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Why are Parents Turning to Tutoring? Around a quarter of children in the UK are being tutored. Claire Winter looks at why one in four families are seeking extra help outside of the classroom.
Parents often get extra tuition for their children to prepare them for important exams. They also get them to help boost their child’s skills in a subject in which they aren’t doing well or to help them excel in a subject, and impress the schools to which they are applying. It’s estimated that we spend £2 billion a year on private tutoring, which makes us one of the top spenders on tuition in the world.
Ex-teacher Victoria Kennedy, takes the view that tutoring needs careful management to ensure it doesn’t result have a negative impact on a child. She says: I found that children with extra pressure and expectations from parents struggled with failure, needed more encouragement and guidance to complete tasks and often suffered from a sense of overwhelm.
Many parents believe that tutoring The education charity the Sutton can be an amazing resource that Trust acknowledges the importance gives children extra confidence, of tutoring but worries that extra reassurance and skills to stop them tuition is causing the educational feeling overwhelmed by the gap to widen between pressures of schoolwork. children from affluent Others argue that extra Many parents economic backgrounds believe that tutoring creates more and those from poorer tutoring can pressure on children. Many ones. be an amazing children are busy already resource. with lots of extra-curricular activities and homework.
The charity’s chair, Sir Peter Lampl, says: Private tuition is widespread and increasingly so. Nearly half of teachers have tutored and a quarter of teenagers have been tutored.
Families® Magazine spoke to parents about their thoughts on tutoring.
CEO and founder of the charity, Action Tutoring, Susannah Hardyman, also highlights the importance of tutoring.
I think tutoring can be a positive thing at junior school age; it can shore up work done in class. Know what your goal is when you hire a tutor, finding the right one is crucial.
We know tutoring works to improve grades and this impact is not limited to young people from high-income backgrounds either. As more and more young people access private tutors, the gap in attainment between disadvantaged young people and their peers will grow. Our charity uses the power of volunteer tutors to bridge the gap and ensure tutoring support can be accessed by every pupil who needs it, not just those who can afford it.
Gill says:
Academic performance is important to Judith. We want our son to get into a good Prep school, and the entrance exams are very competitive. Tutoring will ensure he gets the best chance to go to the school of our choice.
Dyslexia Assessments & Support from Diverse Thinking
Individualised Learning & Care at Moyles Court School
Vicki Angel is a fully qualified dyslexia assessor with over 20 years educational experience.
Moyles Court (from age 3 to 16yrs) is set within the most beautiful New Forest Park with extensive grounds, offering your child the most wonderful opportunities to thrive in the outdoors as well and the classroom.
Her business, Diverse Thinking, aims to recognise and support children and adults with Specific Learning Difficulties. Vicki works in local schools and universities carrying out dyslexia assessments. If your child is struggling in school despite additional help, an assessment will pinpoint areas of strength and areas they may need specific support with. Contact Vicki via www.diversethinking.co.uk or 07913 417192.
Not only will the children benefit from smaller class sizes, excellent pastoral care and a curriculum tailored to their individual needs, they will also enjoy weekly sessions in French, PE, Dance, Cookery, Music Bugs and Forest Schools. Richard Milner Smith, Headmaster says: “Our core values are at the heart of our fabulous school and we provide the best possible start in life. We offer individualised learning, a flexible approach to travel and wrap around care – making us accessible to so many families who want their children to be happy, learning and achieving in our glorious New Forest setting.”
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