Call us today: 021 156 9281

 

Melanie Coker small.jpg"Hi, I'm Melanie Coker, the  founder and director of AHeadStart Ltd. Tutoring from AHeadStart provides students with the tools to achieve their best, no matter what level they are at.

Starting from five tutors in 2009, AHeadStart now has more than 40 tutors in Christchurch. Over 4,000 students have so far benefitted from our tuition. So many have gone on to achieve degrees they would never have believed possible while at school. Tuition with AHeadStart has opened their minds to the possibilities, altered their dreams for the better and ultimately changed their lives.

I will personally guide each student through the start of their tutoring journey, and make sure they have the best tutor to suit their needs. I give you my personal guarantee."

 

Why AHeadStart Tuition?

  • Personalised one-on-one tutoring in Christchurch - one-on-one or in small groups
  • Convenient Christchurch locations - in person at a local library or in your own home
  • Tuition for all levels - primary (literacy and numeracy), secondary (NCEA, Cambridge and IB) and adult students
  • Expert tutors - high achieving, excellent communicators with a passion for learning
  • Multiple subjects - our tutors can assist students with several subjects within each tutorial
  • Choice of tuition plans - select your desired level of guidance, including progress reports
  • Online tutoring - available all across New Zealand
  • Great value - from $63 per hour for a one-on-one tutorial in person
  • Payment options - pay per tutorial, or in bulk for a 10% discount
  • No fixed term - choose how many tutorials you need to achieve your goals

Contact us for a FREE consultation

 

PERSONALISED ONE-ON-ONE TUITION

Individually customised tutorials match each student's own unique needs

Personalised


Our initial assessment and tailored lessons allows students to be taught more effectively, in a way that meets their own specific requirements.

One-on-one


Individual tuition benefits students as they focus better, increase their confidence and learn more.
 

Expert Tutors


We guide students in their studies and help them develop better study skills, so they perform their best in exams and assessments.

“AHeadStart has been incredibly helpful and I definitely would have struggled in exams without the tuitions. AHeadStart overall is better that any of the other tutors I have attended in terms of learning and memorising, approach, time and location. I would recommend AHeadStart to my friends.”

Richard, January 2014
Year 12, Level 2 Biology, Chemistry & Physics

"[My son] found going over the specific areas that he didn't understand [helpful]...again the ability to personalise teaching to his specific learning needs."

Mother of student December 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Chemistry

"Thank you so much for setting Scarlett's tuition up this year. She has found her sessions with Ciara so helpful - we've really appreciated her help.
Regards, Amanda"

Scarlett's mother Amanda, November 2025
Year 12 Chemistry & Mathematics

“Hi Melanie thank you for your tutoring last year, I just wanted you to know that I got excellence in bio! Thank you for helping me get there :)”

Rachel, January 2017
Year 13, Biology

"Sophie I'm sure has gained a good deal from her tutorials, even if just increased confidence in her abilities. Helena was a good match for her and very flexible with times etc."

Sophie’s mother Kirstie, November 2014
Year 11, Mathematics

"[Tuition] also helped me have a better understanding of the maths subjects I wasn't doing too well in and also helped me set realistic goals for the subjects. Once I got what I wasn't getting it made my confidence go up as I knew that I could actually do it."

Alice Cameron, December 2008
Year 12, Level 2 Mathematics

"We are very impressed by Joran and appreciate the effort he is putting into working with Isaac.
A great thorough report.
We are pleased to be continuing with his tutoring."

Isaac's mother Rebecca, August 2025
Year 12 Digital Technology

"The tutorials are going well and he got a lot out of the most recent one with Robert. I wish we had started them earlier!"

Alex’s mother Lois, July 2014
Year 11, Physics

"Jed’s feedback was very positive and he definitely thinks tutoring will be useful, he obviously liked Max. Martin said he drove Max a bit mad with his questions but it sounds like Max managed that well!"

Jed’s mother Lesley, September 2014
Year 11, Science

“Thanks Melanie. Kate is far more comfortable with Statistics after these sessions. I'm not going to think too much about that after years of private schooling! Thank you for your assistance Melanie, I am very pleased to have been able to call on you and your team of tutors.”

Kate’s mother Marie, November 2015
Year 13, Statistics

"AHeadStart is the best, especially [because] they offer one on one tutorials with the students and it helps students tackle difficult concepts and boost academic confidence."

Marz's mother Miguela, February 2026
2nd Year Engineering

“Just letting you know I passed both of my maths exams! So thanks for all the help – it paid off!”

Jane, January 2015
Year 13, Statistics

“Josh moved from stats to calc, he had a lot of catching up to do.
The tutoring gave him a better chance at his exams, he seemed more confident about his ability.”

Josh’s father Russell, January 2016
Year 13, Calculus

“Ethan LOVES his lessons! Joe has completely lit a spark in him, it’s great to see J

Also – we just got Tom’s mid year reports and he got the highest scores possible in Maths and Science and is now top of the class in Maths! Way to go Sean!”

Ethan’s and Tom’s mother Jo, June 2015
Year 5 & Year 9, Mathematics & Science

"Thanks so much for the input you guys had in getting Ben more prepared for his exams. He is adamant that it helped so fingers crossed for January exam result time!!!!"

Ben’s mother Seanne, December 2014
Year 13, Calculus & Chemistry

"Wow Sophie was impressive! She was patient and engaging. She had a wealth of knowledge and fully prepared. Troy just beamed with confidence after sitting with her for only an hour. We are more than happy with continuing with Sophie, honestly I have no concerns with Troy passing English with her guidance. 
She’s just lovely."

Troy's mother Leanne, February 2025
Year 10, English

"Sarah has been wonderful for Nicole and so patient.  She has come a long way and has had a good attitude and self-belief which is showing in her work."

Nicole’s mother Alison, October 2013
Year 11 English, Mathematics & Science

“Hi Melanie.

I met Sam when I dropped Angus off tonight. What a lovely young man. He seems to be prepared and very on to it.

He will text a review of the session tomorrow so we can be able to know how it all went.

We are very impressed and happy with the calibre of the tutors we have become involved with.

Thank you.

Keep in touch :-)

Cheers and thanks, Wendy.”

Angus’s mother Wendy, September 2016
Year 11, Economics & Mathematics

“Thank you for your excellent tutoring service and support of Ben over the past couple years.”

Ben’s mother Anya, November 2015
Year 13, Statistics

"[Tom] says that it went well. He learnt new  things about writing: about planning. He feels that he did well in his NCEA literacy writing test today!"

Tom's mother Rachael, September 2024
Year 10, English

“Lucie was struggling with minimal help at school, and would have got achieved at best with chem, but after tutoring got merit.
Lucie had a huge amount of extracurricular responsibility, and missed a lot of class time. Caitlin was very clear on re capping and making sure Lucie was absolutely certain in her answers."

Lucie’s mother Deb, January 2014
Year 13, Chemistry

"[We found it helpful] that our tutor Michelle, was more than business - she was REALLY interested in our daughter, her experience at school, her progress, how she related to her teachers.
She also taught how to look at the problem from another angle or another way, until you find one that makes sense to you."

Olivia’s mother Allie, January 2014
Year 9, Mathematics

“Jedd is dyslexic and needed assistance with implementing and understanding what he was learning at school.
Jedd's school report was excellent and he achieved "above the standard" results in many of the assessed areas which was impressive for Jedd!”

Jedd’s mother, January 2016
Year 10, English

“Hi Mel I just got my result for the Homeostasis internal and I got Excellence! Thank you for all the help, hope you have great holidays!
Izzy.”


Isabel, April 2016
Year 13, Biology

 

"Jack has been amazing!!!  I cannot speak more highly of him. 

Eddy appears to be reaching his goals. He has had a major shift in attitude since working with Jack. I have watched him apply himself in many different aspects of his life since having tutoring. Not only maths and physic. Eddy is more confident at tackling any study now. 

Thank you again, Jack is an asset to have. He has been patient, understanding and explains the questions in a language Eddy understands. He is always on time. Jack has kept Eddy motivated to study. I highly recommend him. Thank you again."

Eddy's mother Helen, October 2025
Year 12 Mathematics & Physics

TUITION FOR ALL LEVELS

Tutorials are available for primary, secondary and adult students

PRIMARY STUDENTS

Your child may require help to catch up in reading, writing or maths, gain confidence and build a strong foundation.

Or they may want extension in their favourite subject, or one not covered much at primary school, such as science or coding.

Whatever your child's goals, our primary school tutors will guide your child through every tutorial through regular assessment and lots of encouragement!

More About Primary Tuition >

SECONDARY STUDENTS

Secondary school can be a stressful time for students, especially with regular NCEA assessments throughout the year. Fitting study in around sports and other extracurricular activities can also be challenging.

Whether a student wants to gain enough credits to pass the year, or is aiming for a Merit or Excellence endorsement, our tutors can assist to make that goal a reality. And of course we can also help with Cambridge and International Baccalaureate.
 

 
More About Secondary Tuition >

ADULT STUDENTS

As an adult student it can often be difficult getting back into study, as it may have been years since you opened a text book. You may also be tacking an unfamiliar subject such as mathematics or science.

On top of this you may be studying part time or extramurally, so it may a challenge to fit study around your daily life. Our tutors can help you streamline the learning process, so you can get through your studies with confidence!
 

More About Adult Tuition >

MULTIPLE SUBJECTS

Our tutors can assist students with many subjects in each tutorial

  1. AHeadStart can assist students with 30 different subjects - Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science and Accounting tutoring, are just a small selection.
  2. Most AHeadStart tutors have strengths in multiple NCEA, Cambridge and International Baccalaureate® (IB) subjects, even including subjects as diverse as English, Mathematics & Science!
  3. Flexibility of tutorial structure means students can choose which subjects the cover in a lesson. This means tutors can prepare students as best as possible before each school assessment.
  4. Students benefit by having one tutor to cover several subjects and make the most out of every tutorial.

 

 

Accounting

Secondary & Adult Tuition

English

Primary, Secondary & Adult Tuition

Mathematics

Primary, Secondary & Adult Tuition

Science

Primary, Secondary & Adult Tuition

OUR NUMBERS SAY IT ALL

Students

3,659+

 

Students have chosen AHeadStart

Tutors

40+

 

AHeadStart tutors to choose

Hours

60,702+

 

Hours of tuition provided

EXPERT TUTORS

Students choose their own tutor from a selection to match their specific needs

  1. Our team of Christchurch tutors are high achievers, excellent communicators and passionate about sharing their knowledge.
  2. Every tutor has personal experience of NCEA, Cambridge or IB at secondary school, and know what it takes to achieve success. Many tutors were Dux or Proxime Accessit, or involved in leadership positions such as Head Boy or Head Girl.
  3. Our tutors are selected via a very thorough interview process. All tutors are screened by the NZ Police prior to being placed with students.

 

TUITION PLANS

Students select a tuition plan to match their goals and level of motivation

ONE-ON-ONE TUITION

PLATINUM PLAN

For students who lack motivation and need guidance with their studies. Includes weekly homework and progress reports every 5 tutorials.

More Details

GOLD PLAN

For self-motivated students who take charge of their own learning and have questions about their school work.
 

More Details

GROUP TUITION

SILVER PLAN

For self-motivated students wanting personalised tuition in pairs.

Students need to have a sibling or friend they would like to have tuition with before choosing this plan.

More Details

GROUP PLAN

For self-motivated students who would like tuition in a small group.

Students need to have two siblings or friends they would like to have tuition with before choosing this plan.

More Details

TUITION FREQUENCY

Students choose how often they would like to see their tutor to match their needs

WEEKLY
 

  • Students have a regular weekly tutorial (or more) during the school terms.
  • Suits students who want consistent help throughout the year to stay on top of their schoolwork.

 

CASUAL
 

  • Students schedule tutorials as required, with no ongoing commitment.
  • Suits students who need help for a short period to catch up on missed work or assistance before assessments.
     

 

 

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Tuition at a local library or in your own home

Libraries

15+

Libraries where
AHeadStart has tutorials

Suburbs

70+

Suburbs where students
can be tutored at home

CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

A range of locations to suit your needs

  

City Libraries


Christchurch Public Libraries and the University of Canterbury provide a studious environment and inspire students to use these spaces in their own learning time.

We Can Come To You


Home tuition is available in Christchurch for those with busy schedules and offers a familiar, safe environment for the student to learn.