Student Success Story: Alfie from MagiKats Alloa!

As we reach the end of the academic year, what better time to celebrate our successes - and Alfie Watt certainly deserves our congratulations!

Alfie joined MagiKats in February 2022 because his mum felt he needed support with his literacy and numeracy. Alfie’s nursery had flagged him as “underachieving” in October 2021 and his parents were understandably worried that Alfie was struggling. After asking for help, they were advised to look into private tuition. 

Alfie is great fun and super active. He loves running, rugby, basketball, trampolining and riding his go kart and is always on the go. This can sometimes be a challenge in a formal setting, but his mother described their impression when they first arrived at MagiKats together,

“Alfie was used to a play based, open plan nursery. Walking into MagiKats there were less distractions, desks and chairs but still an environment that was welcoming and colourful. It felt professional and a space well equipped for learning.”

Initially Alfie was a little reluctant to enter the classroom on his own, and so Mum sat near him and explains how since February Alfie has gone from strength to strength,

“Our goal was simple – relax and see what Alfie can do. His progress surprised us. He really enjoyed the numeracy activities and as his confidence grew, his reluctance to go in alone lessened so that by week seven, he walked into the classroom and told me he didn’t need me. This was a real breakthrough.

“His nursey carried out more observations in March 22, and there was a huge improvement in Alfie’s ability and skill set. They recognised that he could now focus on an activity for an extended period of time, and he could sit still and remain focused. He is now interested in learning and even spends some time at the writing table. I put all these improvements down to the one-to-one support and additional homework provided by MagiKats! In the space of three months we went from submitting a deferral application form to our local authority to confidently making the decision to turn it down knowing Alfie is ready to take his next steps to school.

“He is now achieving all his benchmarks, whereas prior to MagiKats he was only achieving one. He has enjoyed the relationship he built with staff and would comment that he wanted to make them proud of him. He also loved the stamp bookmark and having something to work towards kept him focused.”

And what about Mum, what does she think of MagiKats?

“The best part about MagiKats is the level of skill the staff have! Patient, kind, encouraging, firm but fair and always inclusive. Most tutors offer Primary or Secondary support, rarely both and almost never pre-school tuition as well. As soon as I reached out to Carol and started to learn more about the support on offer, I felt it was something we needed to give a try. Without any hesitation I would recommend the team at MagiKats Alloa. From the moment Carol met Alfie she was welcoming nurturing and accepting. His behaviour was never the focus and through this approach he began to recognise that he was achieving, and he liked how it felt to know others were proud of him! For this I cannot thank Carol enough.”

Well done Alfie for the amazing progress you have made in such a short time. Enjoy the summer and good luck when you start school. And remember, you are always welcome at MagiKats.