My approach to tutoring is for the student to take ownership of the process of learning. By practising problems in the areas that are less well understood to build knowledge, understanding, skills and therefore confidence, students can improve their exam performance. They can see for themselves the areas of the curriculum that have been covered, and rate for themselves their understanding of each area as we go along.
At the very least I start each course of lessons with an idea of the baseline attainment level (what is our starting point?) using any available indicators (e.g. school test performance, school reports) and seek to help the student move on to higher levels from there, and be involved in this process of “Assessment for Learning”.
I try to find ways to help students understand concepts in science or maths, or both, that suits their learning style. I dedicate lots of time to marking work and giving written (and oral, in the lesson) feedback to this work, including indicated levels and / or grades.
Email communication is via the parent’s and student’s email. I make myself available by email to answer any student / parent questions between lessons, and seek to answer them within 48 hours of receipt, and usually within 24 hours.