Private Tuition Is an Unregulated Industry
Private tuition is an unregulated industry, so parents should take care when choosing a provider. The 11+ tuition market has grown considerably, and there are now many different types of providers. These range from independent specialists to large tuition centres with multiple classes, tutors and assistants. Larger classes and a high number of students may form part of a perfectly legitimate business model, but as a parent your priorities are different. Your primary concern should be whether the programme is genuinely appropriate for your child. The 11+ examination presents a significant opportunity and, importantly, it only comes around once. Time spent on unsuitable or ineffective preparation cannot be recovered. The responsibility for researching your options therefore ultimately rests with you.
Put Your Child First
Every parent wants the best for their child. Good intentions, however, are only the starting point. You need to understand what to look for in a tuition provider and what questions to ask before making a commitment. If you are specifically preparing for the 11+, consider whether the provider is genuinely an 11+ specialist. Ask yourself:
Who will actually teach my child?
How many children will be in the class?
Will my child receive individual attention?
Does the tutor specialise in the 11+?
These are reasonable questions to ask before committing your child to any programme.
Look Beyond the Advertising
The 11+ is a competitive examination, and this can make the process particularly difficult for parents who are new to it. You may encounter providers offering:
How is my child's progress monitored?
How often will I receive meaningful feedback?
What happens if I decide the programme is not suitable?
Am I being asked to commit before I have had an opportunity to assess the service?
You may encounter providers offering:
Free assessments
Discounts for early or bulk bookings
Open days
Limited-time offers
Claims of limited availability
Extensive testimonials
Published pass rates
Be Careful With Long-Term Commitments
Do not feel pressured into making a decision simply because a provider says an offer is available for a limited time or that only one place remains. Take time to read the terms before agreeing to anything. If you are asked to pay in advance, establish:
Whether there is a trial period
What happens if you decide to leave
Whether payments are refundable
Whether there is a notice period
Whether there are cancellation or exit fees
What happens if the tuition is not suitable for your child
A tuition provider should be able to explain these terms clearly before you commit. Your options should be understood before you make a payment, rather than after you discover that the programme is not working for your child.
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