social distancing.
Where Are We?
We’re located in 303 Tarring Road, Worthing on the ground floor of a delightful Victorian building that was once a sweet shop! As soon as we visited, we knew that this was the perfect place for us and our students. Being in West Worthing allows us to be away from the bustle of the town centre, but easily accessible by public transport as we’re 180m away from the train station!
Being close to West Worthing has also meant that we’re closer to many other small independent shops and the past few weeks has really opened my eyes to quite how many other small businesses there are locally. We’ve already discovered an absolutely fabulous small coffee shop, which does mean that my cinnamon bun intake may increase exponentially…
Tutor Co-Working
Finding suitable space away from the home for private tuition has been increasingly difficult, so we have purposely designed the front area of the centre to be used by local private tutors seeking a quiet & comfortable working space alongside their tutees (whether that is in person, or online).
Co-Working space is a flexible way to work within an office without the pressure (and cost!) of an ongoing contract, but with the benefits of a desk, WiFi, and the office kitchen. Tutors can hire a desk for just a day, or on a more regular basis with everything they need included (WiFi, refreshments, reception area). Co-Working space is available for tutors from 10am – 8pm with an option to reduce the cost through regular bookings.
Our Co-Working spaces are open plan and laid out to allow for social distancing. We have also reduced the number of bookings for each space to one per day to allow each “station” to be fully sanitised – tutors are given a “tutor pack” for the day including stationary (to keep) and a mug (returned & sanitised) to ensure that no equipment is shared.
Student Study Support
Not all tuition is the same, and our homework / study clubs run on Tuesday & Thursdays for 1-3 hours after school providing a quiet working space for a range of subjects with a qualified teacher on hand to provide supervision and support where needed.
Each student is assigned an individual, adjustable desk creating a comfortable environment for them whether they are completing Maths, English, or even Art! At present, the desks are arranged to allow for students to face away from others and we will continue to monitor public health advice on desk positions.
Our study club runs from 3.30pm – 6.30pm each Tuesday & Thursday during term time. The majority of the sessions are supervised by me (Holly), but will occasionally be run by other fully qualified tutors. A second member of staff is always in the building.
Online Tuition & Private Exams
An additional two “office” areas have been created at the back of the centre for online tuition and the ability for students to sit on-screen exams.
The middle room is occupied by me (Holly!) where I run my Computer Science tuition alongside supporting other tutors through the Tutor’s Teaching & Learning Network, and run online CPD for teachers on behalf of NCCE. This room also contains two exam stations for IT exams. This space also allows me to support students who need a little more quiet during in-person tuition, or where lessons need to be less formal – there’s even space to study on the floor! (… think robotics!)
The back room is occupied by Jay Shurey of TeachAllAboutIt – Film & JQS Media where he runs his Film studies tuition and distance learning courses. We’re absolutely delighted to have Jay as a permanent fixture in the centre!
Accessibility
Accessibility is a huge factor for anywhere that I work (especially as a wheelchair user), so even though the centre is in an old Victorian building, we’ve added lots of accessibility features. You can see a full accessibility statement here where details of the centre including physical access are listed in full.
TeachAllAboutIt was founded on the idea that education should be accessible for all, including students and teachers. Where a tutor or student requires additional access, we will always be willing to discuss potential improvements.
A Note on COVID Safety
In order to open safely to the public, we have introduced a number of precautions to increase protection for tutors, students, and their families.
- We are currently unable to provide students with laptops although they are welcome to bring their own pre-charged devices.
- We request that all students over age 11 and parents wear a mask within the tuition centre unless medically exempt.
- Hand sanitizer is provided and we ask that everyone uses this upon entry and exit.
- Each student will be provided with a dedicated study pack including pens, pencils, & paper which will be stored within a plastic folder which is cleaned after use to prevent cross-contamination.
- Students will be provided with refreshments as part of the study club. All refreshments are pre-wrapped to meet hygiene standards.
- We have reduced the capacity and placement of study desks to enable social distancing.
- Desks & chairs are fully disinfected with alcohol-based wipes after each use.
Getting Here & Disability Access
The TeachAllAboutIt Tuition Centre is situated within an old building, however we have added a number of features to make this more accessible to adults and children. If you have any additional access requirements, please do get in contact and we will do our very best to assist.
Getting Here
The full address of the tuition centre is 303 Tarring Road, Worthing, BN11 5JG. We encourage everyone to make use of the excellent public transport links to the centre, but understand that this is not possible or practical for all.
By Car: There is a number of on-road parking areas around the centre without restrictions however these are often used by residents and often unavailable. There is a public car park 180m containing 38 spaces including 4 blue badge bays.
By Train: West Worthing train station is 180m away from the centre with even pavements and drop curbs.
By Bus: The closest bus route stopping by the centre is the number 10 route. This stops 400m from the centre and requires you to cross West Worthing railway crossing. Alternatively, you may wish to use the Pulse which has a walk of 350m from West Avenue travelling North towards Tarring Road.
You can use the interactive map below to find the best route for you by clicking “more options” and entering your address instead of “Centenary House”:
Getting In
The centre is accessed fromt the pavement. The main doorway is 96cm wide.
There is a 110mm step up into the centre which is accessed using a 6ft temporary ramp. We are currently working with Access to Work to install a more permanent ramp. Inside the door is a 40mm step with a doormat making this a 35mm shallow step.
Temporary Ramp (up 11cm) 
Internal Step Down (3.5cm)
(A Google street view has been provided below – please note that this external view was taken before TeachAllAboutIt arrived and significant improvements have been made since)
Getting Around
To assist those who require physical access to the centre, we have provided detailed information below regarding the physical layout of the building. The centre is all at ground floor level. However, there is a level change between the front and rear of the centre which has ramped access.
(click image for a larger version)
Front Tuition Area
The floors in the front of the centre are hard painted white wood. Walls are white, with a single grey wall at the front. The front windows are covered by a frosted film to prevent the public from seeing inside, but allowing natural light into the room. Lighting in both sections in via standard bulb (no strip lighting).
All furniture is easily movable and can be rearranged to accommodate access. Tables are black metal & dark wood, chairs are black metal & brown faux leather (pvc). Individual student desks are 66cm tall at the front and are adjustable to an angle with a ridge to hold a laptop or tablet.
The back section of the front tuition area is laid out for two 1-2-1 tuition spaces. The desks are 75.9cm high and are easily movable to accommodate wheelchairs. Fidget bands are available for students who need to attach them to chairs (although at present, we prefer students to bring their own).
While tuition is taking place, the desks are laid out in two sections to allow for social distancing and the tables are combined for group sessions.
In the video below, a full walkthrough of the centre is shown including audio for those sensitive to noise. The wheelchair shown in the video is an 17″ active user chair.
Middle Room – Computer Science
From the front tuition area to the back rooms. There is a doorway (79cm wide) with a right angle left to a corridor (86cm wide) leading to a second doorway 79cm wide. This door has a step down of 100mm with a fibreglass doorway ramp with grip surface.
The middle room, used for Computer Science is carpeted in short pile mid-blue carpet with white walls and a central bulb light. This leads to the back rooms through a doorway (78cm wide).
Back Room – Film Studies
The back room, used for Film Studies is carpeted in short pile mid-blue carpet with white walls and a central bulb light. This room contains a rear secondary emergency exit (74cm wide) with a large 140mm step down to an external path. This room leads to the kitchenette & toilet through a doorway (78cm wide).
Kitchen & Toilet
The bathroom is 154cm x 140cm in size and is not wheelchair accessible. The toilet is accessed through a doorway (79cm wide) with a 20mm step down. The toilet & basin are both standard height with a temporary toilet bar surrounding the toilet.
The toilet is not wheelchair accessible, however temporary bars are availble 
The basin is at a standard height