Private coaching to get ahead at school 'on the rise'

The number of students being privately coached to get ahead at school is on the increase, it has been suggested.

John Coe, chairman of the National Association of Primary Education, said the growth has been within the state sector, rather than among prep and private school pupils.

Approximately eight per cent of children currently attend private schools in the UK.

Mr Coe said although it is wrong to infer that there is a lack of trust in the state system, there has been a rise in the number of youngsters at state schools seeking private tuition.

"Private coaching in order to gain advantage in state schools is now widespread, particularly in south-east England," he added.

Despite the popularity of private tutoring, a study carried out last year by the Institute of Education found that GCSE students who receive academic coaching only do marginally better than the students who do not.

Posted by Katy Kearns
 

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