GCSE: Private Tuition Funding?

Helix

Hi

I guess this is the right place to post this.

My Sister struggles with her Maths and my parents have decided to get her a private tutor for 1 hour a week to help her in her final GCSE year. They were just wondering if there is any help they can get with paying the costs of the tuition which is £15 a week.

I have had a look on the internet and on my County Councils website and it seems some people can qualify for having Music tuition but couldn't find anything about Maths tuition or tuition in other core subjects other than this statement:

In May 2007 Alan Johnson, education secretary at the time, announced that the government is making plans to make extra provision for private tuition for students who can’t currently afford it. He pledged that 10 hours of extra tuition in key areas such as Maths and English will be made available to the bottom 5% of pupils. This would benefit up to 600,000 students.

Just wondering if anyone knew anything about it?

Thanks
Craig

Oldernotwiser

I've not heard of this but the bottom 5% would be at a very, very low level. Is your sister this bad?

anitamarie

They're still piloting it, so your odds are frankly slim I would imagine. Sorry.

candygirl

I doubt you'll be able to get the help for your sis, and £15 is quite a reasonable price for a tutor nowadays.It cost me that for my DD 8 years ago:D

lilysgarden

I would say you won't get anything at all. Most Government plans take on average around two years to put into action. Your looking at next May at the earliest before any child will be entitled to extra help with schoolwork. And even then, it'll mostly be children in the care system, young offenders etc as their the one's most likely to be struggling enough to get the support offered. As Candygirl rightly pointed out though, £15 a week is an excellent price. My boyfriend was looking into providing English tuition for some extra cash and most private tutors are charging in the region of £30 an hour!

giverny_breeze

Hey, I don't know how much funding you can get but while I was at college I did occassional free tutoring for younger students because it looks really good on your Uni application... it might be worth putting a post on studentroom.com to see if there are people in your area or maybe ask a friend who is sixth form type age....or ask a trainee teacher. Thats what i'd be doing anyway ...if you let me know your area, i'm still a student and can post on some uni websites for you...:)