When should I consider getting a tutor?
When is the right time to get a tutor? Firstly, careful consideration needs to be given as to why you are looking for a tutor. There are many different reasons for choosing a tutor, and tutors can be hugely beneficial throughout any stage of education, from primary school to secondary school, to sixth-form college and beyond. At any age, a tutor can provide your child with personalised teaching to meet their individual learning needs. Whether you are looking for specialised subject teaching or exam preparation; dyslexia support or help in developing academic confidence; tutors can help your child progress towards their own learning goals.
Exam preparation is a time when you may be looking for a tutor. From SATS to entrance exams, and GCSEs to A-Levels, there are many different exam periods where you may find a tutor to be of great benefit. Tutors can help support children who are struggling in a particular subject, as well as stretch and extend children who are confident in a subject. As well as building up academic knowledge, a tutor will be able to offer guidance and support on revision strategies, exam techniques, and dealing with the pressures of the exam period. However, it is important to consider the time frame for this. A build-up of skills, knowledge, and understanding of concepts takes time: sometimes up to a year ahead of any important date. Tutoring is not a ‘quick fix’ or something which should be left until the last minute, especially in the case of exams.
The key to tutoring is allowing time for tutors and students to build a positive, trusting rapport with each other. From this, tutors are able to create a personalised learning program for your child, which they can adapt from session to session. With regular tuition over a period of time, teachers can tailor their sessions to build upon previous learning, and plan ways to help develop further progression. They will be able to get to know your child’s learning style, and learn where to address any gaps in knowledge, unpick misconceptions, and challenge thinking. Instead of cramming in panicked last-minute revision, tuition sessions can offer a calm, focused approach within the exam period. In addition to this, getting the right tutor who has the qualifications and experience needed is equally as important.
Academic confidence is a specific area where a tutor can really help your child develop. If you have noticed a dip in your child’s confidence in a particular subject or within wider school life, 1:1 tuition can be a relaxed space for your child to be themselves and explore their learning needs. It is much easier to boost a child’s self-esteem with early intervention, rather than waiting until it becomes a bigger problem. A tutor can focus on gradually building up their confidence, by tapping into their own interests, giving praise, and working on achievable targets for your child. Again, time is important with this, and with regular tutoring sessions, a child’s enjoyment and engagement in their learning should increase more and more.
1:1 tuition can be a great choice at any stage, all the way from KS1 to KS4. Before choosing a tutor, focus on your goals and reasons why you would like a tutor, and then think about the time-scale for this. It is far better to think ahead and get the necessary support in place, sooner rather than later. Regular tuition can make all the difference to a child and create real turning points in children’s education.
Rosie Pariser – An Elite Tutor!
