1. PROFILE
Steps to success
Realising the potential of all children…
R
ecord figures for exam results from. For the personalisation of with qualifications and competency,
suggest that today’s youth are learning to be effective, it needs to and also to provide tutors with further
smarter, more conscientious be accompanied by smaller numbers training opportunities to deliver the
and focused than their predecessors. or groups of similar ability. Lower different elements desired of a 21st
Yet, a decade into the new millennium parental aspirations have also been Century tutor.
disparity still remains at the heart of seen to correlate with lower achieve-
educational attainment amongst ment. Although teachers can play a Life’s successes hinge on good
school children. This further stresses role in tackling these low aspirations, academic qualifications, strong
the need for educational systems to with an already burdening workload it social abilities and a set of key and
evolve in their delivery of effective is questionable whether teachers will transferable skills. These factors build
teaching practices and programmes have the time to also provide advice confidence for an independent life
within schools. The recent DSCF white within a mentorship capacity. after school through instilling lifelong
paper on building a 21st Century learning strategies and the strong
Socioeconomic factors and low discipline necessary for self-sufficient
school system goes a long way in
parental aspirations also affect the
highlighting the steps required to bring study. The logistics of how tuition
distribution of tuition services.
about this change, emphasising above services on the ground could play a
However, private personal tuition plays
all the need for a holistic approach. greater role in achieving these aspira-
an important, if unseen, role in helping
Meeting the societal requirements tions may entail local collaborations
some students to achieve exam
and bridging the gap between high between schools and tutorial agencies
success and has the potential to play
and low achievers will be a gradual or a more centralised association of
a much greater role. In many respects,
and continual process. However, tutors that is held accountable for
it is better to supply pupils with a well-
sustaining that change effectively its success or failures. Budgets for
equipped, fresh and motivated tutor
and efficiently poses its own chal- schools and their technological
rather than an exhausted teacher who
lenges and dilemmas. enhancements must also improve
has already worked a full day. This is
The onus lies upon key players in particularly important when the aim of and as many teachers as possible
education at all levels, public and the tuition is to get students back on must be lured back to teaching with
private, to provide pupils with the track and on par with their peers. a real increase in pay incentives and
support they need in order to set support. The transformation of schools
A model consistently used by to meet the white paper’s challenges
the wheels of change in motion.
ourselves is the incorporation of
The new Pupil Guarantee in the and to realise the potential of all chil-
study skills, aptitude and mentoring
government’s white paper has dren to succeed through achievement
within our academic tuition sessions.
proposed that each child should and discipline remains critical.
During a typical session the tutor
have a personal tutor, recognising
provides the academic help required
the value of personalised support.
to boost performance whilst incorpo-
The government’s plans to provide rating a different study technique
extra tuition for struggling students every lesson to build on the student’s
are welcomed even though this is to repertoire of skills. They also provide
be piloted only in Maths and English. mentorship, guidance, motivation, Hamid Hashemi
Once pupils are directed on the right and career advice within the lesson. Managing Director
path they are more likely to follow it Mayfair Tutors
The tutoring business is a fairly
and most need just an extra push in 23 Berkeley Square
unregulated profession. Concerns are
the right direction that will hopefully London W1J 6HE
also raised amongst many about the
rub off onto other areas. Tel: +44 (0)20 7665 6606
competency of tutors and there is no
However, teachers in schools are doubt that they must be carefully Fax: +44 (0)20 7665 6650
faced with students of mixed abilities, selected. We are working on an www.mayfairtutors.com
making it difficult to teach the class at Association of Tutors as an umbrella
the level that everyone can benefit organisation to address the issues
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