We can all sigh with relief that our school exams are a thing of the past, but learning can be so much more than getting certificates and degrees. We, at Clarendon Tutors, believe that learning something new, whatever your age, is about opening new possibilities. Learning keeps us curious and connected to the world.
For example, Lenny (aged 81) is learning French so that she can connect with her grandson who now lives in Paris. Mark (aged 73), a former surgeon, enjoys debating the benefits of Artificial Intelligence and medicine with our trainee medic Alice. Francesca (65) finally has the time to learn calligraphy, enjoying the freedom of letting her paintbrush dance across the page.
Okay, learning can be enjoyable, but what makes you different?
The Active Study (where 2,830 elderly adults were tested for the successful effects of cognitive interventions to improve their basic mental functioning) caught our attention. It highlighted to us that learning (via cognitive training) can slow and delay dementia, by stretching our minds. We thought that was revolutionary. However, cognitive training can be deadly boring; it usually involves sitting alone in front of a computer screen, struggling with mental maths – not anyone’s idea of fun. So, we partnered with a neuroscience specialist from UCL to co-design a programme that stimulates the 6 parts of the brain to slow/delay dementia, but in a way that is engaging and social.
We crafted 70 exercises that our young, EQ & IQ smart tutors engage your mother/father with in-person, from the comfort of their home. The idea is to stretch their minds in a fun and engaging way. Exercises such as debating topics on the news or the latest tv soap; getting out the acrylics or the watercolours; trying to memorise a poem by John Keates; learning French whilst sipping a chilled glass of Sancerre; reading Romantic literature; crafting an autobiographical short story; listening to Elgar’s masterpiece The Dream of Gerontius; or trying your hand at chess.
Why would I want one of your tutors at my parents’ house on a weekly basis?
Companionship. Our tutors have chosen to commit to this programme as it allows them to swap the pressure of tutoring a child for a GCSE exam, and instead focus on the joy of learning - let your curiosities run wild as you explore restaurant-level French, calligraphy, braille, politics, journalism etc. It also allows our tutors the chance to slow down and foster a deep personal connection without time pressure – we hope the same will be true for your parent’s, the chance to have a stimulating social interaction – intellectual companionship.
As Harry (74) says, “it’s my weekly breath of fresh air seeing Ale and trying our hand at learning something new. I don’t feel confident going out anymore, but together we have a macchiato, have a laugh, and swap stories; and I can then share what I learnt with my granddaughter when she comes over for Sunday tea.”
How can I trust your tutors?
Security and trust are very important to us. Clarendon tutors undergo rigorous selection and training. They have passed through a 3-phase interview process, including DBS and reference checks, and they undertake a Clarendon Tutors specific training programme. They range from teachers, to seasoned professionals, to undergraduates, but they all share a passion for education.
With 400 tutors, all with curious minds, kind personalities & interesting backstories, we can find the perfect tutor to match your parent’s character, such as Tom, a multi-instrumentalist who composes for BBC Radio 3; Neetu, winner of the Young Vic Squint Playwright Award; Will, an Oxford graduate in modern languages & linguistics; and Anna, a medical and neuroscience specialist at UCL.
How much does it cost & where does it take place?
First sessions are free, so that you can ‘try before you buy’, with no minimum number of sessions needed for a commitment - no strings attached. We want to make sure you like the tutor we connect your parent with.
Our lovely tutors will deliver the sessions in-person, from the comfort and security of your parent’s home. We advise weekly (or twice weekly) sessions to get the best results, but it is totally up to you!
Individual private classes are £86 per hour. Group sessions are £130 per hour, with a maximum of 6 participants to ensure everyone gets the appropriate level of attention.
What does the process look like?
- Bespoke to you: Our EQ & IQ smart young tutors meet your parent for a friendly chat, to find out their interests & passions.
- A tailored plan: We design a plan, based on your parent’s interests, stimulating the brain in a fun and creative way. A focus on music? Favourite authors?
- The sessions: 1 hour, weekly/twice weekly sessions, at your parent’s home. Our young tutors make this intellectual exploration engaging and sociable.
- The content: Neuroscience specialists from UCL have designed 70 exercises, covering literature, poetry, ethics, theatre, art, chess, music etc. to ‘STRETCH’ your brain to delay dementia.
- Progress: Our tutors can give out homework, and they can track your parent’s cognitive improvement, if you wish.
Interested? See here for more details Sparking intellectual curiosity - Clarendon Tutors
Contact natalia@clarendontutors.com or +44 (0)207 206 2569 to get started.
