There’s a common misconception that needing a tutor means that a teacher has somehow failed. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, tutoring can often be a sign of a teacher’s great success in understanding a child’s needs and ensuring they get the support they require.
Take the story of my son, Daniel. His early years in primary school were incredibly challenging. His class was overcrowded and chaotic, the teachers were inexperienced, and the school leadership was lacking. The environment was so disruptive that surviving each day was an achievement for Daniel. He wasn’t learning because he didn’t feel safe, and without that foundation, no amount of teaching could reach him.
As his parent, I knew something had to change. But with no available places in the local schools, we were stuck. At that point, bolstering Daniel’s sense of self was our top priority. Learning wasn’t even on the radar—he was working over two years behind his peers, and I knew tutoring wouldn’t be effective until he was ready to learn.
Then, a stroke of luck: Daniel was accepted into a new school just as the first COVID-19 lockdown began. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The lockdown allowed him to detox from the negative school environment, rest at home, and slowly get used to his new classmates via remote learning. He spent his time riding his bike, playing in the paddling pool, and doing less than half of the schoolwork asked of him. But in my mind, this was a huge success.
When Daniel finally returned to the classroom, he found a school that genuinely cared about him. His new teachers were rigorous and pushy, but in the best possible way. They showed him that they believed in his potential and never let him off the hook. If he missed homework, he completed it in school. If he struggled with the material, someone was there to help him. These teachers raised his expectations of himself, instilled in him a value for hard work, and helped to calm the noise in his head. For the first time, Daniel felt safe enough to learn.
After a full year at his new school, Daniel was ready for more targeted support. That’s when we brought in Alyson Burns, an ex-head teacher turned full-time dyslexia specialist. Alyson is firm but warm, and she and Daniel play all sorts of literacy games together. He’s not just making progress—he’s enjoying the journey.
Daniel’s story shows that tutoring isn’t a sign of failure. It’s a step forward in ensuring that a child receives the tailored support they need to succeed. His teachers didn’t fail him—they set him up for success by recognizing when extra help was needed and by supporting him every step of the way.
With determination and the right support, any child can thrive. And sometimes, that support comes in the form of a dedicated tutor who can make all the difference.