Insights

From Bell.Study

Perspectives on education, curriculum design, and building technology that helps children learn – from the team behind Bell.Study.

Guide

The 11+ Exam: What Every Parent Needs to Know

A clear, practical guide to the 11+ exam - what it tests, when to start preparing, how much tutoring costs, and whether grammar school is right for your child.

·10 min read
Guide

How to Help Your Child with Writing at Home: A Primary School Parent's Guide

Practical strategies to build your child's writing confidence at home - from reluctant writers in KS1 to polishing paragraphs in Year 6.

·9 min read
Guide

When Should You Get a Tutor? 7 Signs Your Child Could Benefit

Not sure if your child needs a tutor? Here are seven clear signs - plus honest advice on when tutoring helps most and when it might not be the right move.

·8 min read
Analysis

What Happened When the National Tutoring Programme Ended - and What It Means for Your Child

The National Tutoring Programme ended in 2024. Since then, 58% of schools have cut tutoring. Here's what that means for families - and what options remain.

·9 min read
Guide

How to Help Your Child with Reading at Home: A Primary School Parent's Guide

Practical strategies for helping your primary school child become a confident reader - from phonics in Reception to inference skills for Year 6 SATs.

·10 min read
Guide

A Parent's Guide to Online Tutoring for Primary School Children

What to look for in an online tutor, how to tell if it's working, what it should cost, and how to set your child up for success.

·9 min read
Guide

How to Help Your Child with Maths at Home: A Primary School Parent's Guide

Practical, year-by-year strategies for supporting your child's maths learning at home - from counting in Reception to SATs preparation in Year 6.

·10 min read
Perspective

Group Tutoring vs One-to-One: Which Is Better for Your Child?

The evidence shows group tutoring delivers 75-80% of the benefit at a fraction of the cost. Here's when each format works best.

·6 min read
Curriculum

KS2 SATs 2026: What Every Parent Needs to Know

What are KS2 SATs, when are they in 2026, what subjects are tested, and how should you prepare your child? A calm, honest guide for Year 6 parents.

·7 min read
Curriculum

The Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check: What Parents Need to Know

Everything about the Year 4 times tables test – what it is, when it happens in June 2026, how it is scored, and how to help your child prepare.

·5 min read
Perspective

How Much Does Tutoring Cost in the UK? A 2026 Guide

Private tutors cost £25-50/hour. Online platforms charge £20-40. Bell.Study offers live group lessons from £5. An honest comparison.

·6 min read
Curriculum

Is My Child Falling Behind in Maths? Signs to Watch For

Worried your child is struggling with maths? Here are the signs to look for at KS1 and KS2, and practical steps you can take to help.

·6 min read
Curriculum

What Maths Should Your Child Know by End of Year 4?

A parent-friendly breakdown of the national curriculum maths expectations for Year 4, from place value and four-digit arithmetic to times tables mastery and basic fractions.

·5 min read
Curriculum

From Phonics to Reading: How the English Curriculum Builds Literacy

The progression from sounding out letters in Reception to analysing texts in Year 6 – how the national curriculum builds literacy step by step.

·4 min read
Curriculum

We Digitised the National Curriculum

The English national curriculum exists as static PDFs and web pages. We turned 1,548 curriculum objectives into a searchable, browsable tool – and we want to give it to the government for free.

·3 min read
Curriculum

KS2 Science: What Your Child Actually Learns in Years 3-6

A clear guide to the KS2 science curriculum – the six disciplines, working scientifically skills, and how Bell.Study games support science learning.

·5 min read
Perspective

The 2025 Curriculum Review: What Parents Need to Know

The government published its Curriculum and Assessment Review in 2025. Here is what it recommends – broader curriculum, less assessment pressure, digital tools – and what it means for your child.

·6 min read
Perspective

Why Short Lessons Work Better for Children

Research consistently shows that children learn more effectively in focused, shorter sessions. Here is why 45 minutes is the sweet spot – and why marathon tutoring sessions often backfire.

·4 min read
Teachers

What Makes a Great Online Teacher for Children

Teaching children online is fundamentally different from teaching adults. We look at what separates good online teachers from great ones – and how Bell.Study finds them.

·4 min read