Many parents question whether to support their child’s learning through private tuition.
There is, of course, a price attached – one that requires a financial commitment. There’s also the endless debate surrounding the “ethics” of private tuition. Some consider it “elitist”. Others bemoan the failure of the school system which has contributed to the exponential growth of the tuition industry in recent years. Educators and parents alike raise concerns about whether private tuition simply “spoon-feeds” pupils criticising the enterprise for producing over-reliant pupils hooked on 1-2-1 support and unable to develop essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
The debate will no doubt endure. Yet, having spent eight years in the classroom working across the state and independent sector, I have not yet discovered a more powerful way to support pupils to thrive.
Below you will find 8 reasons for choosing to engage one of Aquinas’ private tutors:
With class sizes ever growing in both the state and private sectors, the classroom is a busy environment and teachers are time-poor. Providing every pupil with tailored support is unrealistic in the modern classroom, even for the committed teacher. The beauty of the 1-2-1 environment is that it is the only space in which both educator and pupil can collaborate to address specific learning requirements, set goals, and continually measure progress. For the pupil, tuition sessions offer them the opportunity to request specific and targeted support in a low-stress, low-distraction environment. The tutor benefits as they have the space and time to truly get to know their pupils’ individual needs and goals allowing them to adapt pedagogy and create resources that will genuinely assist progress.
Tutors at Aquinas are specialists in their fields. Holding degrees and teaching qualifications from some of the UK’s top universities, our tutors are truly passionate about their subject. Our belief is that, while it’s essential to help pupils succeed in assessments and examinations, private tuition is as much about nurturing an interest in the subject. Often, pupils come to us for assistance in a subject they are struggling with and intimidated by. Helping these pupils to develop at least a liking, if not a love, for the subject is of paramount importance to us. This is why we only hire subject specialists with a strong academic background who are committed to sharing their enthusiasm and subject expertise with pupils.
Learning isn’t just about knowledge retention, it’s about developing study skills that aren’t always explicitly taught in school. Because the 1-2-1 environment is time-rich, Aquinas can also help your child develop core study skills. Time-management, note-taking, self-assessment strategies, approaches to reading, critical thinking and test preparation are skills that your child will need throughout life. Investing in private tuition isn’t just about improving your child’s subject knowledge or exam technique, it’s about providing them with the skills to succeed beyond the classroom.
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of private tuition is the confidence it can instill. Working 1-2-1 with your child allows tutors to identify progress and celebrate this every lesson. We have found that our pupils continually thrive when given frequent positive feedback alongside targeted areas for improvement. Because celebrating progress is central to what we do at Aquinas we have embedded it within our tuition strategy by incorporating both end-of-lesson reviews – where pupil and tutor discuss progress and next-steps – and monthly reports providing formal written feedback.
Flexible learning is at the heart of private tuition and empowers pupils with choice and control over how, what, when and where they learn. By offering pupils a chance to discover study methods that suit their individual needs, pace and goals, the flexible learning model removes barriers and thus improves engagement and delivery. While many pupils request online-only tuition sessions due to the wealth of resources now available in the online learning space, Aquinas can, depending on location, offer hybrid or in-person support. Essentially, flexible learning focuses on learner autonomy and provides pupils with an opportunity to discover learning methods that work for them in the pursuit of their goals.
SEN learners often require additional support beyond the classroom. Private tuition offers these learners a space where their needs are met and the pace of learning, resources and pedagogical approaches applied can be adapted to their individual support needs. During your free consultation call, we will ascertain what your child’s special educational needs are and these will be shared with their tutor so they can adapt their teaching style and materials to match the needs of your child. Our tutors have a wealth of experience with SEN learning strategies and work hard to create supportive and positive learning environments for all learners.
A common reason pupils seek private tuition is to alleviate test anxiety and help boost confidence when preparing for exams. The examination years are stressful for the vast majority of pupils and offering them the opportunity to work with a specialist who can provide targeted support for specific subjects and exam boards is a powerful way to reduce pupil stress and anxiety. Our tutors can also offer advice on revision strategies and time-management. Alongside 1-2-1 support, Aquinas also offers a past paper marking service and group revisions sessions during holidays and study leave.
While many pupils seek further support in subjects they find challenging, private tuition also offers provision for pupils seeking enrichment and challenge. Your child may be a passionate writer, a keen mathematician, an aspiring scientist or an enthusiastic linguist. If so, we can match your child with a tutor who can create schemes of work and lesson materials focused on nurturing their passion. We also run a range of enrichment courses over the summer holidays.
We know that private tuition is a financial commitment. At Aquinas, we have sought to offer our clients affordable prices for a comprehensive package. Prices for private tuition across the country are high with starting prices ranging from anywhere between £80 & £100 in London. At Aquinas, our prices start at £72 p/h and include:
Ultimately, the decision to invest in private tuition is a personal one, shaped by a child’s individual needs, aspirations and circumstances. Debates will undoubtedly continue, but what remains clear is the profound impact that high-quality, personalised support can have on a pupil’s academic progress, confidence and long-term development. When delivered professionally, with care and purpose, private tuition does not replace classroom learning; it complements it—bridging gaps, nurturing curiosity and equipping pupils with the skills they need to succeed independently.
At Aquinas, our philosophy hinges upon the belief that the bespoke nature of private tuition empowers pupils to exceed their own expectations. Private tuition isn’t just “spoon-feeding”, it is an investment in a child’s future, both in and beyond the classroom.