Online Tutoring vs In-Person Tutoring for KS3: Which Works Better?

Online and in-person tutoring deliver very similar academic outcomes when the tutor is skilled and the sessions are regular. The practical differences — cost, logistics, flexibility, and fit for different learners — are often more important than the format. Here is what the evidence and real-world experience say.

What does the research say about tutoring effectiveness?

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) Teaching and Learning Toolkit rates one-to-one tuition as having a high impact on pupil progress — an average of five additional months of learning across the evidence base. This evidence covers both in-person and online delivery, and the EEF notes that the format is less important than the quality of the tutor and the consistency of the sessions.

The DfE's National Tutoring Programme, which ran from 2020 to 2024, included both in-school in-person tutoring and school-led online tutoring, with similar reported outcomes. The key variables were session regularity (at least weekly), tutor subject knowledge, and whether sessions were focused on specific gaps rather than general coverage.

This means the online vs. in-person question, while worth thinking through, is secondary to: is the tutor good? Are sessions consistent? Is the content targeted to what this child actually needs?

What is in-person tutoring?

In-person tutoring involves a human tutor coming to the family home, or the student travelling to the tutor's premises or a tutoring centre. Sessions are typically one hour, one to three times per week. The tutor is physically present with the student.

Strengths of in-person tutoring:

Physical presence can help some students focus, particularly younger or more distracted learners

The tutor can see a student's written work in real time, including on physical worksheets and textbooks

Better for subjects with practical or hands-on elements (though rare at KS3)

Some students find a warm human presence more motivating

Limitations of in-person tutoring:

Travel time and logistics restrict availability — tutor and student must be in the same area

Typically the most expensive format: £30–£60 per hour is common in most parts of England, rising to £50–£100 in London

Narrower pool of tutors — you are limited to who lives nearby

Scheduling is less flexible and cancellations are more disruptive

What is online tutoring?

Online tutoring takes place via video call — Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or a tutoring platform's own interface. The tutor and student share a screen, work on digital whiteboards, and discuss materials over video. The tutor is remote.

Strengths of online tutoring:

Wider choice of tutors: you can access the best-matched specialist regardless of geography

Typically 20–40% cheaper than in-person for equivalent quality

More flexible scheduling — a 45-minute online session is easier to fit around school commitments than a home visit

Sessions can be recorded (with consent) for the student to review

Research tools and resources can be shared directly on screen

Limitations of online tutoring:

Requires a reliable internet connection and appropriate device

Some students find it harder to concentrate without a physical presence in the room

Technical difficulties occasionally interrupt sessions

The tutor cannot see the student's physical workspace or body language as readily

Side-by-side comparison

Criterion | In-person tutoring | Online tutoring
Typical cost per hour | £30–£60 (outside London); £50–£100 (London) | £20–£45 depending on tutor
Tutor availability | Local only | National and international
Flexibility | Lower — fixed day, travel needed | Higher — flexible scheduling
Session recording | Not standard | Available on most platforms
Works for easily distracted learners | Often better | Depends on home environment
Suitable for maths and written subjects | Yes | Yes
Cancellation disruption | Higher | Lower
Works for students with physical disabilities | Requires reasonable adjustments | Generally more accessible
Best for | Younger KS3 students; students needing accountability | Older KS3 students; students with specific subject needs

Does format matter for KS3 subjects?

For most KS3 subjects — maths, English, science, history, geography, languages — online tutoring works as well as in-person. Digital whiteboards allow equation-solving, annotation, essay planning, and graph work. Source analysis in history, structured paragraphs in English, and algebraic working in maths all translate naturally to the online format.

The one area where in-person has a clear advantage is practical work: a student who needs support with GCSE Art coursework, for example, benefits from someone who can physically examine the work. At KS3 this is rare; the core examined subjects are all well-suited to online delivery.

Which suits different types of KS3 student?

Online tutoring tends to suit: Year 8 and 9 students who are comfortable with technology; students in areas with limited local tutor availability; families with busy or unpredictable schedules; students needing a specialist in a less-common subject; and situations where cost is a meaningful factor.

In-person tutoring tends to suit: Year 7 students making the transition from primary school; students who struggle significantly with self-regulation and focus without adult presence; students working toward entrance exams for selective or independent schools where the tutor also provides pastoral reassurance; and households without reliable broadband.

What about hybrid and AI-supplemented models?

A growing number of families use a hybrid approach: one weekly in-person or online session with a human tutor, supplemented by an AI tutor for additional practice days. This structure — human relationship and strategy once a week, AI-supported retrieval practice throughout the week — is cost-effective and aligns with what the EEF evidence says works: regular, targeted practice with feedback.

AI tutoring platforms designed for KS3 can provide daily adaptive practice at a fraction of the cost of additional human sessions. They do not replace the relationship and subject expertise of a skilled human tutor, but they extend the weekly practice time in a way that a single session per week cannot match.

Frequently asked questions

Is online tutoring as effective as in-person for GCSE preparation?

For the core examined subjects — maths, English, sciences, and humanities — yes. The EEF evidence on one-to-one tuition does not show a systematic advantage for in-person over online delivery when tutor quality and session consistency are controlled for. The practical benefits of online tutoring (wider tutor pool, lower cost, greater flexibility) often lead to better session consistency, which is a key driver of outcomes.

How much does KS3 tutoring cost in the UK?

In-person tutoring in England typically costs £30–£60 per hour outside London and £50–£100 per hour in Greater London. Online tutoring for equivalent quality typically runs £20–£45 per hour. Both compare to zero-cost options like Khan Academy (video and exercises) and £10–£20/month AI tutoring platforms that supplement but do not replace one-to-one support.

How do I find a good KS3 tutor online?

Reputable UK tutoring platforms (Tutorful, MyTutor, Tutor Hunt) list tutors by subject, key stage, and hourly rate. Look for tutors with experience in the relevant exam board (AQA, Edexcel, OCR), a degree in the subject, and reviews from other KS3 families. For maths and sciences, subject-specialist knowledge is particularly important; for English, ask to see a sample essay feedback before committing to sessions.

Can my Year 7 child use online tutoring?

Yes, but it works best with parental involvement at first. Year 7 students (age 11–12) often benefit from a parent being in the house during online sessions, at least initially, to help with login, technical issues, and to ensure the child is engaged. Most platform tutors are experienced with young secondary students and will adapt their communication style. By Year 8 most students are comfortable with the format independently.

For curriculum-aligned AI tutoring to supplement your child's KS3 sessions, see aitutors.me.