Does your child need a private tutor?

A private tutor works one to one with your child or, in some cases, may work with small groups of students of a similar ability. There are several reasons why people enlist the support of private tutors:

• To help a student who is struggling: If your child struggles in a specific subject, or with a particular skill such as written communication or oral presentations, a tutor can work with them to fill in knowledge gaps and build confidence. A tailored and relaxed approach means that they can progress at their own pace, feel comfortable asking questions and take new risks. A one-to-one learning environment also means that a tutor can coach your child in a way that best suits them, appealing to their particular learning style.

• To challenge a student further: Perhaps you feel that your child isn’t being stretched enough in school, or you’re aware that they’d love to develop a particular subject further. A subject-specific tutor can create a programme around the needs and ability of your child, exploring areas of a subject within or beyond the curriculum.

• To coach an individual for a re-sit: Failing an exam or not getting the grades you want can be de-moralising, and finding the motivation to revise for a re-sit can be hard, particularly if you feel like you’re going back over the same ground. A home tutor can re-inject enthusiasm and help boost your child’s grades by honing-in on areas of the paper they struggled with most, or by developing key skills such as essay writing. Meanwhile, enthusiasm can be encouraged through taking a new approach and fresh look at a subject, as well as setting targets and clear goals.

• To prepare a student for an entrance exam: Entrance exams for grammar schools and private schools require a specific approach. Intelligence is important but it’s also a case of understanding what and how to write your answers to gain marks. A private tutor that is particularly experienced in this type of examination can prepare a student using their first-hand experience and understanding.

• To learn something new: Subject time is limited in schools and, when it comes to taking GCSE and A-Level options, not all students get their first choices. In addition, learning or developing new language skills can add a wonderful extra dimension to an individual’s life, prepare them for living in a new country, or increase their employability. Equally, developing mathematics, computer or written skills can also help to boost their capabilities in other subjects. This type of home-tutoring could be tailored towards exam curriculums, with a prospect of gaining an extra qualification, or could be taught for ‘fun,’ so as to enhance their skill base without drawing the focus away from their school or college commitments.