Once you have made the decision to enlist the assistance of a professional to help your child prepare for the 11+, the next decision is what type of tuition you want them to receive. Would your child function best in a one-to-one environment, or would they be better suited to a group based service?
Outlined below are some of the pros and cons of each. After reading this, you will hopefully have a clearer picture of the best option for your child.
One-to-one tuition
Advantages
· Individually tailored tuition: The obvious advantage of one-to-one tuition is that the tuition is specifically tailored to your child. The tutor should plan lessons which work on your child’s areas for improvement, thus helping them progress at a faster rate.
· Flexibility: With one-to-one tuition you can often select a time and day to suit you (as long as the tutor can also do these times). This flexibility allows parents to fit tuition in around other commitments that they, or their child, may have.
· Location: Often tutors will be willing to travel to your house to do 11+ tuition. This means that you do not need to worry about ferrying your child across town for their tuition.
Disadvantages
· Cost: Most one-to-one tutors work out a lot more expensive than group based tuition. The tutor needs to factor in their time and resources of tutoring one child into the price. Plus some even charge for travelling to-and-from your house (if you opt for tuition at your home).
· Socialising: Your child will not get to socialise with like-minded individuals. Pupils often share ideas during tuition classes, and this option is not possible with one-to-one tuition. Pupils will miss out on the opportunity to meet pupils who they may see at a Grammar school in year 7.
Group based tuition
Advantages
· Cost: group based tuition often works out cheaper than one-to-one tuition. The reason for this is that the tutor can have more pupils at the same time, thus bringing the cost down for parents.
· Quality of teaching: Although not always true, group based tuition tends to have more experienced teacher leading the classes. Many people starting out a career in tuition begin by offering one-to-one tuition. Once they gain experience and more confidence in their abilities as a tutor they feel they can take on more pupils at once. These tutors tend to be more knowledgeable and experienced.
· Socialising: Your child will get the opportunity to meet like-minded pupils who are working together towards the same goal. They will be able to share ideas and concepts, and help each other to achieve the correct answer. You will also get to meet parents who have a similar outlook on the education of their children.
Disadvantages
· One size fits all: An incorrect perception some people have is that 11+ tuition in groups is the same pupils doing the same things. This is not always true, or it should not be true of a good tuition company. There are questions which pupils will practice in lessons, and these are generally of the same standard (11+ level), however a good tutor will be able to differentiate work as and when needed. That being said, there are obviously more opportunities for specifically targeted tuition in one-to-one tuition.
· Flexibility: Most group based tuition is on specific days and times, and if your schedule does not fit around these days then it can be tough to find a company which does.
· Location: Tuition is normally at the tutor’s house, or at a hired venue. This can be comforting for parents as it means their child is with others in a safe location, with insurances. However, some parents would need to travel quite far for drop-off and pick-up.
For more information about how we could help your child as they prepare to take the 11+ please visit our website at www.headstart11plus.co.uk or contact us at headstart11plus@yahoo.com