Boom time for the private tuition industry

 It’s boom time for the private tuition industry, with demand for tutors up by a third. The figures are astonishing with over 40% of pupils in London employing the services of a private tutor. In the past year alone, one in ten of all state-educated 11 to 16 year olds in England and Wales were privately tutored. 27% of children use tutors over the summer period and, with 164 Grammar schools in England, eleven plus tutors are particularly in demand.

Why the surge in demand?

 Well, quite simply, the figures show that the private tuition industry has been responsible for improvements in exam results, offering better chances of gaining entry into the best colleges and universities. The demand peaks at certain times of year, since some pupils cram at the last minute. The subjects pupils struggle most with are maths (the single most tutored subject), followed by English, the sciences, Spanish and French. While online tutoring is on the increase, people are finding that personal, one-to-one tutoring gives great results, as the tutor watches and monitors the progress of a pupil.

 Besides all this, people learn at different rates, so a personal tutor, like a personal trainer, provides a bespoke service. Many realise that, while schools are under ever-increasing pressure to deliver high results in over-stretched conditions, the availability of private tutors relieves some of that pressure and assists the development of pupils’ needs.

 Of course, it’s not just about school-age students and exams. There are over 500 different subjects being taught at private level, ranging from recreational art to the wonders of wellbeing. People of all ages are seeing the benefits of learning new skills and subjects.

What are the benefits of private tuition?

 One-to-one teaching, with more time and attention, is hard to beat. Bespoke lessons empower pupils, resulting in increased confidence. Help with homework and test practice are vital, and a more flexible and convenient arrangement allows for better use of time. Plus the ability to choose your tutor allows more interesting materials and forms of study to be employed. Tutoring bridges the gaps that sometimes inevitably exist in classroom teaching and provides a fresh, different perspective on subjects. This, in turn, often brings out creative thinking in the pupil and builds self-esteem and confidence.

So what does this mean for the economy?

 Parents spend £6 billion a year on private tuition in the UK. The average agency tutor in the UK charges around £22 per hour, increasing, particularly in London, to prices in excess of £100 per hour. It’s significant, too, that many school teachers consider a career change, with 53% of qualified teachers considering private tuition as opposed to classroom teaching, where they face the possibility of longer hours for the same pay.