Supporting children who are struggling to attend school and helping families find hope, confidence and a way back into education. When your child is struggling to attend school, it can feel as though your whole world has been turned upside down. Mornings become increasingly difficult, conversations about school can end in tears and the worry about your child’s education never really goes away. You may find yourself constantly trying to work out what to do next, who to speak t

Being a parent is a busy job! Between school runs, homework, cooking and trying to remember where everyone left their shoes, finding time to support your child’s emotional wellbeing can feel like another thing on the never-ending to-do list. The good news is that little things can make a big difference! You don’t need to have all the answers or get everything right. Here are a few simple ways to support your child at home. Talk about feelings Encourage your child to talk abou

Every parent wants their child to feel safe, happy and understood. Yet there may be moments when your child’s reactions are difficult to make sense of. An ordinary question goes unanswered, getting ready becomes overwhelming or an activity they enjoyed yesterday feels impossible today. Understanding begins with looking beyond what we can see. Rather than asking only how to change a behaviour, we can ask what our child is experiencing and what might make the situation easier.

Are you a parent unsure of how to deal with Anxiety in your child? Feel free to read the article or click on this QR code or link to watch the video: https://youtu.be/75pA91GMciA Hi, I’m Marcia Wright. I’m a psychotherapist, performance coach and part of the Forest First Tutoring team. I’ve spent more than 30 years working with children, teenagers and families, and I want to share something that I think can completely change the way we respond to anxiety in our children. When

One of the most rewarding aspects of working in alternative provision is the opportunity to support learners with a wide range of individual needs. Recently, I have been working closely with a learner with heightened sensory needs, and through guidance and training from their Occupational Therapist, I have developed a much deeper understanding of sensory integration and how we can support learners in this area. Sensory integration is something we all do naturally. Our brains

By Marcia Wright, MBACP In more than 20 years of working with children and young people, one thing has become very clear to me; behaviour nearly always tells us something. The child who won't start may not be lazy. The pupil staring out of the window may not be uninterested. The young person who reacts strongly to a small correction may be dealing with far more than we can see. Trauma-informed teaching starts with one simple shift: Instead of asking, “What's wrong with this b

With around six weeks to go until the 11+ examinations, it is completely understandable for parents to start wondering whether their child has done enough. Perhaps practice-paper scores are still inconsistent. Maybe there are areas of Maths that your child continues to find difficult. Vocabulary might be a concern. Or perhaps timing seems to fall apart as soon as a paper is completed under test conditions. The reassuring message is that six weeks is still a significant amount

Education is a team sport. Children thrive best when home and school move in the same direction. A strong, collaborative partnership is the ultimate foundation for your child’s academic and emotional well-being throughout their education. If you notice your child is struggling, the first port of call should always be their class or form teacher. They see your child daily and can offer immediate insights. Often a quick, constructive chat will be all that's needed to align stra

When a child refuses to work, walks away, becomes upset or shuts down completely, it can feel incredibly frustrating and worrying as a parent. It is easy to think, “Why won’t they just do it?” or “Why has this become such a battle?” For many children, especially those with anxiety, autism, ADHD, SEMH needs or a history of finding school difficult, behaviour is often communication. It may be their way of saying, “This feels too hard,” “I don’t understand,” “I’m overwhelmed,” o

Looking for free family adventures this summer holiday? Fortunately, families living around the edges of the New Forest are surrounded by some of Hampshire's best outdoor spaces. From wildlife-rich lakes and ancient woodland to coastal nature reserves and heathland full of New Forest ponies, there are plenty of opportunities for children to explore nature without spending a penny. Whether you're searching for butterflies, watching birds, building dens or simply enjoying a pic

Anxiety is something that many children experience at some point during their childhood. Whether it is worries about school, friendships, trying something new or coping with changes in their lives, feelings of anxiety can sometimes seem overwhelming. As parents and carers, it can be difficult to know exactly how to help. The good news is that small, consistent actions can make a significant difference. One of the most important things we can do is create opportunities for chi

A reflection on a year of teamwork, growth and shared purpose at Forest 1st Tutoring, celebrating the children, families, schools and colleagues who have helped us make a difference.

A personalised curriculum helps young people experience success in ways that feel meaningful to them. Through practical activities such as cooking and sewing, children can build confidence, independence, communication skills and self-belief while continuing to develop important academic skills. When learning is shaped around individual needs and interests, Alternative Provision can re-engage young people and help them recognise their own potential.

A gentle guide for parents wondering if their child may be autistic and wanting practical ways to understand and help.

With about three months remaining until the 11+ tests for the Salisbury Grammar Schools, some families may be wondering whether has their child done enough? Others may feel overwhelmed by the amount of work still to be done and many children themselves are becoming increasingly aware that the tests are approaching. The good news is that three months is still a significant amount of time. While no child is likely to transform overnight, it is absolutely possible to make meanin

If your child is struggling at home, they may not be trying to be difficult. They may be overwhelmed, anxious, overloaded, frightened of getting it wrong or unable to explain what is happening inside them. What looks like refusal, rudeness or laziness may actually be panic, shame or self-protection. Connection Before Correction When your child is distressed, shut down or angry, they are unlikely to respond well to being corrected, questioned or pushed. Start by helping them f

We are really excited to share some very special news. Forest 1st Tutoring has been shortlisted for a national education award, and we are incredibly proud. We have been named as one of 10 shortlisted companies in the 'Alternative Provision Provider 2026' category at the National Tutoring Awards, organised by The Tutors’ Association. This is a wonderful achievement for our whole team and a very proud moment for our growing company. Being shortlisted in this category means a g

We look at how children can keep their confidence and progress over the summer holidays without losing the chance to rest, play and recharge. It explores the idea of “summer learning loss” and explains how a small amount of calm, focused learning can help children return to school feeling more secure, prepared and ready for September.

Children with ADHD are not lacking intelligence. What they struggle with is executive function - the mental skills that help them plan, organise, remember instructions, and complete tasks. This is linked to how the brain regulates attention and motivation. ADHD is not a single profile. Some children struggle primarily with working memory, others with impulse control or emotional regulation. This affects how they use tools like AI. In everyday learning, this shows up as: · St

At Forest 1st Tutoring, we have many educational partners, one of which is New Forest Outreach Support in Blackfield, near Holbury. They have wonderful facilities to support children with special educational needs and are a non-profit organisation. NFOS has an Easter event this Saturday, and it would be great if we could show them some support. Here is a message from Amy, who runs the centre: Join us on the 4th of April 2026 in Blackfield for a magical Easter experience the w