The Rise of Private Tutoring: Why Half of UK Secondary Pupils Now Have a Tutor

Private tutoring in the UK has expanded dramatically. Estimates suggest approximately 48% of secondary school pupils have received private tuition at some point — up from around 25% a decade ago. The tutoring industry is now worth over £6 billion per year in the UK. Understanding why this has happened and what it means for families at all income levels is important for anyone involved in a young person's education.

Why Tutoring Has Grown

Several converging factors have driven tutoring growth. COVID school closures created a generation of students with identifiable learning gaps that parents sought to address through private provision. The growing significance of the GCSE grade 5 strong pass threshold has increased parental focus on grades. The rise of online tutoring has dramatically reduced cost and logistical barriers — a well-qualified specialist available at £30–45 per hour online versus £60–80 per hour in person. And increased parental awareness of the link between grades and life outcomes has raised the perceived stakes of academic performance.

The Sutton Trust's research identifies a significant socioeconomic dimension: 55% of pupils from the highest income quintile have been tutored, compared to 27% from the lowest. This gap matters because tutoring, if effective, can contribute to the attainment gap rather than reducing it — a factor that has implications for education policy and for programmes like the National Tutoring Programme.

What the Evidence Says Tutoring Achieves

The EEF's review of one-to-one and small-group tuition found a positive average effect of approximately five months additional progress. Tutoring is most effective when: it is targeted at specific, identified gaps; it takes place weekly or more frequently; the tutor and school are communicating about what is being covered; and the pupil does work between sessions to consolidate. Tutoring is least effective when it operates as a parallel track disconnected from school learning, when sessions are infrequent, or when the pupil uses tutor help as a substitute for independent effort.

Tutoring and the Attainment Gap

The concentration of private tutoring among higher-income families is a genuine equity concern. The National Tutoring Programme (NTP), which provided subsidised tutoring to disadvantaged pupils through schools, was the government's primary policy response. Its evaluation found mixed results — some schools implemented it effectively and saw meaningful gains; others treated it as a tick-box exercise. The EEF also has evidence on peer tutoring, which has an effect size comparable to one-to-one adult tutoring at near-zero cost.

For families exploring tutoring options, our practical guide at how to choose a tutor covers what matters. For parents wanting to understand what tutoring can realistically achieve for GCSE preparation, our article on GCSE revision that actually works sets the context. And our article on how to talk to your child about exam results is relevant context for any parent managing expectations around academic performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is getting a tutor an admission that the school is failing?

Not necessarily. Many pupils with excellent schools also benefit from targeted one-to-one support because classroom teaching cannot provide the individualised diagnosis and response that tutoring can. It is supplementary, not substitutive.

At what age should children start tutoring?

It depends on the purpose. Tutoring for specific learning gaps can be appropriate at any age. The majority of private tutoring in the UK is concentrated at Year 6 (11-plus), Year 10-11 (GCSE) and Year 12-13 (A-Level) — the key assessment transition points.

Online or in-person tutoring: which is better?

The evidence does not show a significant difference in outcomes when quality is comparable. Online tutoring has advantages: broader choice, lower cost, no travel time. For younger primary-age pupils, some benefit from in-person connection; for secondary pupils, online is generally as effective.

What is the National Tutoring Programme and is my child eligible?

The NTP provides subsidised tutoring to disadvantaged pupils through schools. Eligibility is determined by the school, typically targeting pupils who are behind expected levels or eligible for pupil premium. Ask your child's school whether NTP provision is available.