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Our Testimonials
*Here at RTQ, we value the privacy of our students, and choose to keep all of our testimonials anonymous.
“Thank you so much for everything you have done for ‘A’ and me. Your support, guidance and encouragement got us through the tougher times. We’ll always be eternally grateful.” - Student
“You clearly offer much more than a tutoring centre. You have created a wonderful, nurturing environment where children feel able to thrive. The definition of learning.” - Parent
“We are delighted to support ATQ. We think that it’s a fantastic cause that can change the whole direction of a child's life, and would like ATQ to reach as many young people as possible. “ - Donor
We would like to make our feelings known regarding ATQ, and mainly Jo who has helped our child to complete his education and examinations. F has been receiving tutoring from ATQ and during that time has built up a positive bond with Jo, who has been more than a tutor to him.
When he first started with Jo he was a difficult young person who totally struggled with education and authoritative figures and throughout her gentle approach he has blossomed into a calmer young man. F has a team around him who were dubious about him even sitting his exams let alone completing them! Without the support of ATQ this would not have happened.
Jo has gone above and beyond in every lesson F has had - nothing is too much trouble for her, she even came to our house once to speak to F when he was having a wobble. She has become a mentor to him and helped him open up and confide in her.
Jo does not provide only education, but gives positive guidance and support. She helps with behaviour management and social skills by explaining things in a way young people relate to.
We have the utmost respect for Jo and her team and would recommend them to anyone in need of tutoring and guidance. We would not hesitate to use ATQ again
- Parent/Guardian
E has a diagnosis of ASD and Dyslexia. He started to complain that he could not attend school because of sensory and social difficulties that we felt were rooted in his ASD and the school felt that it was poor parenting. We had formal meetings with Education Welfare who threatened his single parent mother with court action over his refusal to attend school. We did everything we could to support E attending school, including getting pharmaceutical support from his GP to help him sleep and lessen anxiety. E gradually became isolated at home, rarely going out. He lost all his friends and slipped into the world of electronic games on computers. He had befriended players from all over the world, but had no friends who he could go to the gym with.
E became withdrawn and fearful about his future as he realised that he had fallen so far behind in his studies that he would not be able to sit his GCSE’s even though he is of ordinary intelligence. He lost all confidence in himself and began to talk about himself in a derogatory way. He was offered an opportunity to sit his Maths and English GCSE at school, but after discussing it with him; we felt that the failure that he would feel not passing these exams would outweigh any possible benefit. And at that point he was offered ATQ.
Jo took him on without treating him as a diagnosis and getting to know him as an individual. We cannot describe the difference this made to his self-esteem and confidence. He came home enthused again by learning and believing that he had the ability to catch up. This was a huge boost to his ego and he looked forward to the sessions and attended regularly. He liked Jo as a person and was able to relate easily and comfortably to the other teachers. He respected the teachers for their knowledge and their ability to answer his sometimes eccentric questions without value judgements. He went to school, in his uniform, which he detested, and sat all his exams with the other pupils in an ordinary way. We had not even dreamed that this would be a possibility. Even if he ‘fails’ these exams, to us he has already passed, because he has demonstrated that he has the ability and self-belief to approach and deal with stressful situations. This determination is the result of the self-belief that the ATQ team has instilled in him. This new found self-belief has led to E coming out of his room more, asking to go to the cinema and enrolling in a gym. We are all delighted by this transformation and attribute this entirely to Jo and her team.
-Parent / Guardian
J has a diagnosis of ASD. The diagnosis was a relief for the family following difficulties with her behaviour both at home and at school. J appeared to be very jealous of her younger sister and would react violently if she felt that her sister was getting more attention. She spent a lot of time at the grandparent’s home as she had their undivided attention, but this changed when an adult female cousin came to live with her grandparents and she felt pushed out. At about the same time she began to have problems with socialising with other girls at school and though careful adjustments were made for J she stopped attending school completely. J is of ordinary intelligence and likes doing things with her family and enjoys learning, especially in subjects where she has liked the teacher. J’s entrenched dislike and fear of going into school created alarm within the family as we did not want her to have a similar school experience to E.
Jo got to learn about J through discussions about E and offered her a session at ATQ, just to see how J would cope with it. J loved it and has taken up nearly every invitation to attend. Her self-belief and confidence have increased exponentially and we are all delighted with her progress. Jo has facilitated meetings with the school to discuss J’s attendance at school next year. One of J’s fears is that she has now fallen behind in her studies, but has been reassured by the input of the teacher’s at ATQ. Jo’s knowledge about ASD and the nuances of this condition have helped explore other masked problems at school, like sensory problems with the school uniform.
J is feeling more optimistic about her future at school and as a family we are delighting in her new found confidence and aspiration.
-Parent / Guardian
I contacted Jo at ATQ in April 2022 as I was at an absolute loss as to where to turn. I found out that my 14yr old great niece hadn't been attending school properly since Christmas 2021. She was suffering from depression brought on by developmental trauma. Her Mum is a substance user, and she hasn't lived with her for over 5 years. She lives with her Dad who provides for her but unfortunately cannot give her the emotional support she has needed. My great niece has coped with all the upset for the past 5yrs but at Christmas it all came to a head and now life is extremely overwhelming for her.
I phoned Jo at ATQ and left a message. She returned my call at 9pm that evening, obviously way after her working day. She asked me lots of questions about my great niece and said she would like to meet her the following day. My great niece is terribly shy and lacks confidence due to her situation. She went to see Jo the next day and took an instant liking to her. I call Jo an earth angel she has exceeded any of my original expectations. My great niece goes to do schoolwork at ATQ 3 times a week, following the school curriculum. It has given her back her confidence, she loves going there. She is also attending school on a reduced timetable now and things are beginning to look a little brighter. This is all thanks to Jo. Jo has so much time and patience and is extremely knowledgeable about mental health issues in young people. She has been so insightful into seeing the difficulties my great niece was trying to cope with. Jo always has time for her, and I believe treats each child individually. She has so much empathy, warmth and understanding. Any correspondence I have had with Jo has been answered immediately and she has given an in-depth account to any of my queries. I believe she is passionate about providing education in a welcoming, safe and inviting environment. Jo has discussed college with my great niece and seen her potential where I think school failed her. She has highlighted a course for her and now my great niece is excited about her future. I really don't believe my great niece would be thriving now if Jo hadn't of rescued her when she did. All in all, I cannot praise Jo and the staff at ATQ enough. Jo and her team have gone over and above what I believe any other educational establishment would have.
-Guardian
As the academic year draws to a close I would like to thank Jo and her team for everything they have done for me and my granddaughter over the last six years.
We first met Jo when my granddaughter asked for extra help to try for a grammar school place. She didn't get a place at grammar school but her last year at primary school culminated with an award for ‘outstanding progress’, And so her journey with Jo began.
Jo saw her potential from very early on and always encouraged her and gave her the confidence to succeed! Throughout the pandemic, isolation, lockdown and recent family trauma, Jo has been the one steadying influence in F’s life.
She introduced F to Joshi Herman from the ‘Manchester Mill’ and encouraged her to write an article for his paper, opening up about her early years and how she felt about her situation [something that she hasn't been able to talk to me about] and how she then found a coping mechanism during lockdown by watching old Hollywood films [an obsession that still fills her spare time!]
Jo knew that F wasn't engaging with online learning during lockdown, so made sure that she had extra tuition to take her through to her GCSE's, and give her the best chance of success. She now has a conditional place at a top college, [having been initially turned down] again entirely down to Jo and her wonderful team, who made sure that F’s potential, ambition and academic abilities were very much brought to the attention of the college staff!
Throughout her time at ATQ, F has always enjoyed her lessons, having ‘banter' with the other students, talking with different tutors who have helped her immensely and given her guidance, inspiration and ambition to do well in life.
As we wait now for results day, I can reflect on the journey [often emotional] we have been on with ATQ and Jo. Neither F nor I would be where we are today without her drive, support and determination.
Once again, thank you
-Kinship Carer