Barnsley MP Dan Jarvis has officially opened a professional tutoring centre offering extra academic help to children across the borough.

The Kip McGrath Barnsley North Centre in Barugh Green, has been set up by former local teacher Catherine Walton, who has been a teacher for 16 years and for the past eight years has specialised in teaching English and maths.

Catherine, 56, is also qualified to provide support for children who are dyslexic.

Mr Jarvis stressed the importance of English and maths as the cornerstone of all learning and the impact those skills have on children’s chances in life.

He said the provision at Kip McGrath will help children to flourish through individual tuition in a small group setting and supplement the work carried out by schools, which will in turn reflect positively on them.

Catherine Walton says since opening demand for places at the centre has been increasing all the time.

Ben Briggs has been attending Kip McGrath in Barnsley twice a week to study both English and maths.

His mother, Sally Briggs said: “The tutoring is very personal and is conducted by Catherine, who is fully aware of Ben’s development areas, and feedback is given to me after every session.

"He enjoys attending and is becoming more and more confident in his ability and how this will help him in his lessons at school. I cannot thank Kip McGrath enough."

The centre offers tutition to both primary and secondary school students in multiple areas of their school studies, including preparation for their SATs and GCSE tests.