Tutoring: When Help Hurts More Than It Helps

Every parent wants the very best for their child. Many families consider extra tuition to give their child an added boost. While this is always well-intentioned, more lessons do not always mean better learning.

When a student begins to miss or leave school early for tutoring, or spends long hours after school in external lessons, problems arise. Tutors may:

● Teach content from a different syllabus or exam body, confusing the learner.

● Do the work set by school teachers on the child’s behalf, creating over-reliance.

● Present an inaccurate picture of progress to both parents and the school.

● Overload the learner, leaving them tired, disengaged, and less productive in class.

Our Comprehensive Academic Support:

We already provide a wide range of structured academic systems that teach both content and skills to meet syllabus and exam requirements:

● Century Tech, past papers, and homework designed to reinforce classroom learning.

● Academic clinics and intervention sessions to address specific areas of difficulty.

● Teachers available during break, lunch, and after school for one-to-one guidance and concept clarification.

● Regular assessment and feedback to track progress and guide improvement.

Our teachers are highly qualified, experienced, and dedicated to supporting every learner. We know your child, the syllabus, exam body, and your child’s academic needs best.

However, if you really must get a tutor because you feel your child still the needs extra support at home, please ensure that the tutor:

● Works from the correct syllabus and exam board.

● Reinforces what is being taught in school.

● Communicates respectfully and positively about the school teachers and classroom learning.

● Keeps sessions balanced with rest, independent study, and time for reflection to avoid fatigue and burnout.

Partnering with the school, rather than replacing it, ensures consistency and confidence in your child’s learning journey.

Practical Ways Parents Can Support at Home

● Encourage your child to use Century Tech and attend academic clinics regularly.

● Create a quiet, well-lit study space free from distractions.

● Help plan a realistic study schedule with time for rest and recreation.

● Stay in touch with teachers for accurate updates and support strategies.

● Focus on encouragement.

Building Confidence Beyond the Exam Room

Exams are an important milestone, but they are not the ultimate measure of your child’s potential. They reflect preparation and effort at a particular moment in time, not the full range of talents, creativity, and resilience that make each learner unique. What matters most is protecting your child’s confidence, self-belief, and mental wellbeing.

Every child has their own strengths, and when they grow up believing in themselves, they become stronger, more capable human beings, far beyond the classroom or the exam hall. So, let's guard our children’s self-belief, nurture their curiosity, and celebrate both progress and perseverance. Lets build on their strengths and support their areas of growth, rather than labelling or comparing them.

“If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” — Albert Einstein.

At Braeburn, we believe that true education is about helping every learner discover what makes them shine, because confidence and character will carry them much further than any grade ever could.

Noela Gichuru

Deputy Headteacher - Academic