Is online tutoring worth it?

Key takeaways

• →One-to-one tuition adds about five months’ progress on average, and studies using digital technology show broadly similar effects.
• →No UK study we’ve found settles online against in person directly.
• →Online saves travel and costs less; in person can suit younger children or those who struggle with a screen.
• →A quiet space, camera on, a shared whiteboard and a steady weekly slot make online lessons work.

1. What the evidence says about one-to-one tuition

The Education Endowment Foundation’s Teaching and Learning Toolkit rates one-to-one tuition at about five months’ extra progress on average. On online lessons, it says studies involving digital technology show broadly similar effects, and that costs are lower for online delivery.^[1]

It also says tuition works best when it is in addition to, and clearly linked with, normal lessons, and it favours short, regular sessions. These are averages across many studies, so they can’t promise what happens for one child.^[1]

2. UK evidence on online tuition

The EEF’s National Online Tutoring Pilot ran from June to October 2020, reaching 1,425 learners in 65 schools, mostly in Years 10 and 11. It found online tuition was workable, and 76% of learners said they enjoyed learning more than before. Tutors and learners still preferred face to face, and equipment and internet access were the main barriers.^[2]

The government’s National Tutoring Programme evaluation found small effects in maths for pupils tutored in 2021 to 2022, and lists online versus in person as something that still needs research.^[3]

For balance, an EEF-funded trial of one online maths programme for Year 6, reported in 2016, found no evidence of an impact on Key Stage 2 maths. In short, online appears to work broadly as well as other tuition in the studies the EEF reviewed, but we haven’t found a UK study that settles online against in person.^[4]

3. Who online lessons suit

4. Making it work at home

A quiet space with a table and a closed door. Camera on, so the tutor can see when your child is stuck. A shared whiteboard, so your child sees each step, especially in maths. Two minutes after each lesson on what was covered, and a short note from the tutor every few weeks. And a steady weekly slot, because regular sessions are what the evidence favours.^[1]

Test the tech first: Before the first lesson, check the camera, microphone and internet in the room your child will use.

5. Brainhub’s online lessons

Our online one-to-one lessons start from £25 an hour for Primary, 11+ and KS3, from £30 for GCSE and from £40 for A-Level, with no registration or admin fees, and they cost £5 an hour less than lessons in person. Tutors are matched to your child’s exam board (AQA, Edexcel or OCR), and the first step is a free 45-minute assessment.

In Brainhub’s own records for 2021 to 2026, GCSE students typically improved by 2 grades over 12 weeks of weekly lessons. That covers all our lessons, not online only, and it is our own data, not independent research.

Good teaching, a clear plan and regular sessions matter more than the screen.

1. 1. What does the EEF say about one-to-one tuition using digital technology?

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2. 2. What were the main barriers in the 2020 online tutoring pilot?

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3. 3. Name two things that help online lessons work at home.

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Your next steps

• Choose a quiet room and test the camera, microphone and internet.
• Agree a steady weekly time that fits around school.
• Book a free assessment and try an online lesson.

Subject guides to go with this

Want one-to-one help? See how our online lessons work.