1 2 1 tuition v classroom tuition for 11+

[confusedinlondon]

Hello, does anyone have any opinions regarding 1 2 1 v group tuition. I have booked my son for group tuition with a local tuition company but I am having second thoughts.

What is he having tutoring in?

I am signing my son for 1:2 tutoring which I feel is a good balance. Enough dedicated time but with 1:1 it can be too intense the tutee feeling too pressurised and feeling that they are being watched over their shoulder all the time. It does depend on the confidence level though.

I suppose it depends on group size and your child's particular needs and gaps. If there are big gaps then maybe 1 to 1 better but if they just need general 11 + practice then group is ok. You could ask the group tutor if they are noticing any gaps then you could work on these at home.

It is for the 11 plus

a smaller group would be ideal. 1 to 4 but I cannot find these.
I also think he will benefit from mixing with some other kids his age. He is pretty shy and I think having some kids his age to talk to would help him. Maybe I am making too much of this.

there will be 14 kids, with 1 teach and 1 to 2 classroom assistants.

We used a classroom type setting. There was lots of practice of the types of questions and exam techniques, which was very helpful. Plus the discipline of working at the speed required to get through the papers.
DD did have some big knowledge gaps as maths had been poorly taught at her primary and this setting helped, but a smaller group might have been more targeted for that. She did fine in the end and did attend the grammar school.

I tutor and I would say at that age unless they very confident a group is a better option. Less pressure, more opportunities for different learning styles using group work and a more comfortable feeling for the child that they aren't the only one having tutoring.

Hi @confusedinlondon

I offer group tuition and 1-2-1. The major benefit of group tuition is the reduced price and a chance for your son to interact with other students.

The downside is that the topics will probably be decided already, therefore making it less personalised.

In terms of pricing, I am a qualified maths teacher and charge £10/ session for group or £45/ session for 1-2-1.

I gave my dd1 the choice. She preferred 1-2-1, so that's what we did.

Was there a reason she preferred 1 2 1.
My is shy, so I am hoping a classroom setting would help with his social skills.

1:1 will obviously be far more personalized.

It depends what your child's needs are and what your goal is. If they have gaps or are at all behind the group or even paired tuition will not be very effective and won't get the result you want.

I wouldn't use 11 plus tuition as a social activity. Surely the focus is to get them through the exam?

Every single one of the best Universities and schools has some element of 1:1 tutoring because it works so well. There are lots of studies on it web.mit.edu/5.95/readings/bloom-two-sigma.pdf
We used Tayberry.org.uk for our DC and my nieces and nephews, they really enjoyed the lessons are all at grammar schools.
I think they do a discount it you have a referral - pm me if you want my name to say I recommended you

Yes of course but he might be more inclined to study and work if he sees other kids also doing additional work

One of the biggest factors in students passing the 11+ is their own motivation, so if you feel he lacks motivation and seeing others learn will make him also want to learn then possibly it's the right solution. A student who is uninterested in learning will struggle to make the progress whatever you choose, so motivation is key.

I stopped tutoring groups and now only offer 1:1 as many parents seemed to expect the same result from groups as from 1:1 (but at less than half the cost).

In a group, the learning is far less tailored and the pace tends to be based on the middle learners. Of course, a good teacher/tutor can extend the more able and support less confident learners but when parents are all paying the same amount, they cannot devote more time to certain students than others and they can't revise and teach material which doesn't suit the majority of the class.

Group tuition can work well if the student has lots of support at home and parents who are genuinely willing to give up time every week to work with their child in addition to the group lessons - that's quite a tall order and quite a commitment over the year or two years that most students spend preparing for these exams.

So, maybe consider what it is your son needs? Motivation from peers and general teaching of the material, or tailored teaching to give him confidence?