Is group tutoring as good as one-to-one tutoring?

Many parents assume one-to-one tutoring is always best because the tutor focuses on one child. It can be very effective. But the research is more mixed than most people expect, and the price gap is large. Here is an honest look at both.

What does the research say?

The research says both approaches work, and the gap between them is smaller than many parents think.

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), an independent charity that reviews education research for schools in England, summarises it like this:

The EEF defines small group tuition as one teacher or tutor working with two to five pupils. Its overall verdict is "moderate impact for low cost".

Is one-to-one always better?

No, not always. The EEF says studies comparing the two "show mixed results".

In its words, "in some cases one to one tuition has led to greater improvement, while in others tuition in groups of two or three has been equally or even more effective." The EEF suggests it is the type and quality of teaching that very small groups allow that matters, "rather than the precise size of the group."

The EEF also notes that, as a rule of thumb, smaller groups do better, and that "once group size increases above six or seven there is a noticeable reduction in effectiveness." So a group of four is very different from a class of twelve.

One caution: these studies are mostly about tutoring organised by schools. They are still the best summary we have, but they are not a direct test of any tutoring company, including ours.

What are the pros and cons of one-to-one tutoring?

One-to-one tutoring gives your child the tutor's full attention, but it costs more and can feel intense.

Pros

• Every minute is spent on your child's gaps.
• The pace can change from moment to moment.
• Good for very specific problems, such as one topic your child keeps getting wrong.
• Some children who are anxious about speaking in front of others feel safer.

Cons

• It costs much more per hour. In London, many private tutors charge £30–£60 an hour for GCSE (see our guide to tutor costs in East London).
• There is nobody else to learn from, compare with or explain things to.
• Some children rely on the tutor too much and do less thinking on their own.
• If you hire a private tutor, you need to do the safety checks yourself. Our safe tutor checklist helps.

What are the pros and cons of small-group tutoring?

Small-group tutoring is cheaper and more social, but your child shares the tutor's time.

Pros

• Much lower cost per lesson, so many families can afford more lessons each week.
• Children hear other students' questions, which often fill gaps they did not know they had.
• Explaining a method to a classmate is one of the best ways to learn it.
• A bit of friendly pressure from peers helps some children stay on track.

Cons

• The tutor's attention is shared, so a very quiet child may need encouraging to ask questions.
• The group moves at a shared pace. If your child is far ahead or far behind the others, it works less well.
• Fixed times are less flexible than a private tutor who comes to you.
• Quality depends on how the group is planned. A group of five working on different worksheets is not the same as a taught lesson.

Which children do better in each setting?

The best choice depends on your child, their goal and your budget.

The EEF also finds frequency matters. For small groups, "frequent sessions, three times a week or so, lasting up to an hour over about 10 weeks typically show the greatest impact." For many families, two or three small-group lessons a week cost less than one private hour.

What makes any tutoring work?

Good tutoring is targeted, linked to schoolwork and checked regularly, whatever the group size.

The EEF's advice for both types of tuition is similar:

• Find the gaps first. It says small group tuition is most likely to work "if it is targeted at pupils' specific needs", using diagnostic assessment.
• Link it to school lessons. Tuition works better when it is "additional to and explicitly linked with normal lessons."
• Monitor progress. Check whether it is working, and change things if not.
• Tutor quality matters. Training and preparation make a real difference.

So when you compare options, ask how the tutor will find your child's gaps, how they will match your child's exam board, and how they will report progress to you.

How does LCB run its groups?

We teach small groups of 3–5 students, with the same tutor every week.

Every student starts with a free 30-minute assessment, so we know their gaps before they join a group. Lessons follow your child's exam board, and you get a monthly progress report. Fatima A. in Canning Town put it simply: "They actually teach to the exam board, not just general revision."

Our plans run from one to three lessons a week. For 11+ and GCSE that is £13 to £11 a lesson, and for A-Level £18 to £16 a lesson, with no contract. See pricing for the full table.

How can LCB help?

If you are unsure whether a group suits your child, let us see them first.

Book a free assessment, in person in Barking or online. We will tell you honestly whether a small group is right for your child. Find out more about our GCSE tutoring, A-Level tutoring and 11+ tutoring.