For students who are finding a subject difficult or who just want to better understand a challenging concept, ACG Strathallan’s student tutoring programme is a welcome source of support. But the benefits of the programme extend far beyond improving academic performance.

Isabella Ellery, year 10, is one of about 60 students receiving tuition from a more senior peer. Tutored in maths, Isabella says her year 12 tutor has not only helped her develop a better understanding of difficult topics like trigonometry but also taught her skills and strategies she can apply to a range of mathematical problems. 

“I’ve learnt how to break things down into smaller steps, and we practice a lot, so I don’t feel as lost in class as I used to be,” she says. 

The reinforcement of classroom learning is an important factor in making learning ‘stick’ which is why teacher-led tutorials in a range of subjects are offered at lunchtime and after school. These are well-attended, but the additional support provided by a senior student tutor in a one-to-one setting away from the pressure of the classroom can make a real difference to a student’s confidence.

Having just learned the material themselves, senior students can often explain concepts in a way that resonates better with junior students, which is reinforced by Isabella who says that her tutor “explains things in a way I understand and uses examples that make sense to me.” 

Better understanding, improved grades, increased confidence … the benefits of the programme are clear. But the tutee isn’t the only one reaping the rewards. 

Year 12 student, Naesha Cherian, tutors students in IGCSE physics as well as year 10 and IGCSE maths. She became a tutor because she herself found some concepts difficult to master as a junior student. “Over time, I developed creative memory strategies and new ways of looking at concepts that helped everything click.” Now, she wants to pass those strategies on to students who are in the same position she once was.

Naesha expresses real joy in being a tutor, saying that one of the most rewarding parts of the role is “seeing the spark in a student’s eyes when a concept finally clicks.” She says it is “incredibly fulfilling” watching her students grow in confidence and understanding. “What motivates me most is my students coming back to me, jumping up and down with successes.   It’s moments like these that remind me why I love tutoring.”

As Dean of Angus House, Marc Richardson, notes, being a tutor has the added benefit of developing valuable skills. “It allows those seniors to take on more of a leadership role and this means that they gain invaluable experience that will set them up for life in the real world,” he says.

Naesha can see the impact of her own experience as a tutor. “Tutoring has helped me grow both academically and personally. It has strengthened my understanding of the subjects I teach, as I’ve learned to explain topics in multiple ways to suit different learning styles. I’ve also developed greater patience and empathy which are important skills when working with students.” And she says that managing tutoring alongside her other school commitments has taught her valuable time management and organisational skills.

Tuition is most frequently requested in maths, but is offered in a range of subjects across all year levels. Referral to the programme is usually made by a teacher or parent, although sometimes the House Dean will identify a need as part of the regular reporting process. Marc explains that once students are identified they are matched with a tutor “based on personality type and interests so that there is a stronger chance of forming a connection. We believe that there will need to be some sort of relationship that develops out of the pairing.”

It's these positive relationships between students of different year levels that brings about another advantage of the programme - peer-to-peer tutoring fosters a supportive and collaborative environment. As a result, the whole school community benefits. From boosting academic performance to developing leadership skills, the student tutoring programme is a unique opportunity for students to help each other thrive.