Why Private Tuition Is Becoming a Vital Part of Modern Education

Monday April 7th, 2025

As final term of the academic year is fast approaching, many students have now moved up a gear for the final push before their GCSE, IB or A-Level exams. We are helping a number of them with private tuition over the Easter holidays and I wanted to reflect here on what that means to the student receiving private tuition today.

Private tutoring has long carried the image of a luxury — a tool reserved for struggling students or those chasing entrance to grammar schools. But in 2025, that perception is outdated. According to new research from the Sutton Trust, one in five state school pupils received private tutoring in Year 11 last year — up from just 10% in 2015. Tutoring is no longer a niche supplement — it’s becoming a core part of educational success.

And for good reason.  As competition for top university places and elite sixth forms continues to intensify, families are recognising that the standard classroom model, while essential, cannot always offer the tailored support, confidence building, and subject mastery that students need to reach their full potential. Tutoring fills that gap.

Many students now have tutors for one or more subjects through their GCSE and A-level years — and the benefits go well beyond grades. One A-level student aiming for Cambridge put it simply: “It’s as much about giving me the confidence that I can do it as it is teaching me the subject.” In today’s high-pressure academic environment, that kind of support is invaluable.

Private tuition offers:
– Personalised learning, adapted to each student’s pace and style.
– Focused attention that’s difficult to achieve in even the best classrooms.
– Flexible scheduling to suit busy family life.
– And increasingly, emotional support and mentoring, especially during exam periods.

It’s not just about catching up — it’s about aiming higher.

Yes, tutoring is an investment. Leading services now charge £65–£110 per hour, and intensive holiday camps can run into the thousands. But for many families, this investment reflects a broader shift: an understanding that education is the greatest long-term gift we can offer our children. Parents who were once reluctant to seek help are now proactively building academic teams around their children — a shift not driven by pressure, but by aspiration.

It’s also worth noting that while the government’s National Tutoring Programme made strides in addressing learning loss during the pandemic, it ended in 2023. As that support disappears, families are stepping in — ensuring their children don’t fall behind, and indeed, that they thrive.

Private tutoring is not about creating pressure — it’s about creating possibility. It levels the playing field for students who need personalised support, builds lasting confidence, and helps turn potential into performance.

In a world where opportunities increasingly hinge on exam outcomes, private tuition is no longer a luxury — it’s a smart, strategic choice.

Whether your child needs a boost in one subject, full exam preparation, or long-term mentoring, Regency Education is here to support them — every step of the way.