Tutoring Question.

[FiveHoursSleep]

We live in an area of London without Grammar Schools but there are 5 allocated places for our postcode for a Grammar about 3/4 hr away. It is also feasible for kids to attend some of the Super Selective schools if they get in.
DD1 is academically inclined, doing well at an excellent State school and we've decided, with her input, to have her tutored to sit the exams next year. She's in year 5 now.
She's doing well with her tutor, who is happy with her progress but we've just had an email from the tutor, asking if DD would like to change into a group with two other girls about the same level as her. She having one to one sessions atm.
It's £10 a week cheaper (£25 vs £35) and the money isn't an issue, but I'm wondering if it's better for kids to be tutored by themselves or in a group?
I guess it depends on the dynamics of the group, but by the time we know that, DD may be unhappy not doing so well and the tutor may not have any more room for 121 sessions.
WWYD?

I'd prefer small groups - they can bounce stuff off each other as well as the tutor

1-2-1 so the session is tailored to your DD, especially if this is for 11+ which is a lot about exam technique.

lol, see I would assume the request is partly because the tutor's doing the same things with them anyway

agreed, but if you have children working at different speeds, understanding different types of questions etc then I think you would get less out of a group session vs a 1-2-1, and if money is not an issue why not do the 1-2-1?

The tutors words were 'there are 2 lovely girls in it who are on the same level as your daughter. I feel that she would fit in so well with them and I do teach the same things that I do privately. It is also good in the groups as they can get ideas of one another and the interaction and competition works well.
I usually start doing more timed work as well at this point in year 5 to start really preparing them for the 11+ and it would be good for her to work along side others.'
Call me a cynic, but I was wondering how much of this was true and how much was the realisation that she could possibly fit in another group where she'd previously had my DD, and make more money. She's a popular tutor and I know she has limited space.

Well as a tutor I prefer 1-2-1 because I find it more difficult all round when students are doing different things or are different levels. I think tailoring to the student is what tutoring is about.

On the other hand, if I thought I could get £75 for an hour's work, students all doing exactly the same thing and only having to travel to the one location then I think I'd be very tempted to tell the parents what a good idea it was...
Especially if I could do it several times over.

Fortunately for my conscience I don't teach an age or subjects where that'd be likely to happen :o

We go to her place, so she's not even having to travel. The group lessons are slightly longer than the 121 but I can't help thinking the only positive of a group is saving a bit of dosh.

£35 and you go to her I need to put my rates up.

I would guess the fact that she does timed work is influencing it. If you're going to sit there and do nothing but watch them work you might as well watch a load at once, and be paid more for it.

I think really it's whether you want to save the money or not. I'm not convinced it will really help your DD especially, but I'm not sure it will hinder either.

Can you maybe do a test couple and see if your DD likes it? If she likes being in a group then go for it. But make sure you find out if she's more reticent to answer etc, some people thrive with tutors because it takes away the competition and pressure of other students watching etc, so it would be a shame to lose that if that's better for your DD.

Can't you do both? Have the group lessons and then every third week have a 1:1 lesson (on another day) which is paid for out of the saving from having opted for the group lessons?

At the end of 18 months group tutoring sessions, I would say stick with the 1:1. I really regret going down the group route - although to be fair our groups were bigger than 3. But it's been very hard to see what the children have got out of it.

A test is a good idea, so is doing both, if the tutor has room. I'm reluctant to close the door on 121 completely, but DD is social and likes company, so the right girls might actually encourage her.

I prefer doing 1-2-1 tutoring. Kids generally make more progress and I feel they are happier to say when they don't understand without having to admit it to peers, if you know what I mean. I love the fact that in 1-2-1 children will just say "no, i don't get that" where in a group situation they may be shy or embarrassed. I can also tailor the work more for a 1-2-1 than I can for even a small group.

I think it depends on the child, the level of work and the subject area. I am about to start an after school tuition centre in the Bournemouth area and will be tutoring up to 5 students at a time, designing an indivisualised programme for each depending on their needs. After teaching with classes of 30 children I will be able to give the individualised help they need making sure I am busy earning the £15 an hour I am charging. It is the experience of the tutor which will ensure that the children reach their potential.