Tutoring for primary school children - is this necessary?

[millie42]

Having watched the programme last night on the secondary school application system in Birmingham, was wondering whether the system is so competitive here. I am sure it is. Do people really get their primary school children tutored and if so from what ages?

As mum of two boys who I suspect may be more interested in climbing trees than school work this feels me with horror!

Any info welcome.

Millie

[womanofdulwich]

HUGE amount of tutoring goes on - some people very coy about it - bit like being an alcoholic!

All depends on where you live and what secondary you will get into - or fight your way into. ESp if you want private at secondary where the gap between private and state can be wide- or grammer/ selective.

[Pam50]

Tutoring isn't always for those reasons however. Sometimes children just need a bit of individual support to catch up with learning, especially if they are very young or have had speech and hearing problems. I have taught big classes of 30+ for many, many years and know only too well how difficult it is to meet every child's needs.

Now, as a tutor, I have the sheer luxury of dedicated time and the pedagogical freedom to teach what works, rather than what is dictated by the latest government directive. It is very satisfying to watch how a child's confidence grows when learning starts to make sense!

[randomv]

A friend of mine in another area of London was shocked to learn that 26 out of the 28 children in her 6 year olds class have private tuition. It's already an independent school!

I think some parents go down the tutoring route to try and get their children into grammar schools and avoid paying for private secondary. The 'problem' being that state primary school children are not taught to pass the 11 plus whereas they often are at independents (although shockingly not the one I mentioned above it would appear!)

[womanofdulwich]

I agree Pam, at one time parents would have done much of of what you speak about -but for what ever reason this is often out sourced now. Some parents no longer have the confidence/time to so what they used to do naturally- see it in everything though - tennis- sewing- cooking.

[millie42]

All sounds very complicated. Pam - What ages do children usually start having them? Any ideas?

Millie

[sillywoman]

At the primary my kids were at I was shocked to realise that a significant proportion of their peers ( about 40-50% at an estimate) were tutored fairly rigorously from the end of year 4 (age 9-10) with the sole purpose of getting a place at the local independent schools. Makes something of a mockery of their selection processes really.

[ClareC]

I grew up in Kent so did the 11 plus and was fortunate to gain a place at the local Grammar School. A few kids had tutors even all those years ago, only seemed beneficial if the kid was borderline. The teachers knew very early on who the definite passes/fails were.

Us state school kids still competed with the private school kids - a lot of people paid for private infant / junior school to maximise the chance of passing the 11 plus, and then having a state Grammar place.

[Pam50]

Well Millie...they can start as young as you like...here's one from this week's Private Eye!!;-)

[millie42]

What a mare - I am hoping to delay this for as long as possible in hope that they can just be kids for a while.

Many thanks for all the responses!

M

[tiddles]

oh what flippin nonsense, let them learn at their own pace = top things up if absolutely necessary around 9 or 10 but before that - pleeeeeeeease!!! Children learn and develope at different stages and readiness to learn is absolutely key. Rather like trying to get a toddler to ride a two wheeler before they are ready = yes some can, but it often comes naturally a little later on!! gosh this makes me so cross.

[Pam50]

Yes Tiddles, in principle, the ideal pedagogy would be to watch, wait and give extra time to those children who just need a little longer to absorb the learning. However, we have a school system which puts enormous pressure on children attaining prescribed levels of attainment well before they are '9 or 10.' Schools, teachers and children are graded according to how well they all follow this model of education.

Sadly too, children who do not manage to 'keep up,' may lose confidence and some will develop behavioural problems if they are not given support at the right times. There is now a global body of evidence supporting the value of early intervention in education. School budgets are being cut and help is rationed. Parents may choose to buy extra support themselves, in the same way they pay for hobbies, sports, music etc and other enhancements to their child's development.