Did you know that the Education Endowment Fund (EEF) reports that 1 in 3 students at secondary school have a tutor? So if you feel like your child might need tuition, you are not alone!
There are a number of indications that your child might benefit form tuition. The most common is that your child might struggle with a particular course or subject area and feel that they are falling behind and lacking in confidence. However, there are other reasons to connect with a private tutor. It might be that your child is actually under stimulated by their course and needs extra input to help them achieve their potential. Another reason is often simple practical planning –students inevitably need to secure certain grades to reach the next step of their education journey, whether that be entry to sixth form college, an apprenticeship or entry into their preferred university. It is also possible that a parents evening might provide some unexpected insight into how your child might benefit from extra support, either from the school, a peer mentor or from a private tutor.
It can be really helpful to start by having a simple conversation with your child about how they are finding things and where they are up to with their school work and aspirations. Ask them how they are finding lessons in particular subject areas and whether their grades are rising or falling. It is also worth asking how they connect with teachers and if there is high staff turnover that may be contributing to any difficulties. It is also really helpful to ask questions about their future – where do they see themselves in 2 years or 5 years? And how do they think you can help them secure the support they need to get there?
Involving you child in the decision to appoint a tutor is important as it means they feel connected and consulted and that they have a choice about the matter. It is also helpful for them to see and fully grasp themselves how it might help them in both the short and long term.
So, say you’ve decided finding a private tutor is a good idea but there is such a mass of information online – where do you get started?
There are a number of options –
Independent tutors
these tutors work alone and can commonly be found on directories. If you engage with an independent tutor do make sure to see evidence of an enhanced DBS check, ID and qualification proof.
Online tutoring
this can happen via online tuition agencies or through referral agencies that also offer online lessons. This can be helpful if your child wishes to learn form the comfort of their own home.
Agencies
There are a lot of tutoring agencies out there who offer face to face tutoring. It’s a good idea to ask about their vetting procedures, whether they work with schools and also check out reviews about the agency.
Peer/in-house tutoring
This can be overlooked as an option but is actually really good. If you have an older child that can help tutor a younger one this is great practice for the older child and this is free of charge – you can find a creative reward system for both! Likewise, you may have a family friend who would like to help out in return for a reference or experience for a job application or teaching course. It is worth asking around or putting out a note on social media to see if you can connect with the right tutor for you within your own family and friendship circles. Also ask if the school has an extra programmes from which your child might benefit.
Tutoring is on the rise and the evidence base to support its effectiveness is ever-growing. At Bristol Tutors ltd we are happy to help you find the right tutor for you – whether you wish this to be face to face, online tuition or blended learning.