Steven Mitchell from the Bearsted Study Centre

Steven was the first student in the UK to graduate aged 15 from both the Kumon Maths and English programmes.

Steven's thoughts on Kumon, becoming the first UK Completer in two subjects and his plans for the future:

When I began Kumon I was already good at maths but was finding schoolwork boring. Kumon gave me a new challenge, and the method of doing a little bit of work each day helped me to learn the higher level topics more thoroughly.

English was a bit different. When I started, I was near the bottom of my school year. The programme improved my handwriting, allowed me to understand more complex aspects of the English language and enabled me to move up towards the top of my class.

Kumon has helped to build my confidence, so that schoolwork seems easy and maths and English make sense. Some days I really wanted to quit, but my Instructor Kate and my parents were always very supportive and helped me through.

Now I feel that I have the key to unlock the most difficult of problems. I am confident about my revision for my GCSEs and my ambition is to become an RAF Officer.

I was a bit shocked when I was told I was the first to complete both subjects in the UK, but it just made completing even more special.
 

Comments from Steven's parents:

We enrolled Steven on Kumon maths because we felt that he needed to be challenged further. His handwriting was also a weak area, so we thought that the English programme could help.

He was quickly able to stretch himself to reach his own goals. Now, with his GCSEs coming up, the benefits of Kumon are evident in the way he plans his revision, adopting a 'little and often' approach.

Working with Kate has been fantastic, as she has guided Steven to reach his true potential. Seeing his confidence and self-belief develop makes up for the occasional difficult day and tantrum along the way. We are extremely proud and we firmly believe he is now equipped to take on any future challenge.
 

Remarks from Kate Blacker, Steven's Instructor:

Steven's maths was good when he started, but his English skills and handwriting were quite poor. I adopted a zero tolerance approach and once he realised this, he soon made swift progress.

He is now confident in his own abilities and very supportive of the other children in the centre. I believe that Kumon has helped Steven academically and on many other levels.