SEN in Independent Schools Found Wanting as Private Tuition Increases

Online, December 20, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Leaders in private home tutoring, Tutors International, have reported a record month for placements of their elite private tutors, with a significant rise in the number of enquiries for tutors with experience with SEN (special educational needs).

Adam Caller, founder of the Oxford-based private tuition agency and one of only two UK members of the prestigious US-based Independent Educational Consultants Association, commented on the announcement, "Although we're pleased to have another hugely successful year, with this November the busiest month since we formed in 1999, we found that more pupils are being taken out of school and seeking full-time home tuition, because the schools are just not addressing their barriers to learning."

Mr Caller has particular experience in SEN, and has undergone specialist training in dyslexia and AD/HD and is very sensitive to children's education difficulties. "It's apparent that some schools are just not equipped to identify SEN beyond the most common instances, let alone implement an effective strategy to help the child overcome them."

"I've placed private tutors with hundreds of families, and over the course of my time as an educator, have come across many children with behavioural or academic concerns. Some of the time there's an undiagnosed SEN, such as NLVD (Non-Verbal Learning Disability) or dyscalculia, which, once identified and addressed, leads to a much happier and productive education for the student."

While Mr Caller sympathised with education psychologists - the extensive range of tests, the commitment and cooperation needed from the pupil can make identification problematic - he is concerned. "It's worrying that these are not being picked up by the school, and that it often takes a family to remove the child from school and seek a private tutor to deal with 'behavioural issues' before an SEN diagnosis can be made."