30th October 2019 15:07
By Blue Tutors
The number of students being tutored has risen rapidly over the last few years, and a recent report suggests that it shows no signs of changing. In a report on the Times website the Sutton Trust revealed the results of a survey showing how many school teachers have undertaken private tutoring.
The results showed that in state schools 24% of secondary school teachers and 14% of primary school teachers have given tuition outside of school hours. In addition, the figures for senior teachers was 7%; it’s not just young teachers who tutor as a way to supplement their salaries, experienced teachers were directly contacted by parents asking for help.
Among the other groups which offer tuition, there are now many grammar school students who advertise in their local community to tutor for the 11+ exams and common entrance exams. These students are still at school, but can receive £10 an hour for tutoring someone only a few years their junior.
One of the alleged problems with the tutoring industry, highlighted by grammar school students offering tuition, is that it is totally unregulated. Anyone can claim to be a tutor, and there is no way for parents to identify who can help and who can’t. Tutoring can really help struggling students, but it was questioned whether a student, who is already performing well, needs additional tuition outside of school hours.