3 Alternatives to Private Tutoring in the UK
Some alternatives to tutoring when preparing your child for Independent School Admissions
Private tutoring isn’t the only way to prepare your child for UK independent school admissions. While one-to-one lessons are the most effective option, they aren’t always the right fit for every child — or every family.
Here are three alternatives to private tutoring that can still give your child the structure, confidence, and skills needed for exams like the ISEB Common Pre-Test, 11+, or Common Entrance.
1. Group Courses
If your child enjoys learning alongside others, small-group courses can be a powerful substitute for weekly one-to-one tutoring.
There are many group courses that focus on ISEB Common Pre-Test, 11+, or school interview preparation.
Children gain confidence by practising in front of peers and sharing different problem-solving approaches, under time pressure
They are usually half the price of individual lessons, while still offering access to an expert tutor.
💡 Contact me for details of the group courses I will be running from September
2. Online Subscriptions
Technology now makes it possible for children to practise in structured, engaging ways at home. Online learning platforms can serve as a flexible, cost-effective alternative to tutoring.
Interactive quizzes, adaptive learning, and video explanations guide students step by step.
Progress tracking helps both parents and children stay accountable.
Subjects often cover reasoning, maths, English, and even interview skills.
N.B. it is best to combine these subscriptions with other resources as they are not perfect!
3. Parent-Guided Workbooks
For parents who have time or prefer to help their child themselves, parent-guided workbooks can be extremely effective.
Well-designed workbooks provide a clear structure for the ISEB Common Pre-Test or Common Entrance preparation.
Parents don’t need subject expertise — they simply guide their child through step-by-step exercises (answers are provided!)
Regular workbook sessions help build discipline, resilience, and test-taking stamina.
N.B. it is best to couple this with some online, adaptive practice tests!
Final Thoughts
The best alternative to having a private tutor would be a combination of all three of these. Online school admissions tests often recycle older questions from workbooks - so it is important to practise a variety of questions but also practise exams under adaptive, timed, online conditions.
📘 For a complete roadmap to choosing schools, navigating deadlines, and preparing for exams, see my book A Parent’s Guide to UK Independent School Admissions — available now on Amazon (paperback + Kindle).