Increase in private tuition hits poorer students

By Arthur Baker

Figures released by the SuttonTrust reveal that the number of middle class children receiving private tuition has dramatically increased in recent years: 31% of students from wealthy families now receive private tuition, compared with only 18% in 2005.

            Nick Bent, of the Tutor Trust (an Educational Charity based in Manchester) commented that "There is a bit of a middle class arms race going on in some areas when it comes to tuition - particularly in London". Of course, with the typical price of private tuition ranging from £22 to £40 an hour, it’s students from poorer backgrounds whose futures are damaged by this particular race.

Despite some schools using pupil premium funds to pay for tutoring for disadvantaged students, and one commercial tutoring company pledging that for every student who pays, it will give tuition to a child who can't, the fact remains that middle class students are more than twice more likely to receive extra tuition than poorer students.  As Sir Peter Lampl of the Sutton Trust points out, "Providing private tuition for them puts those children whose parents can't afford it at a disadvantage”. This is especially damaging since tuition often focuses on exam technique, rather than on improving students' knowledge and understanding of their subjects.

            Sir Peter argued that because of this, "it is so crucial that we find a successful way to ensure that the learning gap is narrowed for less advantaged children". Here at IntoUniversity, we’ve found at least part of the solution. Our QISS certified (Quality In Study Support) learning centres provide an integrated programme of after-school Academic Support, one-to-one Mentoring and, in partnership with universities and leaders from a range of professions, specially-devised study ‘FOCUS’ weeks and days. 

Our programme has been extremely successful at narrowing the learning gap for less advantaged children, with 77.1% of our year 13 students gaining a place at university in 2012. The increase in the number of children from wealthier backgrounds receiving private tuition shows that it’s more important than ever for IntoUniversity’s work to be expanded, if we are to narrow the learning gap and give children from poorer backgrounds a fair chance in life.