Working together: teachers and tutors supporting students
Having spent many years in the classroom myself, I hold deep respect for teachers. Teaching is a demanding job that requires creativity, patience and a commitment to every child. I know first hand how much energy and care goes into planning lessons and keeping students motivated day after day. Teachers are constantly balancing the needs of thirty plus individuals while also keeping to a packed curriculum and managing the day to day challenges of school life.
One of the biggest difficulties teachers face is time. Every lesson has to move at a steady pace to ensure that the whole curriculum is covered. This means that, despite best efforts, not every student will be able to pause, ask questions or practise until the learning has really sunk in. Some children need just a little more space and time to process information or revisit ideas before they feel secure. Teachers want to provide this, but the reality is that the structure of school does not always allow for it.
This is where tutoring can make a real difference and can serve to complement the fantastic work being done in schools. Tuition is not about replacing what happens in school but about working alongside it. In a small group or one to one setting, children are able to slow down, talk through their thinking and have support that is completely tailored to their needs. For some students, this means going back over the foundations so that they have a stronger base to build on. For others, it is about being stretched and challenged beyond the lesson so that they keep their love of learning alive.
Tutoring also provides the chance to practise without pressure. In a classroom, children can sometimes feel worried about asking for help or making a mistake in front of their peers. In tuition, there is more space to try things out, to build confidence step by step and to realise that mistakes are part of the learning process. Over time, this has a huge impact on their resilience and willingness to keep going when work becomes more difficult.
The real power comes when tutors and teachers work together. A tutor who understands the methods being used in school can provide consistency, so that children do not become confused by different approaches. Communication between tutor and teacher, if possible, means that tuition can focus exactly where it is needed most; whether that is supporting a child with core skills in maths or helping them to find their voice in English.
I often think of tutoring as a bridge. On one side is the classroom, filled with opportunities, discussions and shared learning. On the other side is the individual child, with their unique way of processing and applying knowledge. Tuition is the link that connects the two. It takes the learning that happens in school and gives children the chance to make it their own.
There is also a wider benefit. When children feel supported both in and out of school, they begin to see themselves as capable learners. This shift in mindset is powerful. It means they are more likely to engage in lessons, contribute in class and take risks with their learning. Over a period of time using this approach, this confidence can change the trajectory of their education.
At the heart of both teaching and tutoring is the same aim: helping children to thrive. By respecting and valuing each other’s roles, teachers and tutors can ensure that students get the best of both worlds. I have seen first hand how effective this partnership can be, and I believe it is one of the strongest ways to support young people on their learning journey.
