Opting for private tutoring

[SkyMoonStars]

Hi all - For those who decided to use private tutors and/or eLearning platforms for their 10-14 year olds, I was wondering what drove your decision to look for outside help? Was it, perhaps, a poor quality teacher at school or your child not being stretched enough? Or were there other reasons like entry into a top school?

Would be really grateful if you could share your stories!

You sound like a journalist.

It was a poor quality teacher. The school was outstanding but he just couldn't keep any control in class as didn't have a focus. My daughter was suffering in that subject, yet great in others.

Complained to the school but the education world are awful in managing performance (I have inside knowledge on this). He eventually left and I understand with a good reference but the damage was done. There wasn't an immediate replacement as was a subject area in demand so agency cover and we just decided to bite the bullet and get a tutor to bring her up to speed and just kept them on to GCSE. Got a great grade but others didn't and was apparent they had suffered so glad we were able to pay.

I just hope that education start looking at this post Covid. The unions are very aggressive about senior teachers coming jnto class and monitoring delivery (even using remote video tools) and urge their members to complain of bullying

@Mumoftwoinprimary

You sound like a journalist.

Oh no, I'm not. I'm researching for a master's project. Was finding it difficult to tap into the right community and get some insights. Grateful for any answers though!

@MarieG10

It was a poor quality teacher. The school was outstanding but he just couldn't keep any control in class as didn't have a focus. My daughter was suffering in that subject, yet great in others.

Complained to the school but the education world are awful in managing performance (I have inside knowledge on this). He eventually left and I understand with a good reference but the damage was done. There wasn't an immediate replacement as was a subject area in demand so agency cover and we just decided to bite the bullet and get a tutor to bring her up to speed and just kept them on to GCSE. Got a great grade but others didn't and was apparent they had suffered so glad we were able to pay.

I just hope that education start looking at this post Covid. The unions are very aggressive about senior teachers coming jnto class and monitoring delivery (even using remote video tools) and urge their members to complain of bullying

thanks. May I ask what subject this was? and I'm assuming this was a traditional face-to-face tutor? did you consider any of the online options?

It was maths. Yes face to face tutor. Getting the right tutor was key....ie they can relate to the child. That means jokey stuff non related to the subject but often stereotypical ...ie for boys gym and sport and girls ..well clothes, whatever I guess. Grated me when paying a lot per hour but meant the relationship was great for learning

Oh..no didn't consider online at all...assuming you mean using Teams etc?

@MarieG10

Oh..no didn't consider online at all...assuming you mean using Teams etc?

I meant, tutors who teach online. there are quite a few platforms now.

OP what platforms are available? Would be really helpful if you could name a few.

Neither poor quality teaching, nor not being stretched enough.

For us

• from y8 - English tuition as DD was struggling. Was 'below expectations' in y6 and although making progress was only predicted grade 2/3 at GCSE. So some focused 1-1 we though would help. (We also didn't want the massive panic we had had with DD1 in y11).
• from mid y11 - Some other tutoring as DD is too unwell to access school so we are having to do our own thing in an attempt to achieve something out of the current GCSE mess.

English started face to face. Any tutoring DD is getting is now on zoom.

Mojo Learning Labs, Atom Learning for 11+, Seneca Learning (content seems a bit simplistic tho).

There a quite a few in America as well, but then I guess they cater to a different curriculum/audience.

DS uses Seneca and also said it was very simple and not very engaging. Thank you for other suggestions,I'd not heard of them.

DD was using seneca. It is great for getting basic core knowledge instilled. I view it more as a revision tool than a teaching one really from what I have seen.

OP The one I have seen mentioned here a lot is Tassomai for science. It has a 'grade guarantee' if you 'finish' it, or something.

Just looked at Tassomai. Seems quite focused on exams and grades. Is grades a key driver for parents? I mean, grades and learning are quite unrelated from my experience.

Grades are what are needed for the next level. They are the gatekeepers for A levels, university etc.

Personally I would imagine very few parents (bar the Home Educators who are on a different board here on MN) would pay for tutors but not care about grades.

We didn't consider online 1-2-1 tutoring as we felt the interaction of the tutor being there was important and I think we were proved right. Obviously now it would be different

Cool, thanks.

Cost aside, what did you look for when selecting tutors and/or tutoring agencies?

A current or ex-teacher with knowledge and experience of the course/board requirements.

Someone who would be patient, gentle and encouraging with my DD (ie good personality match)

Specialism in the subject and some knowledge of the curriculum. We were not insistent on being an ex teacher. On one occasion if was a masters post grad (daughter) and some trainee teacher.

The match was important...in fact very important. son very resistant in having a tutor as wasn't cool. Said he wouldn't engage until said tutor arrived...lad in early 20s with lots in common....20 mins later getting on like a house on fire and after that was even up for additional tutoring if required.

OK, thanks.

On the subject of teaching, if there were 3 things you could change about the current schooling system, what would they be?

When you say 'current' do you mean homeschooling with live lessons from school, or do you mean the official non-covid system?

Current: I am monitoring my DD's inbox. If you get behind (which she is), it is incredibly stressful with all the stuff piling in.

Usual: Controlled Assessments had to go as they were so open to abuse. However the exam system I feel is unsuitable for lower achievers, especially any with SEN.
English Language GCSE isn't fit for purpose for showing comprehension and written skills - far too technical.

Current as in not current Covid situational

Introduction of a proper support and performance management framework for teachers that is routinely used. This would identify poor teaching, give them support but ultimately weed them out.

Proper development programmes and mentoring as teachers progress. The current system is based on TLRs whereby extra payments are made for every slight responsibility but no assessment of outcomes for many. When teachers do start moving into SLT roles there is an assumption they are automatically capable. They are not and many teachers in SLT positions are really really poor, especially in respect of the business side of running a school. For example finances, estates, he's,th and safety...and a biggie which has been exposed during Covid as awful IT systems with some teachers who lack even basic understanding.

My last is to review the number of teaching and working days. Teacher training days should not be taken from children's learning days which they were. Teachers should not have 13 weeks off a year. So,e of that time they should be working on developing the product and school and ensuring they are fully ready when kids return

Teacher training days should not be taken from children's learning days which they were.

No they weren't, surely? They were taken from holidays, but incorporated into term time so teachers could still take time away in their own holidays.

Teachers should not have 13 weeks off a year. Some of that time they should be working on developing the product and school and ensuring they are fully ready when kids return

They do (well an awful lot of them do). They just aren't officially paid for it. A teacher who has moved from say y2 to y6 doesn't just rock up on the first day of September with no prep. Similarly a secondary teacher doesn't just start teaching bottom set y10 without work.

Current as in normal times. Pre-covid.

No one's worried about the focus on exam grades and teaching to the test?

Sky Go to the Home Ed boards. There will be loads of people there worried about focus on exam grades & teaching to the test I reckon.

It's not ideal, especially English Language. But it is what we are used to. I'm not going to expend effort worrying about it when I can't change it.

I would have liked some more BTEC type options for GCSE level. these seemed to go with the 'new GCSEs'

It would be interesting to know how other countries 'gatekeep' their higher education. I know the USA has their SATs, but gleaning from films the kids still have to have a lot of knowledge to score high, so it is still a test where info has to be learned for it.

My DD10 used a local tutoring school to prepare her for an 11+ exam (she did two, which had different formats). She was doing well at school but I wanted her to access specific content and exam technique. When lockdown hit they took the lessons online and even did a few for free during the Easter holidays. They made no bones about teaching to the test but the learning will be useful in year 6 and beyond. Some of the content has appeared in my DS’s Year 9 maths! She was always buzzing when she came out. Anyway, it did the trick and she’ll have a place at the grammar school. There was a very high number of passes from the tutoring school as they are very successful at what they do.