About +5 months average progress
One-to-one tuition
Summer tutoring for parents
Summer tutoring: should you get a tutor over the holidays?
A practical UK guide to when summer tuition can help, when to pause, and how to choose a clear, safe plan for your child before September.
About +4 months average progress
Small-group tuition
What the evidence says at a glance
Use these figures as evidence context, not as promises. The result for any child depends on the goal, tutor fit, lesson quality, practice between sessions and how progress is reviewed.
One-to-one tuition
EEF evidence reports an average impact of about five additional months’ progress. It is best used for targeted help with low prior attainment or a specific difficulty.
Small-group tuition
EEF evidence reports an average impact of about four additional months’ progress. The EEF describes small groups as typically two to five pupils, with teaching focused on shared needs.
Academic summer provision
EEF evidence on summer schools reports a positive average impact of about three additional months, while noting that the evidence base is limited and that stronger academic gains come from provision with an academic component and small-group or one-to-one teaching.
Targeting matters
Ofsted’s review of school tutoring found that normal classroom lessons with usual teachers are enough for most pupils, while stronger tutoring was planned, frequent, consistent, aligned with curriculum content and assessed.
Summer tutoring is most useful when one of these is true
Use this as a decision checklist. You do not need every point; one clear, important reason is enough.
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There is a specific gap
Your child is stuck on a clear topic or skill, such as times tables, fractions, essay structure, grammar, reading fluency or exam technique.
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Confidence has dropped
They avoid a subject they used to attempt, or they can do the work with support but freeze when asked to start alone.
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A transition is coming
A new school year, new key stage, school move or return after disruption would be easier with a calmer academic reset.
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There is a defined exam goal
Summer can be a useful time to consolidate foundations before a GCSE, A level, 11 Plus, National 5, Higher or other exam-focused year, while keeping nation and exam-board differences in mind.
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The goal can be reviewed
You and the tutor can agree what “better” should look like after the first few lessons: improved accuracy, more independent practice, a clearer study routine or reduced avoidance.
One-to-one, small group, online or local: which setup fits?
The best format depends on the reason you are booking, not on the season.
What a realistic summer tutoring rhythm could look like
The EEF notes that short, regular one-to-one sessions over a defined period appear to give strong average impact, but a family summer does not need to copy a school intervention schedule. A practical home version is: regular lessons, small tasks between sessions, and a review point.
Example summer tutoring rhythms for different goals.
| Goal | Possible rhythm | Between sessions | Review sign |
|---|---|---|---|
Catch up on one topic, such as fractions, algebra or essay planning. | Weekly or twice-weekly lessons for a defined block of the summer. | Short practice tasks that target the same skill. | Your child can explain the method and complete similar questions with less help. |
Reduce avoidance and help your child feel able to start work again. | One regular weekly lesson plus manageable tasks that feel achievable. | Low-pressure practice, reading, recall or short written tasks. | They attempt the subject more readily and can describe what to do first. |
Consolidate foundations before a GCSE, A level, National 5, Higher, 11 Plus or similar exam-focused year. | A structured block with topic priorities and a final review before school restarts. | Retrieval practice, exam-style questions or feedback corrections. | Fewer repeated errors and a clearer revision routine. |
Preview the next stage so September feels less daunting. | Light weekly support around travel and rest. | Reading, vocabulary, mental maths, or topic preview tasks. | Your child recognises key ideas and feels calmer about the next step. |
Safety questions to ask before booking summer tutoring
GOV.UK parent guidance for tuition and other out-of-school settings encourages parents to ask practical questions about safeguarding, policies and supervision. DBS, PVG and AccessNI checks are important, but they are only one part of safe tutoring.
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Ask who is responsible for safeguarding
For an organisation, ask who the safeguarding contact is and what the child protection policy says. For an individual tutor, ask how they keep lessons, communication and records safe.
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Ask about complaints and concerns
You should know who to contact if you are unhappy with a lesson, communication or behaviour.
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Agree one-to-one contact arrangements
GOV.UK names “adults having unsupervised one-to-one contact with children without parental or carer consent” as a safeguarding concern. Agree where lessons happen, how online sessions are run and who can see or hear the lesson.
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Understand DBS, PVG and AccessNI differences
Since 21 January 2026, eligible self-employed people in England and Wales can apply for Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List DBS checks through an Umbrella Body. The DBS guidance also says: “You cannot ask the private employer/parent to obtain this on your behalf.” In Scotland, parents can ask to see proof of current PVG membership for the relevant group. In Northern Ireland, eligible self-employed tutors can apply for AccessNI checks through an Umbrella Body.
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Check identity and certificate details
The DBS guidance for private individuals explains that parents can ask to see the original certificate, confirm the person’s identity and check details such as issue date and workforce type where relevant.
A script you can adapt
A simple message to send a prospective summer tutor
Hi, I’m looking for summer tutoring for my child, who is in [year group/stage] and needs help with [subject]. The main goal is [one or two topics, confidence issue, transition or exam-preparation goal]. They find [specific difficulty] hard and usually respond best to [calm explanations / structured practice / confidence-building / challenge]. We are available [days/times] over the summer and would like to review progress after the first two or three lessons. Could you tell me how you would structure the first sessions, how you give feedback to parents, and what experience you have with this subject or stage?
Key terms parents may see
These definitions keep the advice clear without turning the page into an exam or SEND guide.
Summer tutoring
Targeted tuition arranged during the school summer break, usually to catch up on a specific gap, rebuild confidence, consolidate learning or prepare for the next academic stage.
One-to-one tuition
A teacher, tutor, teaching assistant or other adult giving one pupil intensive individual support. See the EEF one-to-one tuition evidence.
Small-group tuition
A teacher, trained teaching assistant or tutor working with a small group, typically two to five pupils, so teaching can focus on shared needs. See the EEF small-group tuition evidence.
Catch-up tutoring
Targeted academic support designed to address identified gaps or low prior attainment rather than generic extra work. GOV.UK school reporting guidance describes tutoring as targeted academic support used to improve attainment.
SENCO
The special educational needs co-ordinator at a school or nursery. GOV.UK SEND guidance points parents to the SENCO when a child may need school support.
DBS, PVG and AccessNI checks
Different disclosure or criminal-record checking systems used across the UK: DBS in England and Wales, PVG in Scotland and AccessNI in Northern Ireland.
Sources and further reading
These sources support the evidence, safety guidance, SEND boundaries, UK timing caveats and Latimer service details used in this guide.
- Open source
Education Endowment Foundation: One to one tuition
- Open source
Education Endowment Foundation: Small group tuition
- Open source
Education Endowment Foundation: Summer schools
- Open source
Ofsted / GOV.UK: Independent review of tutoring in schools
- Open source
GOV.UK: tuition and out-of-school safeguarding guidance
- Open source
Disclosure and Barring Service: checks for self-employed people
- Open source
NHS: Dyslexia in children
- Open source
British Dyslexia Association: diagnostic assessment
- Open source
Latimer Tuition: How it Works
- Open source
Latimer Tuition: Find a Tutor
- Open source
GOV.UK: school term and holiday dates
- Open source
mygov.scot: school term and holiday dates
- Open source
Welsh Government: structure of the school year
- Open source
Department of Education Northern Ireland: school holidays
- Open source
GOV.UK: school census tutoring definition
- Open source
Disclosure and Barring Service: guidance for private individuals
- Open source
Disclosure Scotland: proof of PVG membership
- Open source
AccessNI: checks for self-employed or personal employees
Related guidance
More guidance from this section
More guidance from this part of the Ed Centre that may help with the same decision, stage or next step.
Does my child need a tutor?
Help parents decide whether tutoring is the right next step, what to try first, and how to choose safely if tutoring is appropriate.
Common Entrance tutor: how to choose the right support
A practical guide to when tutoring can help, what school-route checks to make first, and what to ask before booking.
Home school tutor: how to choose the right support
A practical guide to when tutoring helps, what to check before booking, and when school, local authority, SEND, health or exam-centre routes should come first.
Support and clarity
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions people ask most often.
Should I get a tutor over summer?
It can be a good idea if your child has a clear goal that would benefit from targeted support before September, such as a specific gap, low confidence, a transition or exam preparation. It is not necessary for every child. The best test is whether you can name what the tutor should help with and how you will review progress after the first few lessons.
Is summer tutoring worth it for a child who is behind?
Yes, it can be worth it when “behind” means something specific: a topic, skill, subject habit or confidence issue. Evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation supports targeted one-to-one and small-group tuition, but the average impact figures are not individual guarantees.
How often should summer tutoring happen?
Aim for a regular pattern over a defined block rather than occasional last-minute lessons. For many families, weekly or twice-weekly tutoring with short practice tasks between sessions is more realistic than a school-style intervention schedule. Set a review point after two or three lessons.
Is online summer tutoring a good option?
Online summer tutoring can work well because it is easier to fit around holidays and can give access to a wider tutor pool. Check the tutor’s subject fit, rapport, feedback style and safe online lesson arrangements. Latimer is online-first, with in-person arrangements only possible where family and tutor are close by and agree it.
Should I speak to school before booking a summer tutor?
It is sensible if the problem is unclear, if your child already receives support, or if you suspect SEND, dyslexia, attendance or wellbeing issues. A school conversation can help identify topics and make tutoring more focused. It is not a requirement for every family with a straightforward subject goal.
What if I think my child may have dyslexia or SEND?
Start with the school’s SENCO or the relevant school support process. The NHS states that a GP cannot diagnose dyslexia, and specialist guidance separates formal assessment from ordinary tutoring. A tutor may support practice and confidence, but should not be treated as a diagnosis or a replacement for school SEND support.
What safety checks should I ask a summer tutor for?
Ask about safeguarding arrangements, complaints, communication, safe one-to-one contact, personal-information handling and how feedback is shared. In England and Wales, DBS guidance changed in January 2026 for eligible self-employed tutors; Scotland uses PVG and Northern Ireland uses AccessNI. A certificate is useful, but it is not the whole safeguarding picture.
Can summer tutoring guarantee better grades?
No. Good tutoring can improve understanding, confidence and study habits, but no responsible tutor should guarantee a grade. Look for progress signs such as clearer explanations, better accuracy, more independent practice and less avoidance.
Sources and references
Sources and references
Official guidance
- 1.GOV.UK: school census tutoring definition
Official school-reporting definition of tutoring as targeted one-to-one or small-group academic support.
- 2.Ofsted / GOV.UK
Official review evidence on tutoring quality, targeting, frequency, consistency and assessment.
- 3.GOV.UK
Official SEND overview for parents, including school support contacts.
- 4.GOV.UK
Official explanation of special educational needs support in school.
- 5.NHS
NHS guidance on dyslexia in children, school-first advice and diagnosis boundaries.
- 6.GOV.UK
Parent guidance on safeguarding questions for tuition and out-of-school activities.
- 7.Disclosure and Barring Service
DBS guidance for eligible self-employed people and personal employees from January 2026.
- 8.Disclosure and Barring Service
DBS guidance for private individuals viewing a certificate and checking details.
- 9.Disclosure Scotland
Scotland guidance on asking to see proof of PVG membership.
- 10.AccessNI
Northern Ireland guidance on AccessNI checks for eligible self-employed or personal employees.
- 11.GOV.UK
GOV.UK service explaining that school term and holiday dates vary across the UK.
- 12.mygov.scot
mygov.scot service for Scottish local authority school term and holiday dates.
- 13.GOV.WALES
Welsh Government explanation that school-year dates can vary across Wales and the UK.
- 14.Department of Education Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland school holiday information and discretion caveat.
Peer-reviewed research
- 1.Education Endowment Foundation: One to one tuition
Evidence summary for one-to-one tuition, including average impact and planning considerations.
- 2.Education Endowment Foundation: Small group tuition
Evidence summary for small-group tuition, including group size and average impact.
- 3.Education Endowment Foundation: Summer schools
Evidence summary for summer schools and academic summer provision.
Internal pages
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Other sources
- 1.British Dyslexia Association
Specialist charity guidance on diagnostic dyslexia assessment.