Private tutoring is damaging to children'

July 02 2009

Tutoring children in private and out-of-school hours could be damaging, it has been claimed.

Writing in the Times, Alice Thompson has claimed it leads to young people losing their private time, in which they could also be playing sport.

Her comments follow the government's proposals to reform the provision of education in the UK and increase the amount of one-to-one tutoring.

The Sutton Trust claims 43 per cent of 11 to 16-year-olds at state schools in London are getting extra lessons through private tutors.

Chairman Sir Peter Lampl said it is "staggering" that so many are taking extra lessons.

Should the recession continue, it is possible more parents will opt to have their children in state education but then pay for additional tutoring, he commented.

Sir Peter also noted that with fees of £30 an hour or more, "this is simply not an option for many families".

Teaching outside London, teachers will find there is less evidence of private tutoring, the Sutton Trust's research suggests.

It found tutoring is most prevalent in the capital and the south-east.

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