Frequently Asked Questions
Administrative Matters
Q: Where are classes held?
Classes are hybrid classes (onsite & online held together).
Onsite Venues
- Buangkok – 987A Buangkok Green, Singapore 531987
- Kovan – 208 Hougang Street 21, Singapore 530208
Q: What are our fees?
- $75 per lesson (SEC 1 G3 / G2) *new*
- $80 per lesson (SEC 2 G3 / G2)
- $85 per lesson (SEC 3 G3/ G2)
- $90 per lesson (SEC 4 GCE O/ NA-LEVEL / SEC 5 NA-LEVEL)
- $95 per lesson (JC1 / IP YEAR 4 – 5 / PRE-U YR 1 – 2)
- $100 per lesson (JC2 / IP YEAR 6 / PRE-U YR 3)
*Each lesson is 2 hours long.
*These fees apply to students joining the level for the first time.
*Existing students will receive a special rate when continuing to the next level.
*Payment is to be made at the beginning of each month. For example, a month with 4 lessons would cost $360 for a Secondary 4 student (4 × $90 per lesson).
Q: Are there any additional fees?
The price reflected is a flat fee, meaning there are no additional charges such as admin or material fees.
Q: Are there any trial lessons?
- A paid trial lesson is available across all levels. This allows students to attend one lesson before committing to regular classes. The fee for the trial lesson is the same as the standard lesson fee (*see above).
- However, we encourage students to attend at least 1 month of lessons (a minimum of 4 lessons) to gain a more accurate understanding of the teaching approach at Blue Herring Academy.
Q: What is the withdrawal process like?
- Payments are non-refundable. Students are advised to attend all remaining lessons for the month once payment has been made.
- Notify Admin at least 2 weeks in advance.
Q: How will online students receive resources?
- Online students will have access to softcopies of all resources before lessons.
Hardcopies can be mailed at no extra charge after monthly fees are paid (delivery takes 2–3 working days).
All online students will have access to the softcopies regardless.
Q: What happens if students miss a lesson?
- It is the student’s responsibility to notify the teacher or Admin in advance if they anticipate being late or absent from a lesson.
- Students may watch the video recording of any lesson they have missed. Alternatively, if another class time slot is available for that level, they may attend it as a make-up lesson, provided that the pacing of that class aligns with their original class.
Q: What is our Academic Year like?
For graduating students:
- JC2/ Private Candidate (GCE A-LEVEL): January to End October
- SEC 4/ 5N/ Private Candidate (GCE O-LEVEL): January to Mid October
- SEC 4N (GCE NA-LEVEL): January to Early September
For other students:
- SEC 1/ 2/ 3: January to November
- JC1: February to November
Q: Do we offer Financial Assistance?
- Yes, we do. Please send proof of Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) and we would process it.
- If other unforeseen matters, do check in with us and we would process it on a case-by-case basis.
Subject-Related Matters
Q: Who are our teachers?
- Ms Eunice (Founder/ Lead Tutor – Upper Secondary & Junior College)
- Ms Eunice has over 10 years of teaching experience and holds a Master of Education (English Literature) from the National Institute of Education (NIE). A former GP Subject Head, she has taught more than 500 students and achieved an 82.7% A/B rate at national exams, with most improving by at least one grade band. Ms Eunice is more than just a teacher—she’s a mentor who understands the pressures her students face and strives to be a pillar of support for students who need it most, empowering them to overcome their struggles and achieve their full potential.
- Ms Justine (Secondary 3 & 4)
- Ms Justine has over 10 years of teaching experience and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Nanyang Technological University (NTU). She structures her lessons into manageable, bite-sized segments to help students overcome any initial anxiety towards the English subject. In the classroom, Ms Justine encourages active discussion and challenges students to consider new perspectives. She is known for building strong rapport with her students and for using humour thoughtfully to create an enjoyable learning space.
- Ms Jan Va (Secondary 1 & 2)
- Ms Jan Va holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Linguistics and Multilingual Studies from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where she earned a place on the Dean’s List for being among the top 5% of her cohort. With over eight years of experience, Ms Jan Va is dedicated to refining her teaching craft. She helps students identify learning gaps, develop confidence, and apply strategic, step-by-step techniques to tackle questions effectively. Widely recognised for her patience and methodical approach, she supports each student’s progress at a pace that suits them.
Q: Will there be any homework given?
- Yes. Students will receive weekly homework, either in the form of unfinished classwork or bite-sized tasks. We ensure that the workload remains balanced and not overwhelming. Nearing key examination periods, assignments may increase gradually to help students revise more effectively.
Q: How will marking be done?
- Onsite students will submit their scripts directly to the teacher in class.
- Online students will scan their scripts (using CamScanner or Adobe Scan) and upload to a designated link. Teachers will use an online marking service to mark and return to students in PDF format.
- The marking process of scripts usually takes 2 weeks.
Q: Do we review school exam papers for our students?
- Yes, but it will be based on the teacher’s assessment and bandwidth at that moment. There will be regular check-ins regarding students’ Weighted Assessment (WA) grades and if necessary, the teacher will request to view specific exam papers and/ or review only certain paper components. Feedback will be subsequently given to the student and parents will also be notified.
- Parents can also proactively request for viewing of their child’s exam scripts. All scripts submitted will require an allowance of at least 2 weeks for comprehensive feedback to be given.
- However, under certain trying circumstances, we reserve the right to refuse viewing of scripts as this goodwill has been undermined several times before. Our teachers deserve to be protected from harassment and unreasonable demands. We will not hesitate to turn away disrespect and entitlement.
Q: When should students start lessons?
Secondary Level:
- For SEC 4/5: Many graduating students often wait until they have officially ended their CCA obligations in April or May before starting tuition. However, if a student is consistently scoring Cs or lower since the end of SEC 3, it will be best to start earlier. Students averaging Bs can also start sooner to see how they can maintain or push their grades higher for certain exam components.
- For SEC 2/3: If a student’s Weighted Assessments (WAs) have been scoring Cs or lower at least two times in a row, it is best to start immediately as this means that the student needs to work on foundational skills. By starting earlier, there is a longer runway to hone skills and techniques before the final exams.
Integrated Programme (IP):
- IP is unique as there is not a need for students to take the national exams at the end of four years. Instead, they will transition to Junior College (JC) and take the national exams then (GCE A-Levels). Hence, the focus in class will be on building writing and reading skills. They may be exempted from attending the Listening and Oral classes.
- Certain schools may also start to introduce H1 General Paper components to IP Year 4 students and include them in the school exams. This is when we gauge student proficiency and progress before transitioning them to JC classes.
- IP Year 1 to Year 3 students will follow the mainstream secondary curriculum and syllabus. There will be regular check-ins by teachers for requests to view their respective IP school papers to help students with certain paper components.
- IP Year 5 students will be considered as JC1.
Junior College Level (JC) / Pre-university (Pre-U):
- For JC1/ IP Year 5/ PRE-U Year 1 to 2: As the runway is even shorter than at the Secondary level, it is best to start tuition from JC1 so that teachers can help students better transition from Secondary to JC.
- If a student’s GCE O-Level English Language grade is B4 and below, it is best to start as early as possible once JC school term starts.
- Pre-University Year 1 and 2 are considered as JC1. Most Pre-University students join when they are in Year 2.
- For JC2 / IP Year 6 / PRE-U Year 3: Many graduating students often wait until they have officially ended their CCA obligations in April or May before starting tuition. However, if a student is consistently scoring Ds or lower, it is best to start earlier. Students averaging Bs and Cs can also start sooner to see how they can maintain or push their grades higher for certain exam components.
Private Candidates:
- Private candidates taking the GCE A-Levels will be considered as JC2.
- Private candidates taking the GCE O-Levels will be considered as SEC 4. If you are an adult candidate, it is best to look for a private tutor as the student-teacher dynamic will differ greatly.