Small Group Tuition

1:1 Tuition

What is it?

Sessions normally provided by specialist companies, schools or tutoring agencies. Class size and approach varies significantly.

Sessions provided by individual tutor, either face to face or online. Services offered vary significantly, particularly online vs face to face.

Accessibility

Generally scheduled to reflect student free time, either after school or school holidays. Some providers offer residential option to increase accessibility.

Generally scheduled to accommodate family schedules, including after school hours. Tutor will often come to student’s home. Online tuition may be affected by broadband reliability.

Tuition tailoring

Varies depending on provider – only a small number tailor courses to the needs of individual students or offer flexibility on course content.

Enables maximum tailoring, subject to skills and approach of tutor. Ability to tailor online tuition varies between providers.

Personal interaction

Depending on group size, can offer personalised teaching and focus. Enables peer learning and support.

Offers personalised teaching and focus, subject to the tutor’s ability to build good student relationship.

Social/peer learning

Group work/learning is fundamental to this approach, making learning more fun, building camaraderie and increasing student motivation.

None

Learning environment

Offer lively, stimulating atmosphere. Sessions normally held in class rooms with good facilities, away from distractions.

Normally in home of tutor or student. Tutors normally look for quiet area and “ban” mobiles/social media.

Learning effectiveness

Can be excellent depending on group size and tutor. Small groups enable tutors to tailor their approach and give personalised help to individuals. Enables extra learning via group interaction. Less intense and more varied, enabling students to remain focused for longer.

Varies but can be excellent – depends on quality and skills of tutor. Students may struggle to maintain concentration as sessions can be intense.

Tutor Quality

Generally good as tutors usually full-time workers, committed to teaching. The best providers publish tutor selection criteria and have good track record/reviews.

Highly variable. In absence of recommendation, difficult to assess tutor capabilities prior to starting.

Affordability/Value for Money

Similar or less than a 1:1 tutor. Value for money generally good for provider with established track record.

Varies significantly by area but tends to be most expensive option. Value for money variable depending on above factors.