Driving School

Merry Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas to all students past, present and future!

December and January are traditionally quiet times for driving instructors, so ring me and see if you can squeeze old Ebeneezer for a seasonal discount!

Looking ahead to 2012, I have no plans to increase my prices at present despite the continued horrendous cost of fuel.  I hope to get the highest advanced driver qualification obtainable outside the Police Force, namely ROSPA Gold early in the New Year and fingers crossed, I will then be in a position to offer advanced driver test preparation classes.

A * now Lewisham RATED (updated 15/12/2011)

Just a reminder that I am an accredited trainer under the Lewisham Council RATED (Road Safety Awareness Training Education and Development) Scheme.  This scheme is aimed at all new  drivers in the Lewisham area and provides online learning support through edrivingsolutions.com and free theory workshops hosted by the Road Safety team at Lewisham Council as well as in car coaching and micro lessons to encourage safe driving beyond the driving test.  The next free seminar and workshop will be at the Civic Suite in Catford (by the Town Hall) on February 15th at 7.00pm.  All new drivers are welcome, (not just A Star pupils).

Prices for 2011

I am constantly looking at ways of adding value to my lesson prices so from 2011,  I will be offering free access to e-driving solutions.com for new pupils, plus regular e-mail bulletins and other out of car learning resources designed to compliment lessons.  My prices have remained unchanged ever since I set up A * Driving School in 2007, so inevitably with the imminent rise in V.A.T. and in recognition of the fact that I am paying nearly 40% more!! at the petrol station than I was 2 years ago I am introducing a long over-due price increase.  So from 4th January 2011 my charges will be:

2 hours pay as you go £47.00

1.5 hours pay as you go £36.50

1 hour pay as you go £25.50

Buy 10 hours get 11th hour free = £235.00

 

Now on Facebook!

A Star of the Daily Express (updated 11/11/2010)

My  views on the life of a driving instructor featured in today’s Daily Express careers page.  Unfortunately the featured photo is not of me, but of someone else not nearly so good looking!

A Star joins Selkent ADIs (updated 01/11/2010)

I have recently joined an a group of local independent driving Instructors, SELKent ADI Group and have attended  meetings of theirs which have been extremely worthwhile, not just for my own professional development purposes but also to network with other like-minded Instructors.

On-line learning Resource now available for A * Pupils (updated 04/08/2010)

I am now able to offer pupils an extremely useful on-line learning centre, having subscribed to:

This site offers access to the full database of DSA Theory Test Q&As, plus some sample Hazard Perception Tests and various other on-line learning modules to compliment practical lessons.  A * pupils will be able to access this site on payment of a small enrolment fee (£10) whereupon they will be provided with their password.  This fee is refundable in the unlikely event that the pupil does not find the site valuable.

DIDU membership (updated 23/07/10)

I have recently become a member of DIDU,

which used to stand for Driving Instructors Democratic Union but now has become an association and uses the initials to “Deliver Information and Deliver Understanding”.  Two’ s company but Three’s a crowd as they say so whilst I have retained my membership of the Motor Schools Association, I have cancelled my membership of D.I.A.

Mike Milne (AADS) teams up with A *! (updated 20/10/2010)

I am delighted to announce that Mike Milne A.D.I. has recently joined forces with A* as an  associate automatic transmission instructor (currently franchised to AA Driving School).

Mike is a highly experienced fully qualified instructor teaching in a new Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec auto, he is based in Kidbrooke and covers the same area and is available weekdays other than Wednesdays until 9.00pm in the evening!

For more information please contact the office or ring Mike direct on his mobile 07976 232303.

10% discount for Greenwich Card Holders (posted 07/07/2010)

A* Driving School have become an accredited business partner to Greenwich Council and are therefore pleased to be able to offer a 10% discount on individual lesson prices

Driving in snow and ice (posted 06/01/2010 updated 14/12/2010)

Tim was recently asked by BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat to appear in a short film giving tips on driving in snow and ice conditions.  Click here to see this film which was featured on the front page of the main BBC UK news website!

One important thing not included in the film, is the need to allow enough space and time on snow and ice, that means keeping at least a 10 second gap from the vehicle in front.  To measure this count 1 elephant, 2 elephants etc from the moment the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed point (eg lamppost) if you have not got to 10 elephants by the time you get to that point then you are too close. We measure this gap in time rather than distance as obviously the greater the speed the further back you need to be.

Take great care everyone!

Update 14/12/2010:  This video has again been appearing on the bbc.co.uk website in view of the recent atrocious weather.

BTEC in Driving Skills (posted 12/12/2009 and updated 14/12/2010)

Regretfully I can no longer offer this to my pupils as the Company offering the administrative and online support appear to have ceased trading and to the best of my knowledge no-one else has taken over their role!!