Group Tuition vs One-to-One Tutoring for KS3: What the Evidence Says

The evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation is clear: both one-to-one tuition and small group tuition outperform whole-class teaching for targeted gaps. One-to-one is more effective on average, but small group is significantly cheaper and still produces meaningful gains. The right choice depends on your child's specific needs and what you can sustain.

What the research says

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) Teaching and Learning Toolkit, one of the most comprehensive reviews of educational interventions in England, rates both formats highly:

One-to-one tuition: an average gain of five additional months of learning per year — rated as high impact with strong evidence

Small group tuition (two to five students): an average gain of four additional months of learning per year — rated as high impact with good evidence

The difference in average gain is one month. For many families, the cost difference — which can be three to four times in favour of group tuition — makes that one month a reasonable trade-off.

The DfE's National Tutoring Programme, which funded tutoring across England from 2020 to 2024, operated both one-to-one and small group (up to three students) models. Outcomes were broadly comparable when session quality and frequency were similar, though one-to-one showed slightly stronger results for students with significant gaps.

What is group tuition?

Group tuition involves a single tutor working simultaneously with two to five students, typically at similar ability levels or with shared gaps. Sessions may be held in person at a tutoring centre or learning hub, or online via shared video and whiteboard tools.

Strengths of group tuition:

Significantly cheaper per student: a £30/hour session shared between three students costs £10 per student

Peer discussion can be valuable — hearing how other students approach a problem can unlock understanding

Competitive or collaborative elements can boost motivation for some learners

More sustainable to maintain over the full two or three years of KS3

Limitations of group tuition:

The tutor's attention is divided: less time on each student's specific misconceptions

Pace is set for the group, not the individual — a fast learner may be slowed, a slower learner may be rushed

Group dynamics can be counterproductive if students are mismatched in ability or personality

Harder to adapt session content rapidly when one student needs a different explanation

What is one-to-one tutoring?

One-to-one tutoring is a single tutor working with a single student, either in person or online. All session time is devoted to that student's specific needs, gaps, and pace.

Strengths of one-to-one tuition:

Maximum personalisation: every question, example, and explanation is directed at the specific student

The tutor can identify and address misconceptions the moment they appear

Pace adjusts to the student — a concept can be explored until it is secure before moving on

Quieter or less confident students are more willing to admit confusion without peer visibility

Produces the strongest average learning gains of any tutoring format (EEF)

Limitations of one-to-one tuition:

The most expensive format: £30–£60 per hour in England, higher in London

No peer-learning dimension — all insight comes from the tutor

Can create dependency if the student does not develop independent problem-solving habits

Harder to sustain financially over the full KS3 period

Side-by-side comparison

Criterion | Small group (2–5 students) | One-to-one tuition
Average learning gain (EEF) | +4 months per year | +5 months per year
Typical cost per student | £8–£15/hour (share of session) | £30–£60/hour
Personalisation | Moderate — shared with group | Maximum
Peer learning benefit | Yes | No
Pace flexibility | Lower — follows group | Full — follows individual
Best for students who are shy or anxious | Less suitable | More suitable
Works for exam preparation | Yes, if group has shared gaps | Yes, highly effective
Sustainability over 2–3 years | Higher (lower cost) | Lower (higher cost)
Tutor attention per student | Divided | Undivided

Which works better for different KS3 situations?

One-to-one tutoring is usually better when:

The student has a specific, significant gap in a core subject (for example, fractions and algebra in maths) that needs targeted attention

The student is anxious, introverted, or less likely to ask questions in front of peers

You are preparing for entrance exams or assessments where personalised practice is essential

The student's gaps are different from those of any available group

Small group tutoring is usually better when:

The student's gaps are similar to those of peers at the same school or level

Budget is a real constraint and consistent weekly sessions matter more than format

The student is sociable and motivated by working alongside others

You want to maintain support across all three KS3 years rather than intensive short bursts

Group size matters within group tuition

Not all group tuition is equal. The EEF evidence distinguishes between small groups (two to five) and larger classroom-style settings. A group of two or three with a skilled tutor retains most of the benefits of one-to-one while significantly reducing cost. A group of ten or twelve is classroom teaching with a different venue — the per-student benefit drops sharply.

When evaluating a tutoring centre or online group, ask specifically how many students share each session. Groups of two or three are meaningfully different from groups of six or more.

Can AI tutoring supplement either format?

Yes — and this is an increasingly practical approach. A weekly session with a human tutor (one-to-one or small group) sets the strategic direction and addresses complex misconceptions. Daily AI-tutoring practice sessions reinforce the week's learning through retrieval and adaptive questioning.

This hybrid model extends weekly practice time at low additional cost, aligns with what the EEF identifies as effective (frequency and targeted feedback), and does not require every practice moment to be human-led. AI tutors designed for KS3 can provide Socratic questioning across maths, English, science, and humanities — the subjects where group or one-to-one tuition is most commonly sought.

Frequently asked questions

Is one-to-one tutoring always better than group for KS3?

On average, yes — the EEF gives one-to-one an edge of one additional month of learning per year over small group tuition. But this is an average, and individual factors matter. A confident, sociable student in a well-matched group of three may make stronger progress than in an uninspiring one-to-one session. Tutor quality, session frequency, and whether the content targets the student's actual gaps are bigger determinants than format.

How many students should be in a KS3 tuition group?

The strongest evidence for group tuition covers groups of two to five students. Groups of two or three capture most of the personalisation benefits of one-to-one while reducing cost. Once group size exceeds five, the tutor's ability to address individual misconceptions drops substantially. Tutoring centres that advertise "small groups" of eight or more are offering a different proposition to the EEF-evidenced model.

How much does group tutoring cost per session in the UK?

A one-hour group session typically costs £25–£45 in total, shared between students. With three students this is roughly £10–£15 per student per hour. One-to-one rates for the same tutor and subject typically run £30–£60 per student per hour. Group tuition offers approximately a 60–75% cost saving per student, which makes sustained weekly support far more affordable.

Should my Year 7 child start with group or one-to-one?

If budget allows, one-to-one in Year 7 can quickly identify and address any gaps from primary school and build strong habits before KS3 assessments matter. If budget is a constraint, a small group (two or three) with similar peers is an excellent alternative — and the peer dynamic can help a Year 7 student feel less exposed and more motivated than a solo session sometimes permits. Many parents start with group in Year 7 and move to one-to-one in Year 9 when GCSE options decisions approach and the stakes feel higher.

For daily AI-powered practice to complement your child's tutoring sessions, see aitutors.me.