Should We Get a Tutor?

A Parent’s Honest Checklist

Your child has a test coming up. You’re armed with snacks, colour-coded folders, and enough highlighters to paint the garage. But the big question still looms: do they need a tutor?

Let’s cut through the noise and get real. Not every student needs a tutor—and not every family wants one. But there are times when bringing in extra help can make a huge difference to your child’s confidence, progress, and sanity (yours included).

Here’s a no-fluff checklist to help you decide whether tutoring is the right step for your child.

✅ 1. They want to improve… but they don’t know how

If your child is trying but spinning their wheels (“I revised for ages but I still don’t get it!”), they may need someone to show them how to revise effectively. A good tutor can help them:

Spot their weak areas
Break down topics into bite-sized chunks
Create a plan that doesn’t involve all-nighters

✅ 2. They’re falling behind—or coasting

If the school is saying “They’re doing fine” but you suspect your child could do more, tutoring can add stretch and challenge. Equally, if your child is struggling to keep up and the pace at school doesn’t allow for revisiting old ground, a tutor can fill in those gaps without embarrassment.

✅ 3. You’re fighting over homework

Some battles aren’t worth it. If homework time ends in arguments, tears, or passive-aggressive sighing (from both sides), an outside voice can restore the peace. Kids are often more receptive to guidance when it’s not coming from Mum or Dad. No offence.

✅ 4. They’ve got a big goal—and a deadline

Whether it’s:

Getting into a competitive grammar or independent school (hello, 11+)
Aiming for top grades in GCSE English
Or simply passing that maths paper they really want to avoid…

A tutor provides structure, accountability, and targeted practice tailored to that goal.

✅ 5. They’re working hard but not seeing results

Effort is brilliant—but it needs to be smart. A tutor can:

Help students understand exam technique (which is often half the battle)
Give instant feedback on what’s working (and what isn’t)
Prevent burnout by focusing on what really matters

✅ 6. You don’t feel equipped to help

Let’s be honest: most parents didn’t revise “inference questions” or “slow writing techniques” when they were at school. If you're googling “What is a fronted adverbial?” at 9:30pm, it might be time to tag in some backup.