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Expert tutors. Structured programmes. Measurable progress.

Specialist one-to-one and small group tuition for children in Years 2 to 6 in London and the Home Counties, built around where your child is now and where they need to go next.

Whether your child is preparing for a selective school entrance examination, or working towards the curriculum targets set by their school, Nova provides structured learning programmes, original teaching resources and clear, regular reporting on progress.

Book a free consultationExplore our programmes

Choose the programme that is right for your child.

A boy in school uniform sitting at a wooden table, working with coloured counting rods.
  • Examiner-written materials
  • DBS-checked qualified teachers
  • Reporting after every session
  • First three sessions in person

Let's find the right place to start

Answer two questions and this page shows only what applies to your child.

Two programmes. One Nova approach.

Every child comes to Nova with a different goal. The teaching standard, the materials and the reporting are the same. What changes is what your child is working towards.

What is different about Nova tuition

  • Assessment before teaching

    We spend a good deal of time on assessment before any teaching begins, so your child is taught according to what they actually need.

  • Sessions tailored exactly

    A detailed assessment lets us tailor each session to your child. Our large range of learning materials covers any KS2 level, in English or Mathematics.

  • Examination skills and technique

    We teach examination skills and techniques, as well as the content being tested.

  • Materials made for the job

    Designing learning and assessment materials is a specialist task. Nova tutors teach from materials made for the purpose, not from worksheets written to fill a lesson.

A relationship that doesn't end with the examination

Families can come to Nova for a specific entrance examination and stay with us afterwards.

A child who sits the 8 Plus in Year 3 can continue with Nova through Years 4, 5 and 6. A child who is not being entered for a selective school can follow a Curriculum Programme alongside a sibling who is. And a child who has finished their entrance preparation can move into a Curriculum Programme without starting again with a new tutor, a new approach or a new set of materials.

We already know your child. That is worth a great deal.

Not sure which programme is right for your child?

You don't have to decide on your own. Our consultation and assessment process establishes where your child is now and identifies the most appropriate next step.

Book a free consultationKnow where your child stands

Know where your child stands

Before deciding what your child needs, it helps to understand where they are now.

Nova offers two structured assessments, each designed for a different purpose. Both go well beyond producing a score. We analyse your child's work to identify strengths, development areas and the most useful next steps.

A clear starting point

An assessment is not compulsory. It is there for families who want a detailed understanding of their child's position before beginning tuition.

Because the assessment is a complete piece of work in its own right, you are under no obligation to book tuition afterwards. If tuition is appropriate, we will tell you. If we believe something else would be more useful, we will tell you that too.

Entrance Readiness Assessment

How prepared is your child for selective school entrance?

The Entrance Readiness Assessment is designed for children preparing for selective school entrance.

It provides a detailed picture of your child's current performance across the areas that matter in entrance examinations, together with an assessment of how they work under timed conditions.

The 7 Plus assessment covers:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling
  • Mathematics: Arithmetic
  • Mathematics: Reasoning and Problem Solving
  • Writing

The assessment considers not only what your child knows, but how they approach the paper: their pace, accuracy, independence and response to difficulty.

You receive a personalised written report, a one-page visual profile, three clear priority actions and a consultation with the assessor.

Talk to us about the Entrance Readiness Assessment

Nova Learning Assessment

Where is your child now, and what do they need next?

The Nova Learning Assessment is designed for children in Years 2 to 6 and establishes the starting point for a Curriculum Programme.

It gives a clear picture of current learning across four areas:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Mathematics
  • Reasoning
  • Writing

The assessment identifies what is secure, where further development is needed, and which skills should be addressed first, which is what allows us to design a programme around your child rather than around a year group.

You receive a personalised written report, a one-page visual profile, three clear priority actions and a consultation with the assessor.

Talk to us about the Nova Learning Assessment

Book a free consultation

Nova Entrance Preparation

For 7+, 8+, 11+ and ISEB entry

Selective school entrance examinations require more than knowledge alone.

Children need to understand the content being tested, apply it accurately under pressure, manage their time, recognise different question types, and remain composed when they meet something difficult.

Nova Entrance Preparation brings these elements together in a structured programme. We do not simply give children more papers to complete. We establish what they need to develop, teach those areas systematically, and use assessment to measure progress.

Our approach

  1. 1Assess

    Establish your child's starting point and identify the areas needing attention.

  2. 2Teach

    Build knowledge, understanding and technique through structured lessons.

  3. 3Practise

    Apply learning through carefully selected Nova exercises and practice papers.

  4. 4Mark and reteach

    Establish where marks were lost, understand why, and address the underlying weakness immediately.

  5. 5Measure

    Track progress through regular assessment.

  6. 6Report

    Give parents clear information about what has improved and what comes next.

Entrance Preparation includes

  • Specialist tuition from a qualified teacher
  • All Nova learning materials: nothing further to buy
  • Structured programmes rather than open-ended lessons
  • Examination-specific practice and technique
  • Regular assessment and detailed progress reporting
  • Clear next steps for parents
A tutor sitting beside a boy in school uniform at a kitchen table, pointing to the page he is working on.

Programmes

  • 7+

    Now enrolling

    Year 3 entry at selective independent schools

    20 sessions: 10 themed units, each delivered as Session A and Session B.

    Book a consultation

  • 8+

    Now enrolling

    Year 4 entry at selective independent schools

    20 sessions: 10 themed units, each delivered as Session A and Session B.

    Book a consultation

  • 11+

    Now enrolling

    Year 7 entry at grammar and independent schools

    20 sessions: 8 practice tests, each delivered as Lesson A and Lesson B, plus four examination technique lessons.

    Book a consultation

  • ISEB

    Now enrolling

    Entry to leading boarding and day schools at 13+

    20 sessions: 8 practice tests, each delivered as Lesson A and Lesson B, plus four examination technique lessons.

    Book a consultation

Select your strand

Each programme is offered in two strands, English and Verbal Reasoning, and Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning, taught in 60-minute sessions using Nova materials, with the full reporting suite included. Choose from one-to-one, one-to-two or one-to-three tuition.

How sessions are delivered

The first three sessions of every Nova programme take place in person, in your home. Meeting face to face lets your child and your family get to know the tutor, and lets the tutor get to know them. All subsequent sessions are delivered online.

Where a child is taught in a group of two or three, one home is nominated as the teaching venue at the start of the programme, and the other children attend their three in-person sessions there.

After the examination

Entrance preparation has an end date. Your child's learning does not.

Families who complete an Entrance Preparation programme can continue with Nova through a Curriculum Programme, with the same tutor wherever possible, working from the same assessment history, towards their next set of objectives.

Explore Curriculum Programmes

Nova Curriculum Programmes

For Years 2 to 6, in English and Mathematics

A programme built around your child

The right level of challenge. The right skills. The right starting point.

Not every child needs examination preparation.

Sometimes what matters most is securing a particular area of learning, closing a gap that has begun to hold a child back, or providing greater challenge for a child who is ready to move ahead.

Our Curriculum Programmes are designed around the individual needs of each child. Rather than providing a fixed programme of general tuition, we establish the specific skills your child needs to develop and build a structured learning programme designed to help them meet their curriculum targets. The programme may focus on English, Mathematics, or both.

A teacher and a girl in school uniform sitting side by side at a table, working through a page together.

Three levels of support

Foundation

Building secure foundations

For children who need to strengthen essential knowledge and skills, address gaps in their learning, or develop greater confidence with key curriculum concepts. The programme focuses on the specific areas preventing your child from progressing securely towards their year-group expectations.

Core

Securing age-appropriate skills

For children who are broadly working towards their expected curriculum targets but would benefit from structured support to consolidate, practise and apply their knowledge. The programme focuses on securing key skills, improving accuracy and developing greater independence.

Extension

Developing deeper understanding

For children who are already secure in their core curriculum knowledge and are ready to be challenged further. The programme can introduce more demanding problems, deeper reasoning, richer vocabulary, more complex texts, and opportunities to apply knowledge in unfamiliar situations.

Your child's programme is bespoke

Foundation, Core and Extension are not fixed courses. They provide a framework for establishing the level and type of support your child needs. The exact content depends on:

  • Your child's current level of knowledge and skill
  • The areas you would like them to develop
  • Their school and curriculum targets
  • Findings from the Nova Learning Assessment, where appropriate
  • Their strengths, gaps and areas for further challenge
  • Their response to teaching as the programme progresses

Two children working at the same year-group level may follow quite different programmes. The aim is simple: start where your child is, establish where they need to go, and build a structured programme to get them there.

How a Curriculum Programme is structured

A Curriculum Programme runs to 20 sessions. The content of those sessions is designed around your child rather than determined by a fixed book structure, but the programme itself has a defined length and defined points at which progress is reviewed. At the end of the 20 sessions you receive an End-of-Programme Report and your child receives a Nova certificate. Families who wish to continue simply roll into the next block, with the programme redesigned around where your child has got to.

What a Curriculum Programme provides

  • One-to-one or small group teaching with a qualified teacher
  • Content aligned with the National Curriculum for England
  • All Nova learning materials included
  • A structured sequence of 20 lessons
  • Regular assessment and detailed progress reporting
  • An End-of-Programme Report and Nova certificate
  • Clear recommendations for what to work on next

As with Entrance Preparation, the first three sessions take place in person in your home, with all subsequent sessions delivered online. Group tuition follows the same model, with one home nominated as the teaching venue at the start of the programme.

Book a free consultationFind out where your child stands

A managed service

The same standard, whoever teaches your child.

We do not simply introduce you to a tutor and leave you to manage the relationship. Our programmes, resources, assessment and reporting are managed within the Nova framework, with all tutors working to a consistent approach. The quality of your child's experience does not depend on which individual tutor happens to be available.

Expert tutors. Structured programmes. Measurable progress.

Know where your child stands

Progress you can see

You should never have to wonder whether your child's tuition is making a difference.

At Nova, progress is not something we leave until the end of a programme. We monitor your child's development throughout and provide regular, structured feedback so that you know what they have been learning, what is improving and what needs further attention.

Reporting designed around your child

We do not believe in generic reports filled with phrases that could apply to any child. Our feedback is based on the work your child has actually completed and the development we have observed.

We explain progress in clear, plain language, so that you understand what has happened, why it has happened, and what happens next.

  1. Session Note

    After every session

    What was covered, how your child responded to the work, a key strength, one clear development point, and a suggested activity to maintain progress before the next session. Issued the same day.

  2. Progress Report

    At each review point

    A detailed review of the skills covered, identifying what is secure and what requires further development. The purpose is not to tell you what your child scored, but to explain what the result means and what the tutor will do next.

  3. Mid-Programme Review

    Halfway through

    Your child's progress so far, brought together in one place, with the priorities identified for the second half of the programme. A clear picture of progress rather than a series of disconnected lesson notes.

  4. End-of-Programme Report and certificate

    At the end

    What your child has learned, where they have made progress, which skills are now secure, what would benefit from continued development, and recommended next steps. Every child completing a Nova programme receives a Nova certificate.

Assessment Reports

Our two formal assessments provide a deeper level of analysis.

In both cases, parents receive a personalised written report, a one-page visual profile, three priority actions and a consultation with the assessor.

From assessment to action

Assess. Teach. Practise. Mark and reteach. Measure. Report.

Reports are only useful if they lead to something. At Nova, assessment findings feed directly into teaching. If a skill is not yet secure, it becomes a teaching priority. If a child has mastered something, we move on. If the difficulty is not a knowledge gap but a problem with technique, pace, accuracy or application, the teaching approach changes accordingly.

Qualified teachers. One Nova approach.

The quality of a child's tuition depends on the quality of the teaching. Your child is not matched with whichever tutor happens to be available. They join a structured programme, taught within the Nova framework.

A tutor and a smiling boy working together at a desk with a globe beside them.

Carefully selected tutors

Our tutors are selected for their subject knowledge, teaching ability and understanding of primary-age learners. All hold qualified teacher status. For Entrance Preparation, we look for strong knowledge of selective school entrance requirements and the skills needed to prepare children for demanding examinations. For Curriculum Programmes, we draw on teachers with strong primary expertise and a clear understanding of how children develop their English and Mathematics.

Trained to teach the Nova way

Every Nova programme follows a defined structure, supported by original Nova resources and clear teaching frameworks. Our tutors are trained to use these resources effectively, understand the objectives of each programme and monitor how each child is progressing. Your child's experience does not depend on an individual tutor deciding what to teach each week.

One child. One programme. One learning journey.

Your child's tutor comes to know their strengths, their gaps, their learning habits and their areas for development. Assessment, teaching, practice and feedback are connected throughout, so that your child's learning develops progressively rather than becoming a series of unrelated lessons.

Supported by the Nova team

Tutors work within the wider Nova team rather than in isolation. Programme structures, assessment processes, reporting and teaching resources provide a consistent framework, while senior members of the team provide support and oversight.

Tutors teach the lessons. Nova takes responsibility for the whole learning journey.

Your child's tutor is an important part of that journey, but they are supported by Nova's programmes, resources, systems and standards.

Meet the Nova teamFind the right programme for your child

Safeguarding and child protection

The safety and wellbeing of children is fundamental to the way Nova operates. Every tutor holds a current Enhanced DBS check, verified before their first session, and signs up to our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy before teaching for Nova. Because the opening sessions of every programme take place in your home, our Code of Conduct sets out specific standards governing in-person delivery, which every tutor agrees to before their first visit.

Safeguarding policyTutor code of conduct

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    [Subjects and programmes]

  • [Tutor name]

    [Subjects and programmes]

  • [Tutor name]

    [Subjects and programmes]

Placeholder portraits until tutor photos and profiles are supplied and approved.

Free guides for parents

Clear, jargon-free guides written by the Nova team. Each is designed to help you understand your child's learning and make good decisions about what comes next. They are free to download, and each can be read on its own.

  • Independent School Entry

    Guide 1, for 7+ and 8+ entry

    For parents whose child is at a state primary school and who are considering independent school entry at 7+ or 8+. Assumes no prior knowledge: how the system works, which schools to consider, what the assessment involves and when to start.

    Download the guide (PDF)

  • 7+ and 8+ Preparation

    Guide 2, for 7+ and 8+ entry

    For parents who already know the process and their target schools. What separates a good candidate from a competitive one, where marks are really lost, and how to measure progress.

    Download the guide (PDF)

  • 7+ and 8+ Readiness

    Guide 3, for 7+ and 8+ entry

    For parents who are unsure. Your child may be bright but inconsistent, stronger in one subject than another, or capable at home but anxious in tests. This guide will not tell you whether your child is ready. It will help you find out.

    Download the guide (PDF)

  • Primary Learning

    Guide 4, for Years 2 to 6

    For parents of children in Years 2 to 6 who want to understand their child's learning in English and Mathematics: what is secure, what is developing, where there may be gaps and what comes next. It makes no assumption about whether your child is struggling, coasting or thriving.

    Download the guide (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

How many sessions are in a programme?

Every Nova programme runs to 20 sessions.

For 7 Plus and 8 Plus, that is 10 themed units, each delivered as Session A and Session B. For 11 Plus and ISEB, it is 8 full practice tests, each delivered as Lesson A and Lesson B, together with four dedicated examination technique lessons.

For a Curriculum Programme, the programme also runs to 20 sessions, but the content of those sessions is determined by the programme designed for your child rather than by a fixed book structure. Families who wish to continue at the end of a programme simply roll into the next block.

What is included in a programme?

For Entrance Preparation: 20 tutorial sessions, all Nova course books and practice papers, mid-programme and end-of-programme practice tests, and the full reporting suite: Session Note after every session, Progress Report at each review point, Mid-Programme Review, End-of-Programme Report and a Nova certificate.

For a Curriculum Programme: 20 tutorial sessions, all learning materials, and the full reporting suite, ending with an End-of-Programme Report and a Nova certificate. There is nothing further to buy.

What is the difference between Entrance Preparation and a Curriculum Programme?

Entrance Preparation is specialist preparation for a specific selective school entrance examination, working towards a fixed date and a defined set of examination demands. A Curriculum Programme is built around your child's own curriculum targets, with the level, subject and content determined by their individual needs. Entrance examination preparation is delivered only within an Entrance Preparation programme.

Does my child need an assessment before starting?

No. An assessment is optional. Many families begin with a free consultation, which is often enough to establish the right starting point. The Nova Learning Assessment and Entrance Readiness Assessment are there for families who want a detailed picture before committing to a programme, and they are complete pieces of work in their own right: you are under no obligation to book tuition afterwards.

Which level will my child be placed in?

Foundation, Core and Extension are not fixed courses, so your child is not placed in a level and left there. We establish the appropriate level of support through consultation and, where appropriate, the Nova Learning Assessment, and we adjust as the programme progresses and your child responds to teaching.

Do you teach children in state schools?

Yes. Our Curriculum Programmes are aligned with the National Curriculum for England and are designed for any child in Years 2 to 6, in any school. Our Entrance Preparation programmes support applications to both independent and grammar schools.

Where do the in-person sessions take place?

In-person sessions are available in Camden, Islington, the City of Westminster, Brent, Barnet, Haringey and the City of London. Home sessions reach across London and the Home Counties, so if you live outside those seven areas, tell us where and we will confirm.

The first three sessions of every programme are taught in your home. Where your child is taught in a group of two or three, one home is nominated as the teaching venue at the start of the programme and all three children attend their in-person sessions there. All subsequent sessions are delivered online.

Why are the first three sessions in person?

Children aged 6 and 7 build trust through physical presence. Meeting a tutor face-to-face, in the same room, without the mediation of a screen, creates a quality of relationship that makes everything that follows more productive. Face-to-face contact with your child and with you builds a rapport that is not possible when every session is online, and gives the tutor a better understanding of your child's attitude, mannerisms and personality. The transition from in-person to online at Session 4 feels like a continuation, not a change.

How much does tuition cost?

We do not publish prices on this page, because the right programme depends on your child. The consultation is free. Programme options, fees and payment are discussed there, and confirmed in writing if you decide to enrol.

Are all tutors qualified teachers?

Yes. All Nova tutors hold qualified teacher status. Several hold postgraduate qualifications in education. All have been selected through a rigorous process, trained on the Nova programme, and hold a current Enhanced DBS check. Nova does not recruit through agencies or tutoring marketplaces.

What happens if my child's tutor is ill or leaves?

We replace the tutor with another of the same level of experience or higher. Every Nova programme follows a defined structure, so your child's programme does not depend on one individual tutor.

What is the Nova Tutor Academy?

The Nova Tutor Academy is our internal training and accreditation programme. Every tutor completes 12 training modules before delivering their first session, covering teaching technique across all four subjects, the Nova session structure, reporting standards, safeguarding, and parent communication. Tutors progress through four accreditation levels (Associate, Accredited, Senior, and Master) based on their session record and quality assurance reviews. It is the system that makes Nova's quality consistent and scalable.

Can I change or cancel sessions?

Sessions can be rescheduled with a minimum of 24 hours' notice. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice may be charged at the full session rate. Your tutor will always try to offer an alternative slot within the same week where possible. Full cancellation and withdrawal terms are confirmed at enrolment.

Start your Nova journey

Every child is different, so the first step is to understand what you are looking for and which Nova programme is right for your child.

What would you like help with?

  • Entrance Readiness Assessment

    For children preparing for selective school entrance, including 7 Plus, 8 Plus, 11 Plus and ISEB. Establish how prepared your child really is through a structured assessment of their current skills, examination technique and readiness.

  • Nova Learning Assessment

    For children in Years 2 to 6. Understand your child's current strengths, areas for development and the skills they should focus on next in English and Mathematics.

  • I'm not sure. I'd like advice

    I'm not sure what my child needs right now. I'd like to talk to someone about their current level, their goals and the best next step.

What happens next

  1. Choose a time

    Select an available 30-minute consultation slot from the calendar.

  2. Talk to a member of the Nova team

    We'll discuss your child, your objectives and any relevant background so that we understand what you are looking for.

  3. Agree the next step

    We'll explain the appropriate Nova assessment or programme and answer any questions.

  4. Receive your plan

    Within 24 hours we send a written recommendation and enrolment details if you decide to proceed.

No pressure. No obligation. Our aim is to recommend the right next step for your child. If we do not believe Nova tuition is necessary, we will tell you.

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Prefer to write? Email contact@novaeducation.uk.