A LITTLE CURIOSITY. A WORLD OF POSSIBILITY.
Play-based primary tuition that gives children space to explore, understand and shine.
Explore our sessions
MEET YOUR TEACHER
Jade DockerillI believe children learn best when they feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes and be themselves.
I hold a B.Ed in Primary Education and bring eight years of teaching experience across Years 2–6, including roles as Head of English and Assistant Head (Pastoral).
My pastoral experience shapes the way I teach: taking time to build trust, helping children manage frustration and making mistakes feel like a manageable part of learning. I support children who feel anxious about getting things wrong or have lost confidence, so they feel ready to have a go.
At The Learning Den, academic progress and wellbeing go hand in hand.
THE LEARNING DEN WAY
Playful learning gives children space to be curious, try out ideas and learn alongside others. Through purposeful games and hands-on challenges, we nurture independence, problem-solving and a willingness to keep trying, alongside the academic skills we’re practising.
See it. Hear it. Move it. Touch it. From saying sounds to building words with letter cubes, multisensory activities connect what children see, hear and do with the skill they’re practising.
“Children learn as they play. More importantly, in play children learn how to learn.”
WHY LEARN THROUGH PLAY?
Understanding a tricky idea. Remembering a spelling. Feeling ready to try again. These are the moments we work towards, using purposeful play, clear teaching and hands-on practice.
Building, moving and exploring give children something concrete to think with. A fraction becomes something they can split; a number becomes a quantity they can build. Through purposeful play, children can explore ideas, solve problems and build understanding. Hands-on resources help make abstract concepts tangible, giving children something they can see, move and connect with as they learn.
See the letters, say the sounds, move the pieces, write the word. Multisensory teaching connects these experiences with the same learning goal. The International Dyslexia Association describes this coordinated use of sight, hearing, movement and touch as a way to support memory and learning to read and spell.
A word-building challenge or a number game gives children a reason to use a skill again. In our sessions, that means purposeful repetition woven into an activity, with immediate feedback and just the right next challenge from Jade.
We break challenges into manageable steps and make space to experiment, ask questions and try again. With a maximum of four children and Jade’s pastoral experience, sessions are designed to help children feel supported as they build both skills and confidence.
The International Dyslexia Association highlights the importance of explicit, systematic teaching for children with dyslexia: explaining skills clearly, teaching them in a planned sequence and building on previous learning. Multisensory activities can sit within that structure, helping children connect sounds, letters and movement.
At The Learning Den, every game has a learning goal. Jade models the skill, guides practice and adapts the next step to your child. The play and the teaching work together.
Harvard’s Project Zero explores how purposeful play can support learning through curiosity, collaboration and experimentation. The Chartered College of Teaching also reviews the value of play beyond the early years, including motivation, communication and problem-solving.
Play gives children opportunities to explore ideas, solve problems and put new skills into practice. Research supports guided play for developing early mathematical understanding, and hands-on maths resources can help children remember what they’ve learned. Multisensory literacy teaching brings sight, sound, touch and movement together to help children connect letters and sounds—the foundations of reading and spelling.
OUR HOME AT PRESSWOOD CREATIVE HUB
Our cosy learning room is at Presswood Creative Hub, with easy parking and a warm welcome.
Choose to stay while your child learns and enjoy the dedicated parents’ waiting room, with tea, coffee and WiFi.
Ask about visiting usA straightforward arrival for your child’s session.
A dedicated waiting room for parents who choose to stay on site.
Tea, coffee and WiFi while your child learns.
COME AND LEARN WITH US
Thoughtful support for children in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, in a friendly space where learning is something to take part in.
Phonics · Reading · Spelling · Writing · Maths
Learn alongside children of a similar age and stage. Teaching is planned around the group’s ability and personalised to each child’s learning needs.
Groups and session times are shaped by enquiries. Let Jade know your preferred days and times.
A GENTLE START
Before sessions begin, we’ll meet for a friendly chat and a practical, play-based assessment. Games and activities help me discover your child’s strengths and next steps in phonics, reading, spelling, writing and maths — without the pressure of a formal test.
Your child starts with a two-week trial, giving them time to settle in and giving us a chance to see how the group feels. We’ll check in together before deciding whether to continue.
Continue in a group matched to your child’s age and stage, with a curriculum shaped around the group and personalised support. I’ll monitor progress each week and share feedback after each session, so you know what we’re working on.
A FEW THINGS YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING
The Learning Den offers tuition for children in KS1 and KS2. We cover phonics, reading, spelling, writing and maths. Tell me your child’s school year and what you’re looking for support with so we can discuss the right fit.
Yes. The meet-and-greet and practical assessment help me match children with others of a similar age and capability. I plan the curriculum around the group’s ability and personalise activities and support to each child.
After we’ve met and identified a suitable group, your child can try sessions over two weeks. This gives them time to settle in and lets us decide together whether to continue. Group sessions are £40 per child per hour; we’ll agree the arrangements before you begin.
I’ll use the initial assessment to identify strengths and next steps, monitor progress each week and share feedback after every session. We’ll keep in touch about both learning and confidence.
I hold a B.Ed in Primary Education, have eight years’ teaching experience across Years 2–6, and have worked as Head of English and Assistant Head (Pastoral). I am first-aid trained and my safeguarding training is up to date. I hold a DBS certificate registered with the Update Service.
Learning is woven into games, practical challenges, discussion and hands-on activities. Each activity has a learning purpose, with teaching and support to help children develop their understanding.
Group tuition costs £40 per child for a one-hour session. Each group has a maximum of four children.
Sessions take place at Presswood Creative Hub, with easy parking. Days and times will be arranged around enquiries and suitable group matches. Please include your preferred days and times when you get in touch.
Yes — if you choose to stay on site, Presswood Creative Hub has a dedicated waiting room for parents, with tea, coffee and WiFi available during your child’s session.
Email thelearningden.tuition@gmail.com or use the enquiry form below. Include your child’s year group, what you’d like help with and your preferred days and times.
LET’S FIND THEIR NEXT “I GET IT!” MOMENT
Tell me a little about your child and what you’re hoping for.
We’ll take it from there.
Presswood Creative Hub · KS1 & KS2