‘There is absolutely no need for any child applying to our school to be tutored,’ said the headmistress of a prestigious London day school during the Q&A session. Relieved, I left the hall to wander around the booths in a nearby room. I was struck by the many tutoring agencies, offering advice, courses and books on how to boost your child’s chances of securing a place at an elite school. In light of the headmistress’s earlier comment, I couldn’t help but recall the famous words attributed to P.T. Barnum. ‘A sucker is born every minute.’
The majority of applicants are tutored to the hilt
Not long after, I found myself on a tour of a reputable school for possible 7+ entry for my son. As we visited the impressive sports fields, one parent asked the guide whether tutoring was recommended for the entrance exam. I nearly swallowed my tongue when the guide replied ‘It would be a good idea – yes.’
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