My daughter passed the 11+, but once she started Year 7 at our local grammar school, she began to struggle significantly with Maths and her confidence dropped. We were fortunate to find Shivali, who has been an exceptional tutor.
Shivali has a wonderful ability to explain mathematical concepts clearly and patiently, breaking down difficult topics into manageable steps that my daughter could easily understand. Her teaching style helped rebuild my daughter's confidence and develop a much stronger understanding of the subject.
Thanks to her support, hard work, and encouragement, my daughter has made remarkable progress and has now moved into the top Maths set. We are absolutely delighted with her progress.
I would highly recommend Shivali to any parent looking for a supportive Maths tutor. She has made a real difference to my daughter's academic success and confidence.
Supporting a Child with SEN Through GCSE Maths
For students with special educational needs, GCSE Maths can present a particular kind of challenge, not necessarily because the maths itself is out of reach, but because the way it's typically taught and tested doesn't always account for how differently students process, retain and demonstrate understanding.
This post is for parents wondering how to get the right support in place, and what actually helps.
Why Maths Specifically Can Be Difficult
Maths draws heavily on working memory, holding several steps of a problem in mind at once - and on processing speed, particularly under timed exam conditions. For students with SEN, whether that's dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, autism, or another need, these are often exactly the areas most affected. A student can fully understand a mathematical concept and still struggle to demonstrate that understanding within the format and time pressure of a standard exam question.
There's also a well-documented overlap between SEN and maths anxiety. When a subject consistently feels harder to access than it does for classmates, it's a very natural response for confidence to erode over time - which then compounds the original difficulty. Addressing the emotional side of this is often just as important as addressing the academic side.
Exam Access Arrangements Parents May Not Know About
Schools can apply for a range of access arrangements for students with an identified need, and it's worth knowing these exist even if your child's school hasn't raised them:
- Extra time (commonly 25%) for students who process information more slowly
- A reader or reading pen, for students who struggle with the literacy demands of worded questions rather than the maths itself
- A scribe or speech-to-text software, for students whose physical writing is a barrier to showing their working
- Rest breaks, for students who need to manage fatigue or anxiety during a long paper
- A separate room, for students who find a full exam hall environment overwhelming
These arrangements have to be applied for by the school in advance, usually supported by evidence from an educational psychologist assessment or existing SEN documentation, so it's worth raising the conversation with the school's SENCO well before Year 11 if you haven't already.
(This is general information, not formal advice - every school's process differs, so always confirm current requirements directly with your child's school or SENCO.)
How Tailored Tutoring Helps
Outside of formal exam arrangements, day-to-day tutoring can be adapted in ways a full classroom often can't manage:
Working at the student's actual pace. Without 29 other students to keep in step with, there's room to slow down exactly where it's needed and move on quickly where it isn't.
Reducing cognitive load. Breaking multi-step problems into smaller, clearly signposted parts - rather than expecting a student to hold the whole process in mind at once, can make a real difference to what a student is able to demonstrate.
Building in structure and routine. Many SEN students benefit from predictable lesson structure and consistent formatting of notes and resources, rather than material that looks different every week.
Treating mistakes as information, not failure. This matters for every student, but especially so for students who may already associate maths with a sense of falling short. A calm, pressure-free environment where a wrong answer is simply useful data, not something to be anxious about tends to rebuild confidence far faster than repeated correction ever does.
I've worked with a number of SEN students over the years, and while every student's needs are different, the common thread is usually the same: with the right pace, structure and patience, the maths itself is very often within reach - it just needs to be taught in a way that actually fits how that student learns.
Getting Started
Want to talk through what might help your child specifically?
If your child has SEN and you're considering additional support in Maths, the first conversation doesn't need to be a big commitment.
- There's no pressure, just a conversation.
About the Author
Shivali Johri is a qualified Maths teacher (QTS), former accountant, and founder of Shivali Maths Hub. Combining her expertise in education and finance, she provides GCSE Maths tuition, A Level Maths tuition, GCSE Maths masterclasses, and financial literacy workshops across Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, and Kent, as well as online worldwide.