Excel-lent tuition centre set to expand

Excel Tuition Centre opened 18 months ago at Blakenhall Community and Healthy Living Centre, providing tuition for youngsters at the weekend.

It has been so successful, it is now preparing to open a second branch at Newhampton Arts Centre in October.

The current centre in Bromley Street offers a number of courses, including the Key Stage 1 English and maths booster, as well as GCSE tuition.

In January, it became the official tuition provider to St Peter's Collegiate School's pupil premium programme and the company has also worked closely with the city council to provide tuition to children in their care.

Centre manager Shane Iqbal said: "We have had an unprecedented response from parents and families to our tuition service in a short space of time.

"We believe it is because we have been very disciplined and structured with our approach to ensuring quality tuition. The results of our GCSE and year six SATs courses has been extremely pleasing. The feedback we have received from parents and school teachers about the progress children are making gives us tremendous satisfaction."

He added: "We initially started off with five children and it has now grown to 140. The expansion has been massive."

At present the company has 10 classes on a Saturday and six on a Sunday with qualified teachers employed as tutors. Classes have no more than eight pupils and each has a permanent teacher for the class.

The £5 million building also boasts modern classrooms, an on-site library, computer facilities and a cafe.

"Since the start of this year we have been working with St Peter's School as official tuition providers for their pupil premium programme. We have provided one to one tuition to over 50 children, being supported by nine teachers dedicated to the pupil premium programme.

"The ethos of Excel Tuition is continuous and progressive development. Our motto from the start is to provide quality, affordable and accessible tuition.."

The new base will be opening at Newhampton Arts Centre on the first weekend of October. An open day will also be held at Blakenhall Community and Healthy Living Centre on Sunday, September 13.