Frequently asked questions

Performance Learning is a UK education company, founded in 2013 by Dr Tej Samani, that helps young people reach exam grades that reflect their true ability. It combines a non-cognitive diagnostic assessment called Foresight with metacognitive training and mindset coaching. It tackles the root causes of underperformance: how students feel, see themselves and behave in learning, rather than just subject content.

Performance Learning is for parents and students preparing for SATs, the 11 Plus, GCSEs, A levels and further education, and for the schools that teach them. It works with primary, secondary and independent schools, state schools and pupil referral units, colleges and multi-academy trusts. It is built for young people whose results do not yet reflect what they are capable of.

The Foresight assessment is Performance Learning's 25-minute online, non-cognitive assessment. Rather than testing subject knowledge, it looks at learning behaviours, wellbeing and attainment factors such as recall. For £50 you get a one-page action plan for your child, one for you and a 35-page report you can share with school. An optional 30-minute live review call costs £45.

SOAR is Performance Learning's adaptive online learning platform. Foresight + SOAR Online Learning costs £10 a month and includes the full Foresight assessment, unlimited access to SOAR, personalised learning pathways with on-demand coaching, and monthly progress monitoring. It suits families who want their child to build better learning habits independently, a few minutes at a time, with support at every step.

The Virtual Classroom with PL is a small-group programme of two live, interactive virtual masterclasses, each lasting 2 hours, focused on practical techniques that boost results and confidence. It costs £295 and includes a Foresight assessment, so the coaching starts from an understanding of how your child learns. Groups are kept small so that every child gets individual attention.

Academic Transformation with Dr Tej is Performance Learning's most intensive programme. Your child receives one-to-one, face-to-face coaching with Dr Tej Samani throughout the year, a personalised folder of learning material that he curates, and access to SOAR between sessions. It is available by application only, so the first step is to register your interest with the team.

Performance Learning's prices for parents are: the Foresight assessment at £50, with an optional £45 live review call; Foresight + SOAR Online Learning at £10 a month; the Virtual Classroom with PL at £295 for two live 2-hour sessions plus a Foresight assessment; and Academic Transformation with Dr Tej, which is by application only.

A good place to start is the £50 Foresight assessment, because it shows what is holding your child back before you commit to more. For ongoing independent practice, Foresight + SOAR at £10 a month adds the online platform. For live coaching in a small group, choose the £295 Virtual Classroom. For intensive one-to-one work with Dr Tej Samani, apply for Academic Transformation.

Tutoring usually re-teaches subject content. Exam coaching at Performance Learning focuses on how your child learns: organising and recalling information, exam technique, staying focused under pressure, managing exam anxiety and wellbeing, and how they see themselves as a learner. The two can work together. The Foresight report is designed to be shared with tutors, schools and other support teams.

Performance Learning does not replace subject teaching. It teaches students how to learn their subjects, with strategies to map, organise and recall heavy content. In one-to-one coaching with Dr Tej, that covers GCSE subjects such as maths, science, English, geography and history, and A level subjects such as economics, business, the sciences, English and politics.

Yes. Performance Learning's approach has been studied in peer-reviewed papers at the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education in 2017 and 2018 and in a 2021 Springer case study. Students using Performance Learning improved by an average of 2.4 grades against their predicted grades (Thomas et al., 2024, an analysis of 940 students led by Birkbeck's Centre for Educational Neuroscience). Several studies are co-authored by founder Dr Tej Samani.

Students using Performance Learning improved by an average of 2.4 grades against their predicted grades (Thomas et al., 2024, an analysis of 940 students led by Birkbeck's Centre for Educational Neuroscience). The figure comes from 940 students aged 15 to 16 with low previous attainment, whose actual exam grades were compared with their schools' predictions across six subjects. It is a group average, not a guarantee for any individual child.

Dr Tej Samani is the founder and CEO of Performance Learning. He has spent more than a decade researching how pupils learn, completed doctoral research on improving exam results and assessment in schools, and co-authored peer-reviewed papers on artificial intelligence in education. Before working in education he competed on the ATP Tour as a professional tennis player. He is a One Young World Ambassador.

Yes. Performance Learning works with primary, secondary and independent schools, state schools and pupil referral units, colleges and multi-academy trusts. Schools use its pupil-voice diagnostics to see how pupils feel about learning and what is holding them back, then act through metacognition programmes and teacher-supported interventions. Eton College, Rugby School and The Appleton School are among the schools that have used it.

For multi-academy trusts, Performance Learning provides trust-wide diagnostic dashboards alongside pupil-voice diagnostics, metacognition programmes and teacher-supported interventions. That gives trust leaders a consistent view of learning behaviours and wellbeing across their schools, so they can target support where it is needed most. Trusts can book a call with the Performance Learning schools team to discuss their needs.

Pricing for schools is set per pupil and depends on the package your school or trust chooses. Performance Learning's schools pricing options page sets out the current packages. If you are not sure which package fits, book a call with the schools team, who can talk through your pupils, your priorities and the right level of support.

Yes. Performance Learning Primary helps pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6 identify early barriers to learning, prepare for the 11 Plus or SATs and make the move to secondary school. Parents can start with the Foresight assessment, and primary schools can book a call with Performance Learning's primary team to discuss support for their pupils.

Yes. Performance Learning works with further education colleges, where its diagnostics help identify learners who may be at risk of underachieving or leaving their course early, so that support can be targeted. A 2021 Springer case study at a college in the north of England looked at how learners' self-reports could help predict retention and progression. Colleges can book a call with the further education team.

Yes. The Foresight assessment looks at how your child perceives stress and anxiety in school, alongside sleep, energy, time management and exam recall. Coaching then teaches practical ways to manage exam anxiety and stay focused under pressure, as part of learning how to learn. If anxiety is severe or affecting daily life, speak to your GP or your child's school as well.

Yes. Performance Learning offers exam coaching for children with ADHD and for children with dyslexia. Rather than tutoring subjects, it teaches children how to organise information, stay focused, remember what they have learned and approach exams with more confidence, at their own pace. Parents can book a dedicated call to discuss their child's needs before choosing any support.

Performance Learning takes privacy seriously, handles personal data in line with the GDPR and other applicable data protection law, and is Cyber Essentials Plus certified. It uses security measures including encryption and secure servers, limits access to authorised personnel and keeps data no longer than necessary. You can ask to access, correct or delete your data, withdraw consent or complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.

Both. Performance Learning is based in London and works across the United Kingdom. The Foresight assessment and SOAR are online, and the Virtual Classroom with PL is delivered live online. Academic Transformation with Dr Tej includes face-to-face coaching sessions. For schools, Performance Learning combines online diagnostics with programmes delivered in school.

Parents can start by booking a £50 Foresight assessment or a call with the Performance Learning team to talk through their child's needs. Schools, colleges and multi-academy trusts can book a call with the schools team. If you have a question first, email uk@myperformancelearning.com. All booking links, organised by who you are and what you need, are on the contact page.