Struggling with English GCSE - AI Apps vs. Real Tutors for ADHD?

[Postnote]

Hi everyone,
I'm reaching out because I'm facing a new challenge with my younger daughter, who is taking her GCSEs this year. Unlike her older sister, who always had top grades and never needed extra help, my younger one finds English quite challenging and also has ADHD, which can complicate learning and makes me feel inadequate to help her. Our local state school, unfortunately, isn’t highly rated by Ofsted and doesn’t seem to offer the support she really needs.
I’ve been exploring different options for extra help and came across AI educational apps like Tilf or Grammarly, which are much more budget-friendly than hiring a private tutor. These apps claim to give accurate AI feedback and marking aligned with the curriculum but it all looks a little too good to be true. While this seems financially feasible, I'm concerned about whether these AI tools can offer the quality and personalised attention she might need.
Has anyone here had experience with AI apps for their kids, especially those with ADHD? How do they compare to real tutors? I’m torn between going for the AI tutor for its affordability, or stretching the budget for a real tutor if that means she gets better support.
I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences or any advice you might have!

You’d have to be mad to think that an AI app is really going to be better than a real life, qualified English tutor.

AI behaves in line with answers but teacher with child's strenghts and weaknesses.

Yes surely it’s clear that an AI app is not going to give her individual tailored support.

What you need at this stage of yr 11 is a teacher or former teacher who knows the current spec well and can help her get her best exam grade.

If cost is a concern, Zoom lessons are often cheaper and some tutors work with small groups so charge less.

I meant to add that of course AI is improving all the time and it can be a useful tool, tho students should be wary of plagiarism concerns; but hopefully it will never fully replace an actual person. At any rate it’s not there yet IMO.

my children have ADHD too, there is so much a child with ADHD needs to shine, but when it shines wow ! they need to like and engage with a person, they need novelty to keep things exciting, if they struggle to engage with something, they need to move on to the next thing to keep them hooked but come back to it later in a different, shape, size format. they need the right breaks and they need movements, they need accountability.
The ADHD brain is interest-driven, if engaged it will do wonderful things, but you need the right person and setting, you need that chemistry for the hyper-focus to happen.

A student handed me a piece of homework this week. Within the first sentence, I knew it was written by AI.
It doesn't yet know what it's doing. And what you need is a person who does.

I’d say an AI app may be useful for a child that has no issues with engaging. If she is struggling to concentrate and engage she’s prob not going to be able to take on board feedback from an app, hopefully a good tutor would amend their teaching style to fit your dd

If you want a decent tutor, unfortunately it will cost you money and they're not easy to find! AI is going to be nowhere near as good as a real person, and on-line is going to be not as good as face to face (believe me I tried to keep costs down when finding tutors for my ADHD DD, but learning face to face was best for her)

I'd look for a tutor who has actually taught English GCSE, not just someone who is good at English and is studying themselves. If someone has marked GCSE papers that's also a good sign.

Same issue but for Maths. This was a few years ago, so AI perhaps not as advanced. Had tried apps for 2 years and no real improvement in understanding or performance in exams. In fact grades were going down and DC had totally switched off to the subject.

Gritted teeth and paid out £50ph for 1-1 zoom lessons with very experienced maths teacher. Knew syllabus inside out and exactly what to focus on to achieve marks. Teacher spent a few mins chatting and joking through early part of lesson. Got DC's interest and they enjoyed the lesson, laughed and listened. They passed!!! Went up by a grade and a half in 12 lessons.

Yes, real tuition is expensive but the best value. Good luck!