A good Key Stage 1 tutor builds phonics, reading fluency, early writing and number sense through short, playful, one-to-one lessons that keep young children confident. Early skills shape everything that follows, so small gaps are worth addressing gently. This guide explains what KS1 involves and how tutoring helps.

Written by Tutopiya, an online tutoring company that teaches students one-to-one from primary to A Level.

Key takeaways

• KS1 is Year 1 and Year 2.
• Phonics and reading are central.
• Short, playful lessons work best.
• Praise and patience build confidence.

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What does KS1 cover?

Key Stage 1 builds phonics, reading, writing, spelling and early maths for children in Year 1 and Year 2. See the national curriculum for key stages 1 and 2.

Area	Examples
Phonics	Sounds, blending, segmenting
Reading	Fluency, understanding
Writing	Sentences, handwriting
Maths	Number, addition, subtraction, shapes

Assessments in KS1

Assessment	When
Phonics screening check	Year 1 (retake in Year 2)
KS1 tests	Optional since 2023/24
Teacher assessment	Ongoing

Signs your child may need help

• reading feels slow or stressful;
• phonics sounds are mixed up;
• writing is very limited;
• number facts aren’t secure.

How to choose a KS1 tutor: step by step

1. Check experience with young children.
2. Ask how they teach phonics.
3. Ask how they keep lessons fun.
4. Agree a short lesson length.
5. Book a trial lesson.
6. Review after a few weeks.

Browse our tutors in London and online tutoring in the UK.

What should a good KS1 tutor offer?

What to check	Why it matters
Early-years experience	Right approach
Phonics knowledge	Core skill
Playful teaching	Engagement
Patience	Confidence

What does a good lesson look like?

1. A sound or word game.
2. Shared reading.
3. A short writing task.
4. A number activity.
5. Praise and a small home task.

Phonics at home

Children make the fastest progress with a few minutes of reading every day. A tutor can share which sounds to practise and suggest decodable books at the right level. Reading together should feel warm and relaxed, with lots of praise for effort. Parents don’t need to be experts; listening, encouraging and noticing progress are what matter most.

Early maths

Number sense, such as counting, number bonds and understanding place value, is the foundation for later maths. A tutor can use objects, pictures and games to make these ideas concrete. Everyday activities, like counting stairs or sharing snacks, reinforce learning at home.

Online lessons for young children

Short, interactive online lessons work well when an adult is nearby to help with the device. See online tutoring for young children.

How to tell tutoring is working

• reading more fluently;
• confident with sounds;
• enjoying lessons;
• stronger number skills.

How parents can help

• read together daily;
• play number games;
• praise effort.

Questions to ask a tutor

1. Have you taught KS1 children?
2. How do you teach phonics?
3. How long should lessons be?

A sample term plan

Weeks	Focus
1–3	Sounds and reading
4–8	Writing sentences
9–12	Number skills

How much tutoring is enough?

One or two short weekly lessons suit most KS1 children.

Writing in KS1

By the end of Year 2, children are expected to write simple sentences with capital letters, full stops and joining words like “and” and “because”. A tutor can make writing fun with short tasks, such as describing a picture or writing a postcard. Building handwriting and spelling alongside ideas helps children feel proud of their work. Little and often works far better than long writing sessions at this age.

When to seek support

Every child develops at a different pace, and many catch up naturally. It’s worth seeking help if your child seems frustrated, avoids reading or the teacher raises concerns. A short block of tutoring can often rebuild confidence. If you have concerns about learning differences, speak to the school’s special educational needs coordinator as well.

Keeping it positive

At this age, the most important outcome is that children enjoy learning. A tutor who celebrates small wins, uses games and keeps lessons short helps children see reading and maths as fun. That positive start pays off through primary school and beyond.

Tip: keep a “reading tree” chart and add a leaf for every book read; young children love seeing it grow.

Online safety for young learners

For young children, an adult should set up the lesson and stay nearby. See online tutoring safety for parents.

Tip: let your child choose some of the books they read; choice builds a love of reading.

How Tutopiya tutoring works

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online tutoring.

• A tutor matched to your child’s subject, level and exam board.
• A free first trial lesson, with no card needed.
• From 4 hours a month per subject. Each tutor sets their own rate, shown before booking.
• AI lesson analysis gives a written summary, flashcards and quiz questions after each lesson.

See online tutoring in the UK.

Common mistakes

• Long lessons → keep them short.
• Pressure → keep it playful.
• Skipping phonics → build sounds.
• No home reading → read daily.

Talk to us

For related guides, see a key stage 2 tutor and tutoring for reluctant readers. Contact our team to check availability.

Summary: a KS1 tutor builds phonics, reading, writing and number sense through short, playful lessons.

Frequently asked questions

What is Key Stage 1? +

Key Stage 1 covers Year 1 and Year 2 in England, for children aged about 5 to 7. It builds phonics, reading, writing and early maths.

What is the phonics screening check? +

It is a short check in Year 1 where children read real and nonsense words. Children who don't meet the standard retake it in Year 2.

Are there still KS1 SATs? +

KS1 tests became optional from the 2023 to 2024 school year. Schools still assess progress through teacher assessment.

Can young children learn online? +

Yes, with short, interactive lessons, lots of praise and an adult nearby. Sessions of 30 minutes often work well.

Does Tutopiya offer KS1 tutoring? +

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online primary tutoring. Contact us to check KS1 tutor availability; the first trial lesson is free with no card required.

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