Should I send my child to tuition?

Independent schooling fees can become a large investment for parents. Approximately 25% of Australian students are attending private tuition to keep up with the curriculum.  

Many primary students are seeking entry to selective or private high schools. There is also an increasing pressure for high school students to achieve high results for entry into university.

Students are increasingly attending tutoring after school or on the weekends.

Does my child need tutoring?

There are many benefits to private tutoring.

Individualised education for your child

One-on-one or smaller group tutoring may allow your child to ask questions tailored to their needs.

Students who are self-conscious may ask questions during class without being concerned of asking a ‘silly’ question in front of peers.

Tutors may also have a clearer understanding of the students struggle areas. The personalised attention enables tutors to confirm whether a student understands a concept before moving on.

Connection with their school teacher

Each teacher has a specific teaching style. A big classroom does not always provide teachers with the opportunity to gauge what works for individual students.

If your child is not adapting to the teaching style that works for the rest of the class, private tutoring may be an option.

If your child has changed schools or a teacher, they may not connect and excel in the same way as before.

A confidence boost

Independent schools have an abundance of resources and facilities for children to learn.

The specific resources and skills provided by a tutor may increase your child’s self-esteem and better their performance in the classroom.

This may be beneficial for children who are grasping the concepts at school, but lack self-esteem.

What if they are excelling at school?

Students who perform well in school may still benefit from outside tuition.

Different tuition styles may assist with your child’s behavioural and social skills. Working one-on-one or in small groups can encourage students to communicate more closely with tutors and peers.

Tutoring services may also provide advanced courses or HSC programs which can provide practice materials for higher performing students.

What should I consider?

Content of tutoring services

Outside tutoring services should never replace regular classroom teaching.

Studies demonstrate that peer tutoring is more effective when it supplements normal teaching. Tutoring services are designed to consolidate learning material from the school curriculum.

Discuss with your child and their tutor the material being taught and how it relates to the syllabus at school.

Choose a good tutor for your child

Finding a tutor that suits your child is an important factor in their learning.

Many tutoring services provide free trial lessons. Discuss with the tutoring service whether this is an option. A trial lesson may reveal whether a tutor’s teaching style is effective for your child.

Discuss the tutor’s qualifications and previous work experience with the service.

Further coaching for sports

Many independent schools have extensive sporting programs and facilities to assist student athletes.

sports. kids running. running track. kids on running track. high school sports.
Credit: Camberwell Girls Grammar School

Parents may choose to engage in private coaching outside of school for similar reasons.

Private coaching may provide an extra layer of confidence. Personalised training may provide extra support in their sporting ability.

Tips for parents who are thinking about extra tuition/coaching:

  • Discuss with your child their confidence levels in the classroom or sports field. The school facilities and peers may be sufficient. They may have a lower self-esteem for certain topics or are experiencing classroom changes and wish to engage in supplementary learning.

Choosing a school for your child can be difficult, if you wish to receive further information please see Choosing a School NSW 37 or Choosing a School VIC 34.

©2022 UMCO. All rights reserved