Learning with fun
Primary school tutoring in your Barnet home, or on Zoom.
Montessori trained, one to one English, maths and writing for children up to 11. Sonali does not teach the age group. She teaches your child.
£45 an hour. Trial session and assessment from £50, so you can find out whether it works before you commit to anything.
- AMI Montessori Diploma
- Qualified primary school teacher
- Enhanced DBS certificate on file
- Rated 4.7 from 14 reviews on Childcare.co.uk
- Usually replies within 2 hours
When a child is quietly falling behind
Most parents notice it before the school does. Reading that has stalled. Homework that turns into an argument. A child who has decided, somewhere around Year 3, that they are the one who is bad at maths.
The problem is rarely ability. It is usually one gap that never got filled, and a class of thirty that has moved on without them.
Sonali has been a full time home tutor for over a decade. She finds the gap, fills it, and rebuilds the confidence that went with it. Lessons work alongside your child's school curriculum rather than against it, with an individual plan and written feedback after every session.
Where a child is already flying, she stretches them instead. Both jobs are the same job: follow the individual child.
What Sonali teaches
English and comprehension
Her specialism. Reading, comprehension, spelling, grammar and phonics, from Reception to Year 6.
Creative and story writing
Where that specialism really lives, and the part of the curriculum most often overlooked. Sessions run all year, and the holiday story writing courses fill first. More on story writing.
4 plus, 5 plus and 7 plus preparation
Getting children into the right pre-prep and prep schools. English and comprehension led, which is where these assessments are usually won or lost.
Maths
Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, worked back to whichever concept the gap actually starts at.
Handwriting
Built around what a particular child finds difficult, and around what they are actually interested in writing about.
Reading for pleasure
Getting a child from tolerating books to choosing them. Often the thing that changes everything else.
Pre school and school readiness
Early years work using Montessori materials and methods.
How lessons work
A trial session and assessment
About 90 minutes. Sonali works with your child, informally assesses where they are, and gives you written feedback afterwards. £50 on Zoom, £55 in your home.
A plan built for your child
An individual lesson plan that pinpoints the weak areas and works alongside what the school is covering that term.
Weekly lessons, at your kitchen table or on Zoom
Before school, after school, weekends and throughout the holidays. Two lessons a week speeds things up noticeably, particularly if you need both English and maths.
Comprehensive feedback every time
You get told what happened, what improved and what is next, along with achievable homework goals. No guessing what you are paying for.
What it costs
Published, because you should not have to send an enquiry to find out whether a tutor is affordable.
| Tutoring, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Per hour, in your home or on Zoom | £45 |
| Trial session on Zoom About 90 minutes, includes assessment and written feedback | £50 |
| Trial session in your home About 90 minutes, includes assessment and written feedback | £55 |
What drives the number, and how Barnet tutoring rates compare
The reviews that matter are not on a website
Sonali is happy for you to speak directly to the families of her current and former students before you decide. Ask her for a number.
This one arrived in the post in September 2026, from a boy who had just turned ten. He said it was really a song, and that he would sing it next time.
What parents say
“I can't believe my daughter has actually achieved excellent for effort in her recent tests in English and maths. You changed her attitude completely in such a short space of time.”
Parent, after a school report. March 2026
“She specialises in English, and my children's confidence and results, after being so far behind, are soaring all the time. My husband and I often wish we had had a teacher as inspiring as Sonali when we were younger.”
Parent of two. July 2026
“My son has come a long way: developing his phonic knowledge, writing and reading skills in Year 1 with your unparalleled guidance.”
Year 1 parent
“We had been going to a tuition centre regularly, but not seen any improvement. As soon as you started helping, the difference was immense. Two terms down the line and his school report says it all.”
Parent, after a school report
Questions parents ask
How much does a primary school tutor cost in Barnet?
Sonali charges £45 an hour for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, whether the lesson is in your home or on Zoom. A trial session and assessment is £50 online or £55 in your home and runs for about 90 minutes.
Do you prepare children for 4 plus, 5 plus and 7 plus entrance assessments?
Yes. Sonali prepares children for pre-prep and prep school entrance at 4 plus, 5 plus and 7 plus. The work is English and comprehension led, with creative writing at the centre of it, because that is the part of these assessments most often left until last. Preparation is charged at the standard £45 an hour.
Do you teach in person or online?
Both. Sonali teaches remotely on Zoom and in your own home, across the London Borough of Barnet. Zoom lessons generally work best for children from Year 1 upwards. Younger children usually do better in person.
What ages and year groups do you teach?
Pre school through to age 11, covering Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, Reception to Year 6.
Are you DBS checked?
Yes. An enhanced DBS certificate is held on file with Childcare.co.uk, and Sonali is happy to show you the original before you book.
When are lessons available?
Before school, mornings, afternoons, after school and evenings, Monday to Sunday, including throughout the school holidays.
Can we speak to other parents first?
Yes, and Sonali offers this rather than waiting to be asked. She will put you in touch with families of current and former students so you can make up your own mind.
Book a trial session
Tell Sonali a little about your child and she will come back to you, usually within a couple of hours.
Or reach her directly
- 07377 585011Call or text
- hello@sonali-bird-tutor.comUsually answered within 2 hours
Sonali teaches across the London Borough of Barnet, including Mill Hill, Hendon, Finchley, Golders Green, Edgware, Whetstone and Totteridge, and on Zoom anywhere.