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Could Private Tutoring Be Detrimental to Your Child’s Future?
In the last ten years, the number of UK students receiving private tuition has increased from 18% to 25%, and theories vary on whether this results from stretched resources in schools or reduced trust in the school system.
Studies over the years have shown that private tuition, like the GT Scholars Programmes, can enhance a student’s performance in class. But ultimately, what works for one child doesn’t always work for another. So before following the trend, it’s essential to determine whether a private tutor could be detrimental to your child’s future.
Will private or group tuition support or discourage your child?
The biggest worry when considering after-school tuition is how it may affect your child’s relationship with their studies.
According to the Growth Mindset theory, some students have a fixed mindset where they believe their intelligence is fixed. For a student with a fixed mindset doing quite well at school, the pressure of private tuition can give the impression that they’re not good enough.
The theory states that a child who believes intelligence is learned rather than fixed will benefit more from dedication and learning. However, if a child has a fixed mindset (i.e. they believe their intelligence is set), hiring a tutor could negatively impact their academic development and self-esteem.
Of course, the right private tutor will always work to support and encourage a child’s learning. Sometimes it’s less a case of ‘Will tutoring be detrimental’ and more a matter of ‘Which tutor will be more beneficial to my child’s future?’
Will after-school tuition negatively impact other areas in your child’s life?
Another essential factor to consider is research showing the positive influence of extra-curricular activities on a student’s grade. Therefore, you should consider increasing time spent on studies of core subjects like Maths, Science and English and reducing time spent creatively outside the classroom.
There is little sense in tutoring a student to achieve entrance to a top University if they continue to need regular private tuition. Additionally, is the negative impact of a child using a tutor as a tool for their grades. Instead of as a support for their learning. Not only can this leave the child dependent on having a tutor to perform in the classroom. But it may also lead to struggles later in life.
Overall, private and group tuition benefits for a child with a growth mindset will benefit your child’s future. This is especially true if the tutoring programme you choose emphasises supporting independent learning. The tutoring programme you choose must understand the need to improve a child’s motivation to learn and their grades. The final decision should always rest with the student’s personal goals, not just those of their parents.
The GT Scholars Programme is an after-school programme that focuses on a growth mindset. The programme includes tutoring, mentoring and enrichment sessions for young people aged 11-16.
We aim to help young people achieve excellent grades, enter top universities and enter competitive careers. To register your interest in the GT Scholars Programme, visit www.gtscholars.org/register-your-interest
Katie Dawes has a BSc in Psychology from Sussex University and a background interest in motivational psychology. She writes about growth mindset, self-leadership and motivation for teens. Katie also enjoys travelling the world and runs a travel blog.
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