Location: Epping / North Weald, Essex (CM16)
Hours: 9 Hours Per Week – Potential to Increase to 12 Hours
Start Date: 7th September 2026
Subjects: English, Maths & GCSE Biology
Delivery: 1:1 Face-to-Face
Preferred Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and potentially Friday
No Thursday Sessions
About the Role
Study Mind is looking for an experienced SEN Tutor to provide structured 1:1 tuition for a Post-16 learner with an EHCP who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), significant anxiety, short-term memory difficulties and challenges with concentration.
The student has experienced a substantial period away from formal schooling and requires a tutor who can combine strong academic teaching with an understanding of autism, anxiety and barriers to education.
The initial commission is 9 hours per week, although the family is keen to increase this to 12 hours across Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, subject to Local Authority approval.
Subjects & Qualifications
The tutor will support:
- English – Functional Skills or GCSE, with the most appropriate pathway to be determined following baseline assessment.
- Maths – Functional Skills or GCSE, again dependent upon initial assessment and the student's current working level.
- GCSE Biology – resit support required following a previous U grade.
- Development of exam technique, independent study skills and confidence ahead of future progression to college.
The tutor should use the initial baseline period to make a professional judgement on whether Functional Skills or GCSE English and Maths represents the most appropriate pathway.
About the Student
The student is a bright, polite and caring young person who wants to make progress academically but has experienced significant barriers to education.
He has not attended mainstream school for several years and is currently accessing an EOTAS package combining tuition, vocational education and mentoring.
He is currently working around Functional Skills level in English and Maths but has aspirations to achieve further qualifications and progress to a local FE college in September 2027.
His longer-term ambition is to work within fitness and personal training, providing an excellent opportunity to make aspects of Maths, English and Biology relevant to his future goals.
Learning Needs
The student has ASD and difficulties with organisation, sustained attention and short-term memory. ADHD is also referenced within his referral information.
The successful tutor will need to:
- Break instructions and learning into small, manageable chunks.
- Provide repetition and opportunities to revisit previous learning.
- Use visual timetables, checklists and clear lesson structures.
- Regularly check understanding rather than assuming the student will ask for help.
- Support organisation, independent learning and effective recording of working.
- Build confidence around areas he finds difficult rather than allowing avoidance to become a barrier to progress.
Structure & Accountability
A key requirement of this placement is finding the right balance between SEN-sensitive teaching and clear academic expectations.
The student has previously been allowed to end sessions early when he disengaged, which resulted in some lessons lasting only around 20 minutes.
The family is therefore looking for a tutor who can establish a clear routine and expectations around completing the full three-hour sessions, except where there is a genuine reason such as illness.
The tutor should be encouraging but appropriately firm, helping him remain accountable for his learning without using an unnecessarily high-pressure approach.
Anxiety & Emotional Support
The student has experienced longstanding anxiety, which has significantly affected his ability to access education.
Changes, uncertainty and unfamiliar adults can increase anxiety, so early sessions should focus on establishing a safe, predictable working relationship before academic demands are increased.
He can mask difficulties and may say he is "fine" when he is struggling. He can also avoid topics he finds difficult rather than asking for help.
The successful tutor therefore needs to be observant, patient and proactive in checking understanding, while gradually developing his confidence to ask for support independently.
Sensory Considerations
The student can find busy, noisy or distracting environments difficult and needs a calm learning space where he can concentrate.
He also experiences tactile sensitivities and benefits from appropriate sensory regulation strategies when becoming overwhelmed.
The tutor should be comfortable adjusting the environment and lesson demands while maintaining a predictable structure.
Student Interests
Building learning around his interests will be particularly valuable. These include:
- Fitness and going to the gym.
- UFC and wrestling.
- Running and swimming.
- Gaming and YouTube.
- Personal training and health.
Where appropriate, these interests should be incorporated into academic learning, particularly Biology, Maths and Functional English, to make learning purposeful and relevant.
Ideal Tutor Experience
We are looking for a tutor who has:
- Strong experience teaching GCSE and/or Functional Skills English and Maths.
- Confidence supporting GCSE Biology, including preparation for a resit.
- Experience supporting learners with Autism and significant anxiety.
- Experience with EOTAS, Alternative Provision, SEN or learners returning after prolonged school absence.
- Confidence conducting baseline assessments and recommending an appropriate GCSE vs Functional Skills pathway.
- Strong behaviour-for-learning and engagement skills, with the ability to maintain clear expectations without escalating anxiety.
- An understanding of short-term memory and concentration difficulties and how to adapt teaching accordingly.
Tuition Location
Tuition will initially take place at Epping Library, Epping (CM16).
The student's home in North Weald (CM16) can also be used where the library is particularly busy or distracting due to clubs or other activities.
Risk assessments will be completed for both locations to provide flexibility while ensuring the student has a calm and appropriate learning environment.
Hours & Availability
Current requirement: 9 hours per week, consisting of 3 × 3-hour sessions.
There is potential for this to increase to 12 hours per week across four days, subject to Local Authority agreement.
Days: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with Friday potentially being added.
Thursday: Unavailable.
Timing: Morning sessions strongly preferred, with tuition starting as early as reasonably possible.
Start Date
7th September 2026
This placement would particularly suit an experienced SEN Tutor who can provide the student with a fresh start, clear structure and consistent expectations, while understanding that anxiety, autism and disrupted education can significantly affect how a young person engages with learning.
Company Overview
At Study Mind, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their circumstances. We specialise in providing high-quality, 1:1 tuition for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who require personalised academic support outside mainstream education. Through our tailored approach, we help students build confidence, engage with learning, and achieve academic success.
Pay: £30.00-£35.00 per hour
Expected hours: 9.0 per week
Work Location: In person
