Private Tutoring in the UK in 2026: Why Families Are Turning to Tutors and What to Know Before You Start
Private tutoring is more common in the UK than ever. Here is what the latest data shows, why demand is rising, and how to decide whether it is right for your child.
Private tutoring has quietly become part of the school experience for a large share of UK families. Parents are asking whether it is normal now, whether their child is falling behind without it, and whether the cost is worth it. The honest answer depends on the child, but the wider picture is worth understanding before you decide.
This guide looks at what the latest research shows about private tutoring in the UK, why demand keeps rising, where the gaps are, and how to decide whether a tutor is the right step for your child. The figures below come from the Sutton Trust's Private Tutoring 2026 report, published in February 2026.
How Common Is Private Tutoring in the UK in 2026?
According to the Sutton Trust's polling of secondary school pupils in England and Wales, 29% have had private tutoring at some point. That is up from 18% when the charity first began tracking it around twenty years ago, and slightly higher than the 27% recorded in 2019.
Tutoring is most concentrated around exam years. Year 11 is the most likely year for pupils to have a tutor, at 25%, compared with 10% in Year 10.
Measure | Finding (England and Wales, Sutton Trust 2026) |
|---|---|
Secondary pupils who have ever had a private tutor | 29%, up from 18% two decades ago |
London pupils | 45% |
Rest of England | 27% |
Wales | 24% |
Urban vs rural areas | 33% vs 19% |
Worst-off vs best-off households | 23% vs 30% |
Pupils who received one-to-one or small group tutoring in school | 20% |
Why Is Demand for Tutoring Rising?
Several pressures are pushing more families toward tutoring:
- Less tutoring inside schools. The National Tutoring Programme, which offered subsidised catch-up tutoring during and after the pandemic, ended in 2024. Teacher polling for the Sutton Trust found that 58% of schools had reduced their tutoring offer compared with the previous year.
- Exam pressure. GCSEs, A Levels, 11 Plus, and independent school entrance exams all carry high stakes, and many families want structured support around them.
- Competition for places. Selective schools and competitive university courses push families to look for any edge, including admissions test preparation.
- Easier access. Online tutoring has made it far simpler to find a specialist without being limited by location.
The Regional and Income Gap
The growth in tutoring has not been even. In London, 45% of pupils have had a private tutor, compared with 27% in the rest of England and 24% in Wales. Urban areas sit at 33% versus 19% in rural areas.
Income matters too. Around 23% of pupils from the worst-off households have had private tutoring, compared with 30% of those from the best-off homes. The Sutton Trust argues this risks creating a two-tier system, and it has called for ringfenced, long-term funding for in-person tutoring in schools for disadvantaged pupils.
For families, the practical takeaway is that where you live should not limit the quality of tutor you can reach. That is one of the main reasons online tutoring has grown.
What About AI Tutoring?
In January 2026, the Government announced plans to introduce AI tutoring tools in schools, aimed at disadvantaged pupils, with a pilot scheduled for 2027. The Sutton Trust's view is that AI tutoring has potential but that the evidence is not there yet, and that any rollout should be based on evidence about access, delivery, and impact.
The sensible reading for parents is that AI works best as a support for a human tutor, for example through diagnostics, progress tracking, and practice between sessions, rather than as a replacement for one-to-one attention.
Do You Actually Need a Tutor?
Not every child does. A tutor tends to add the most value in these situations:
- A specific gap. Your child is struggling with one subject or skill and school support has not closed it.
- A high-stakes exam. 11 Plus, GCSE, A Level, or an admissions test where structured preparation and technique matter.
- Stretch and confidence. A capable child who wants to go deeper than the classroom allows.
- Disrupted learning. Long absence, a school change, or a period of poor teaching has left gaps.
If your child is progressing well and feels confident, a tutor may simply not be necessary. Talking to their teacher first is always a good starting point.
Does Tutoring Actually Work?
The Sutton Trust points to strong evidence that one-to-one and small group tuition improves attainment, with disadvantaged pupils standing to benefit the most. What matters is not the format but the quality: a good subject match, regular sessions, and clear goals.
How to Get the Most From a Tutor
- Agree a specific goal at the start, such as a target grade, a weak topic, or an exam date
- Choose a tutor with direct experience of your child's exam board or entrance test
- Give it at least six to eight sessions before judging progress, since early sessions are largely diagnostic
- Ask for regular, concise progress updates rather than waiting for exam results
- Check safeguarding basics, including tutor vetting and session visibility
Common Mistakes Parents Make
- Starting too late, leaving little time before the exam to close real gaps
- Choosing on price or proximity alone, rather than subject and exam-board fit
- Expecting instant results, when meaningful progress usually builds over weeks
- Relying on tutoring instead of school support, rather than using the two together
How OxbridgeX Fits In
OxbridgeX tutors are Oxford, Cambridge, and Russell Group graduates, matched to your child's subject, exam board, and goals, whether that is A Level support or 11 Plus preparation. Because sessions are online, your postcode does not limit your choice of tutor, and our AI Co-Pilot tracks progress between sessions so parents get clear visibility without chasing updates.
Explore our tutors or book a free trial lesson. For more parent questions on effectiveness, cost, and safety, read our guide to online tutoring in 2026.
FAQs
How many students in the UK have private tutors?
According to the Sutton Trust's 2026 report, 29% of secondary school pupils in England and Wales have had private tutoring at some point, up from 18% two decades ago.
Is private tutoring more common in London?
Yes. The same report found 45% of pupils in London have had private tutoring, compared with 27% in the rest of England and 24% in Wales.
Why are more families paying for private tutoring?
The end of the National Tutoring Programme in 2024, a fall in school-based tutoring, and rising exam and admissions pressure have all pushed more families toward private options.
Will AI tutors replace private tutors?
Unlikely in the near term. The Government plans to pilot AI tutoring tools in schools in 2027, but researchers say evidence is still limited, and AI is currently most useful as a support alongside human tutors.
How do I know if my child needs a tutor?
A tutor is most useful when there is a specific gap, a high-stakes exam, or a wish for extra stretch. If your child is progressing well and feels confident, it may not be needed.