How Often Should My Child Have Maths Tuition?

30/07/2024 / Maths Tutoring

Mathematics is often viewed as a challenging subject for many students in the UK.  It can sometimes require  a level of understanding and application that can be difficult to achieve within the confines of a traditional classroom setting.

So many parents consider supplementary tuition to help their children improve their maths skills.

As experts in online maths tuition here at Principal Tutors, we will find out the definitive answer and explain why.

Let’s get the takeaway first before we head deeper into this subject.

How often your child has maths tuition, depends on their needs. Regular sessions, such as 1-2 times a week can address learning gaps, reinforce school material, build confidence, prepare for exams, and ensure consistent practice. This will help with a better understanding and improved performance in maths.

Now we have the short answer covered, let’s delve a little deeper.

Understanding the Need for Maths Tuition

Before finding out how frequently your child should receive maths tuition, it is important to understand why additional support may be necessary.

The UK education system, despite its strengths, often faces challenges such as large class sizes and varying levels of individual attention, which can lead to gaps in knowledge and understanding.

To add to this, maths can be a particularly intimidating subject for some students, leading to anxiety and a lack of confidence.

Maths tuition can provide targeted support tailored to your child’s specific needs, helping to address these gaps and build confidence. However, the frequency of these sessions can vary depending on several factors, including the child’s current level of understanding, their goals, and the availability of resources.

Factors Influencing the Frequency of Tuition

Let’s explore some of the key situations when considering maths tuition onlinefor your child.

1. Current Academic Performance

One of the main things to think about is your child’s current performance in maths. If they are significantly behind their peers, more frequent sessions may be necessary to catch up.

For example, a student struggling with basic concepts might benefit from two sessions each week. On the other hand, students performing at or above grade level might only need one session per week to maintain their skills and gain a deeper understanding of more complex topics.

2. Learning Style and Pace

Each child has a unique learning style and pace. Some students may grasp new concepts quickly and only need occasional support, while others may require more frequent sessions to reinforce learning.

Understanding your child’s learning style can help determine the optimal frequency of tuition. For instance, a student who needs time to understand new concepts might need regular, shorter sessions rather than infrequent, longer ones.

3. Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of the tuition also play a crucial role. If the aim is to prepare for a specific exam, such as GCSE or A-levels, the frequency of sessions may need to increase as the exam date approaches.

This could mean moving from weekly to bi-weekly or even daily sessions in the weeks leading up to the exam. On the other hand, if the goal is long-term improvement and confidence building, a steady pace of one session per week might be more appropriate for your child.

4. Availability and Scheduling

Practical considerations such as the availability of the tutor, the child’s schedule, and the family’s budget will also influence how often tuition can occur.

Balancing school commitments, extracurricular activities, and personal time is essential to avoid overwhelming the child.

Recommended Frequency for Different Age Groups

Let’s explore more about different age groups and what their needs might be.

Primary School Students (Ages 5-11)

For younger children, the emphasis should be on building a strong foundation in basic maths skills.

Hiring a maths tutor for weekly sessions is generally sufficient for primary school students. This means they can benefit from consistent support without it being overwhelming. The key is to make learning fun and engaging to build a positive attitude towards maths.

Secondary School Students (Ages 11-16)

As students progress into secondary school, the complexity of maths increases. At this point in their studies, they may need more frequent tuition.

For students in Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14), one to two weekly sessions can help reinforce classroom learning by quickly addressing any challenges.

For those in Key Stage 4 (ages 14-16), preparing for GCSE exams may require more intensive support, particularly in the lead-up to exams. Depending on the student’s needs, they may benefit from two or even three sessions per week, depending on other factors.

Sixth Form Students (Ages 16-18)

A-level maths is notably more challenging and demands a higher level of understanding and application. For sixth-form students, one to two weekly sessions are often beneficial throughout the year.

Increasing this to more sessions per week can help with intensive revision and practice in the lead-up to exams. More practice will help enforce topics students find more challenging.

Monitoring Progress

It is important to regularly review your child’s progress and adjust the frequency of tuition as needed.

Communication between the parent, student, and tutor is important. If they are  showing significant  improvement, your tutor may suggest reducing  the frequency of sessions. On the other hand, if you think your child is still struggling, it may be helpful to book more.

Regular assessments can provide valuable insights and any adjustments that might be needed.

Our qualified maths teachers at Principal Tutors will always communicate regularly with parents as part of our feedback process.

So how can we help?

Principal Tutors – Online Maths Tuition

Principal Tutors offers a unique approach to matching students with the best possible tutor based on their needs.

Our innovative approach involves an initial discussion with the parent to learn more about their child’s learning requirements where we learn more about the student’s current level, learning style, and specific goals to pair them with a tutor who can provide tailored support. This personalised approach provides your child with bespoke maths sessions  to help them succeed in their studies.

All our tutors are qualified teachers. Many of them specialise in specific areas of maths or have experience preparing students for particular exams. This means that whatever extra help your child needs, there will be a tutor who can provide the exact support required.

How Often Should My Child Have Maths Tuition? – To End On…

As we’ve found out in our latest blog, how often your child should have maths tuition depends on many different things. Their current academic performance, learning style, goals, and practical considerations will all be factors.

While younger students might benefit from weekly sessions to build a strong foundation, older students preparing for exams may require more frequent support. Ultimately, the goal is to provide consistent, targeted support that complements classroom learning and encourages independent study.

To find out more about booking a maths session for your child, request a tutor here.