Does my child need a tutor? 4 signs to look out for

20th August 2025 by Anita Naik

With 30% of UK students aged 11-16 now receiving private tuition, you may be wondering if your child should join them. Here's how to tell if your child genuinely needs extra academic support from a tutor.

It's not always obvious when tutoring is needed or even warranted, but here are just some of the indicators to look out for in your child.

· Academic performance declines beyond temporary dips.

· Increasing anxiety around schoolwork, homework and exams.

· Loss of confidence and motivation in specific subjects.

· Struggles with critical transition points (SATs, entrance exams, GCSE, A-Levels, university applications).

· Having much lower outcomes than expected in exams and tests.

· Struggles with revision and exam technique.

· General lowering of confidence and change of behaviour across their life.

The reality is that private tuition among 11-16-year-olds has risen over the past ten years from 20% (2009) to nearly 30% (2019) due to several factors.

The most significant driver has been the pandemic. Post-pandemic demand for tutors is still high, with 74.3% of tutors reporting higher or the same levels of demand for their services.

The reasons for seeking tutoring have also broadened - while 52% still want help with specific tests or exams, 50% of parents now seek general schoolwork support, up from just 41% in 2010.

That said, it's never easy to know if your child would benefit from working with a tutor. If you're considering this route, here are four signs to look out for:

Sign 1: Declining academic performance

Declining academic performance doesn't mean one lower test score; what you need to look out for is a more consistent decline that shows a concerning trend.

This could be:

Two or more consecutive assessment periods showing a decline.

Year 7 or Year 10 transition difficulties.

Dropping sets or more than one grade boundary (e.g. B to D).

Previously strong subjects are showing significant weakness.

Teacher comments indicating concern.

By far the most critical indicator is your child's teachers alerting you about changes in their academic progress. If this happens, be sure to ask whether these are normal academic fluctuations or something that needs extra help.

Sign 2: Study resistance

During ages 11 - 16, it can be hard to distinguish between laziness and genuine struggle. Lack of interest involves a conscious choice to avoid tasks without much emotional impact, while genuine struggle consists of a desire to complete tasks but with underlying stress and upset. Of course, some students are naturally resistant to studying, and while this in itself could be a sign that they need extra encouragement, what you are looking for here is a behaviour change, such as:

Forgetting to do assignments, claiming work is already done, or not knowing about homework and tests.

Escalating behaviour from occasional to frequent avoidance.

Physical symptoms during homework and revision periods (headaches, stomach aches).

Impact on GCSE coursework components.

Failing to meet Year 12/13 independent study expectations for A-levels.

Warning behaviours here could be meltdowns or extra stress over homework. Or seeing that procrastination has become a daily norm, accompanied by school notifications about uncompleted assignments.

Sign 3: Loss of academic confidence and motivation

Sign three often follows on from signs one and two when previously engaged learners become disengaged due to a loss of confidence in their abilities. If this is the case, then a tutor can significantly help and motivate your child. Look out for:

Self-deprecating comments: "I'm no good at X," "I'll never get this", and "What's the point in me trying?".

Reluctance to attempt challenging work.

Announcing that they feel they will fail whatever they do.

Withdrawal from academic discussions and suggestions.

All of these signs can have a significant impact on GCSE outcomes, sixth form entry, UCAS applications and university aspirations and need to be tackled as soon as they appear.

Sign 4: Increasing anxiety around exams and assessments

The pressure on students is more intense than it's ever been. GCSE reforms have made exams more challenging, and A-level grade boundaries and university competition are high. Students are aware of this from Year 9 onwards, and it can affect even the most hardworking and stoic of students. Here's what to look out for:

Difficulty with specific skills (essay writing, exam technique, problem-solving).

Sudden behaviour problems at school, such as missing lessons or assignments.

Physical symptoms: sleep problems, appetite changes, headaches.

Elevated stress behaviours at home, particularly around high-stakes exams like GCSEs and A-levels.

Panic attacks or extreme distress before and after tests.

Catastrophising about exam results.How tutoring can help students

Recognising the above signs is a positive and proactive way of helping, as early intervention is always much more effective than crisis management.

One of the main benefits of tuition is the opportunity that sessions provide students to discuss academic concerns and explore their understanding of the content with another person. This helps with comprehension, knowledge retention, confidence, and motivation. The right tutor can also help boost self-belief and raise aspirations, which allows students to better handle stress around exams, revision and their academic abilities.

How First Tutors can help

We can put parents in control of choosing private tutors, at hourly rates you feel are appropriate. You can use our platform to arrange lessons and talk to tutors. If your tutor doesn't meet your requirements, leave feedback, and we'll connect you to another one free of charge.

1. Select your private tutorFind private tutors in everything from beginner's French to GCSE Maths or degree-level Physics. Choose from face-to-face UK tutors or online private tutoring. First Tutors take reviews from existing clients so you can choose a credible tutor with confidence.

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3. Start learningPay our one-off fee (between £9.99-£34.99, linked to tutor's rate) to connect with your private tutor and begin your lessons. No fixed-term commitments. No hourly commission. Just private tuition.