Private Mathematics Tutor-friend Or Foe To The Educational System?

My name is Sarah Casey. I am a mathematics tutor. In the past few years, I have become intrigued by the question as to whether the growth in private mathematics tutoring is making a positive contribution to the British educational system? I am also interested in how we can use tutoring our educational system to full effect. Firstly, the vast majority of any tutor`s work is mathematics tutoring. Parents clearly feel that mathematics tutoring plays an important part in our educational system. National statistics representing a fall in standards in mathematics has increased parental concerns. Mathematics is a subject in which is vital for human existence. Overall, parents believe that their children benefit from extra one to one support. Secondary schools, in particular, are a challenging place to learn these days due to peer pressure, a very detailed curriculum and each teacher`s requirement to try to cater for as many pupils as they can. From my own learning experience, some pupils need a little extra help and time to devote to mathematics. We all learn at different paces and it is just impossible for each teacher to provide individual support to each student. Furthermore, there are also concerns over the lack of specialist mathematics teachers in the classroom. My own opinion is that a teacher/tutor without a mathematics degree can teach just as a well as one with a mathematics degree. The dedication and the commitment of the teacher are the most valuable tools for teaching mathematics. They can also provide a completely different angle at teaching mathematics. I have a BSc Mathematics 1st (hons) and I believe that my own mathematical knowledge helps to clarify concepts not fully understood in lessons and form the building blocks of further concepts. Mathematics is also hierarchical. If you do not know one topic then you will not know the topic that follows it. My own mother`s poor knowledge of bearings is totally put down to missing a few geometry lessons at school. From another perspective, some teachers argue that tutoring is seen as cheating and conflicts with school work. I do not agree. If it helps students to understand topics, become good mathematicians and broadens their understanding and enjoyment of the subject, then it is a very good friend to the educational system. We need to inspire and develop future generations and never hold them back. There are many pupils who are just to shy to ask the teacher in front of their friends when they need help but will willingly ask a tutor in private. I propose a closer working relationship with teachers and private tutors. Each pupil needs an individual learning plan and this could be done very effectively if teacher and tutor were a united party. Clearly, there should be a dividing line. Teachers should teach the concepts. A tutor should enforce and develop these concepts. They should also be able to provide a facility for pupils with very specialist needs, for example: stretching a gift and talented GCSE pupils with ALevel mathematics. Overall, private mathematics tutoring should be considered a friend to the educational system. Pupils can become clearer on topic areas, catch up with the any school work that they have missed and have one extra source of support. I believe that mathematics tutoring helps to drive standards in schools. Through good tuition, we should have better mathematicians in this county. It can only be a positive thing!