Tutors’ Alliance’s Round-up of the Academic Year

This year has been a very busy one for tutors throughout the UK. As the UK emerges from the recession, we have seen more competition for university places and cuts to schools’ funding which has resulted in a greater demand for tutors. The current situation is still very much one where demand outstrips supply.

Official statistics produced last November for the Sutton Trust suggested that around 22% of pupils had had a tutor at some stage during their educational experience. This number rises at key educational stages (primarily 11 for secondary school entry and 16 – 18 for examinations).However, as with all statistics, we have to account for the fact that many pupils do not admit to having a tutor and so the actual number could be significantly higher. In terms of numbers of tutors, there is a real lack of research in this area although the big agencies state they have upwards of 10 000 tutors registered with them. This does not mean that the tutors are actively working, just that they have an interest in working for the agency. More research is required to ensure we have an accurate picture of tutoring in the UK although this will inevitably be very difficult where there is a lack of regulation in the UK.

This leads me on to what has been a real hot topic in the private tuition sector, child protection. There have been a number of cases about tutors abusing the trust their pupils accord in them. This is sadly now a regular occurrence and this year has been no different. Two cases in particular illustrate child protection issues for children and have been cases which Tutors’ Alliance has used to demonstrate to parents and pupils the child protection issues within the tutoring sector.

The first is the case of Stewart MacKenize who was accused of lewd and libidinous practices but the case was found not proven on the 2nd June in Aberdeen Sherriff Court. He did admit to touching a young girl on the leg. There is no need for tutors to engage in physical contact of such a nature with pupils, even if, as MacKenzie stated, the purpose was to “encourage” his pupil. Touching a pupil in such a way is likely to result in accusations being made against a tutor.

The second is the case of Ugochukwu Okorie who abused two girls aged 10 and 6 and had in his possession 1200 photos of young girls, as well as admitting to having sex with a 14 year-old girl. He was sentenced on 2nd July to seven years imprisonment. Tutors’ Alliance believes this case is one of the worse instances of abuse of trust and is quite frankly, appalling. Cases like this give the private tuition industry a bad name and highlights to a greater extent than any member of tuition community can individually that there is an urgent need for regulation of the industry.

However, although these cases are extremely serious and show the dark side of the private tuition industry, we must not forget that private tutors up and down the UK do an excellent job. So many pupils benefit from the knowledge and commitment of their tutors and achieve their goals, whether they be academic or personal by increasing their self-confidence. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the Tutors’ Alliance tutors who give 110% every session and who do such a good job that parents call me to tell me just who good they are! This is the private tuition sector as it should be operating and I am proud to be a part of it.

So the 2009 – 2010 academic session, Tutors’ Alliance first full year has brought with it its challenges but also achievements. As Tutors’ Alliance continues to grow, we aim to be the voice of the private tuition industry. This involves representing you – whether you be a tutor, pupil, agency of anyone else with an interest in the private tuition sector. Please let us know your thoughts and ideas – we can assure you that we will listen to them.