Do parents lack faith in the British education system?

Nearly a quarter of state school pupils in England and Wales, aged 11 – 16, have regular private tuition. Further findings from the Sutton Trust show there is almost a 20% increase on the figures from 2005.

So, is it just good parenting to get your child a tutor? Or does it represent a lack of faith in the British education system?

Many would claim the rise of the private tuition industry is a sign our schools are failing and that parents are being forced to bail out a failing education system. How would you feel if, after visiting your GP, it was suggested you employ a private doctor to see you on a weekly basis, in order to supplement your healthcare. This may be a strange comparison; but perhaps the state school system, like the health system, should be able to fulfil its purpose unaided.

According to the Independent School Council, Private School fees have increased more than 40% since 2007. So, while many parents might not be able afford annual private school fees, they may be able to cover the expense of focused periods of tuition, which centre on the specific areas that their child is struggling with.

While some pupils may just need extra help in one subject before an exam, other pupils are having help with all their lessons, throughout their entire time at school. This makes for an interesting juxtaposition between state and, effectively, out of hours private education.

It may come as no surprise that maths is the most demanded subject for private tuition. “More than 25% of all our tuition requests are for maths,” Mark Smith, the managing director of Tutor Hunt has stated. “While English is the second most popular subject, accounting for 15% of all tutors booked through Tutor Hunt in 2014”

The entire tuition industry has been seized by numerous companies during the last decade. Only a short time ago, if you were looking for a private tutor, you might have found yourself looking at personal adverts written in biro, stuck up on the windows of high street shops. Things have changed since then, and the online tuition market is now a multimillion pound industry. Tutors can sign up to an online agency, and create a detailed profile, showcasing their tuition credentials, along with their qualifications, references, and teaching methods.

Whether or not private tuition will further widen the gap between those who can afford to pay for their children’s education, and those who cannot, what is certain is that the online tuition industry has recently flourished. Many parents will now have to decide the maximum hourly rate they are willing to pay for their children’s education.