Does My Child Need A Tutor?

If you've been wondering whether your child might benefit from a tutor, you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions parents ask, and there's no single right answer.

In this guide, we will help you answer the question: “Does my child need a tutor?”. We will work through the pros and cons with you, so you can make a well-informed decision with your child.

Key Takeaways

• Tutoring can help with academic struggles, exam prep, confidence building, or providing extra stretch for high achievers

• Watch for signs like falling grades, homework stress, anxiety around school, or teacher feedback suggesting extra support

• Not every child needs a tutor—online resources, school interventions, and parental support can also make a real difference

• The right decision depends on your child's specific needs, their openness to support, and what help is already available

Why Parents May Consider Tutoring

Parents typically consider tutoring for several reasons. Perhaps your child's grades have started slipping in a particular subject, or they're preparing for entrance exams like the 11+ or GCSEs. Sometimes it's about rebuilding confidence after a long absence from school, or giving a high-achieving student the extra challenge they're craving.

Tutoring isn't just for struggling students. It's equally valuable for those who want to push themselves further, master exam technique, or gain an edge in competitive subject areas. The key is understanding what your child actually needs—and whether tutoring is the best way to provide it.

Signs Your Child Might Benefit From a Tutor

Academic Signs

The most obvious indicators tend to be academic. If your child is consistently falling behind in specific subjects—particularly maths, English, or sciences—this might suggest they'd benefit from targeted support. 

• Pay attention if homework is taking significantly longer than it should, or if it's causing regular stress and frustration.

• Teacher feedback is particularly valuable here. If parents' evenings or school reports mention that your child would benefit from additional help, or if teachers note gaps in understanding, it's worth taking seriously. 

• Similarly, if your child used to keep up but has recently started struggling, something has likely changed that needs addressing.

Emotional and Behavioural Signs

Academic performance doesn't tell the whole story. Often, emotional and behavioural changes signal that a child needs support.

• Watch for avoidance tactics: suddenly "forgetting" homework, making excuses to skip revision, or becoming unusually resistant to anything school-related. 

• A noticeable drop in confidence or motivation is another red flag. If your previously enthusiastic learner now says things like "I'm rubbish at maths" or "I'll never understand this," they're telling you something important.

• Anxiety before lessons or tests is incredibly common (opens in a new tab). While some nerves are normal, excessive worry, physical symptoms like stomach aches, or genuine distress suggests your child isn't coping well with academic pressure.

We have an exam anxiety relief kit and a guide to how to overcome fear of failure to help you overcome some of these obstacles.

External Triggers

Sometimes tutoring becomes helpful because of external changes rather than ongoing struggles.

• Transitioning between key stages—moving from primary to secondary school, or from Year 9 into GCSE courses—can be challenging. The jump in expectations catches many students off guard, and targeted support during these transitions can make a real difference.

• Approaching major exams is another common trigger. Whether it's 11+ entrance exams, GCSEs, or A Levels, the pressure ramps up considerably. 

Even capable students sometimes need help with exam technique, time management, or simply covering the content efficiently.

Does Age or Stage Matter?

Tutoring needs vary significantly depending on your child's age and educational stage.

Primary (KS1–KS2)

In primary school, tutoring typically focuses on building strong foundations in reading, writing, and numeracy. If your child is struggling with phonics, basic maths concepts, or reading comprehension, early intervention can prevent these gaps from widening.

That said, be cautious about over-tutoring young children. Primary-aged children benefit most from play-based learning, confidence-building, and developing a positive attitude towards education. 

If you're considering tutoring, keep sessions short, engaging, and focused on making learning enjoyable rather than purely results-driven.

Secondary (KS3–GCSE)

This is when tutoring starts to become more common—and often more necessary. The curriculum becomes more demanding. Subject-specific knowledge requirements deepen considerably.

Students preparing for GCSEs often benefit from tutors who can help with exam technique, essay structure, problem-solving strategies, and revision planning. If your child is taking IGCSEs or studying multiple exam boards, a tutor familiar with their specifications can be invaluable.

This age group also benefits from developing proper study skills. A good tutor won't just teach content—they'll help your child learn how to learn independently.

Sixth Form (A Level/IB)

At A Level or IB level, tutoring becomes even more specialised. Students are tackling near university-level content and preparing for competitive university applications.

Tutors at this stage often provide stretch and challenge beyond what's covered in the classroom, help with exam technique for high-grade questions, and support with extended essays or coursework. 

For students eyeing top universities, a subject specialist tutor can provide the depth of knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to stand out. 

“I have played this role for hundreds of students over the last decade and a half as a private Biology tutor. I’ve helped them to go well beyond the syllabus to build their knowledge and discover which areas really excite them. This means that their university applications have real expertise and passion behind them, which leads to great outcomes.”  - Dr. Natalie Lawrence

What Types of Tutoring Are Available?

Understanding your options helps you choose the right support for your child.

• One-to-one versus group tutoring: Individual tutoring offers personalised attention and lessons tailored exactly to your child's needs. It's ideal for addressing specific gaps or working at your child's own pace. Group tutoring is more affordable and can create a supportive peer environment, though it's less personalised.

• In-person versus online: In-person tutoring works well for younger children or those who struggle with screen time. Online tutoring offers greater flexibility in busy schedules. It also gives you access to highly specialist tutors, regardless of location. Many students thrive with online learning, particularly teenagers who are comfortable with technology.

• Specialist subject versus general academic support: Some tutors specialise in specific subjects (like GCSE maths or A Level chemistry), whilst others provide broader academic support. Choose based on whether your child needs help across multiple areas or targeted support in one subject.

Alternatives to Tutoring

Before committing to tutoring, consider whether other forms of support might work just as well:

School-based interventions: Start by speaking with your child's school. Many schools offer intervention sessions, homework clubs, or extra revision classes. These are usually free and taught by teachers who know your child's learning style.

Online platforms and revision resources: For many families, combining strong online resources with parental support or school interventions provides everything needed, making expensive tutoring unnecessary. 

Platforms like Save My Exams provide comprehensive, expert-written content that covers exactly what students need for their specific exam board—whether that's GCSEs, IGCSEs, A Levels, IB, or other qualifications. What makes these resources particularly valuable is that they're created by experienced examiners and teachers who understand precisely what exam boards want. 

Save My Exams offers revision notes that break down tricky topics into manageable chunks, flashcards for quick recall, past papers and exam questions with smart marking to identify weak spots, and past papers to build genuine exam confidence. With diagrams, videos, expert tips, and quick summaries, students can revise in whatever way suits them best. 

Over 2 million students and teachers use Save My Exams to master what matters and boost grades already.

We also have a guide to the best studying apps for students to add to your toolkit.

Peer mentoring or study groups: Studying with friends or joining school-organised study groups can be very effective. Students often explain concepts to each other in more relatable language, and the social element keeps motivation high – with the right peer group.

Parental support and structure at home: Never underestimate what you can do. Establishing a regular homework routine, creating a quiet study space, showing interest in what they're learning, and helping them organise their time can make an enormous difference.

Our time management tips for students, guide to developing lasting study habits, productivity tips and other guidance in our Learning Hub will give you plenty of ideas to help you support your child fully. 

How to Decide: A Parent's Checklist

Still unsure? Ask yourself these questions:

• Is my child struggling in a specific subject? If yes, and the struggle is ongoing despite their efforts, tutoring might help.

• Is school support available and effective? Always explore free school support first. If it exists and works, you may not need a tutor.

• Have I noticed changes in confidence or attitude? Emotional changes often signal that academic support is needed.

• Is my child open to extra support? Tutoring only works if your child is willing. Forcing unwilling children into tutoring rarely ends well.

• What's the specific goal? Be clear about what you want to achieve—catching up, exam prep, confidence building, or stretch and challenge.

• Have we tried other solutions first? Online resources, school support, or changes at home might resolve the issue without tutoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age should a child start tutoring?

There's no magic age, but younger isn't always better. For primary-aged children, only consider tutoring if there are genuine learning difficulties or significant gaps affecting their progress. Most children under 11 benefit more from reading together, playing educational games, and building confidence than formal tutoring.

Secondary school is when tutoring becomes more common and beneficial, particularly from GCSE onwards. However, the right time depends entirely on your child's individual needs rather than their age.

How do I know if tutoring is helping?

Look for both academic and emotional improvements. Are grades improving? Is homework becoming less stressful? Is your child more confident about the subject?

Regular communication with the tutor is essential. They should provide feedback on progress, identify remaining challenges, and adjust their approach accordingly. If you're not seeing improvement after several weeks, it's worth discussing whether the tutoring arrangement is working.

Is tutoring only for struggling students?

Absolutely not. High-achieving students often benefit enormously from tutoring that stretches them beyond the standard curriculum, helps with Oxbridge preparation, or provides challenges in areas they're passionate about.

Tutoring serves many purposes: catching up, keeping up, getting ahead, exam preparation, and pursuing interests in greater depth. It's a tool for any student who wants to improve their learning.

Should I tell my child why they're getting a tutor?

Yes, always be honest and positive. Frame it as support rather than punishment or a sign of failure.

Focus on the benefits: "We've found someone who can help make maths easier and less stressful," or "This tutor will help you prepare properly for your exams so you feel confident." Avoid language that suggests they're not good enough. Instead, emphasise that everyone needs help sometimes, and that getting support is a smart, proactive choice.

Final Thoughts

Deciding whether your child needs a tutor isn't always straightforward, and that's completely normal. Tutoring can be incredibly helpful when it's tailored to your child's specific needs, delivered at the right time, and combined with their own motivation to improve.

But it's not the only solution—and it's not always necessary. Strong online resources such as Save My Exams, effective school support, and your involvement at home can achieve remarkable results without the expense of private tutoring. 

Whatever you decide, remember that you know your child best. Trust your instincts, stay involved, and focus on what will genuinely help them thrive—not just in exams, but in developing confidence, resilience, as well as a genuine love of learning.

References

• Huge number of GCSE pupils suffering from ‘exam anxiety’ (opens in a new tab)