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.
