SEND Early Years Education Crisis: Can Home Tutoring Help?

There are many ways in which home tutoring can be beneficial to students of all ages and all abilities, but it may be particularly useful if considered early on in a child’s scholastic journey to help support them and ensure that their development stays on track.

Interestingly, new research from the Education Policy Institute – investigating the disadvantage gap in England – has found that there is a growing attainment gap for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those who are economically disadvantaged.

Previous studies show that 40 per cent of the gap observable by age 16 has already emerged by the time children are five, earmarking this as a crucial time to tackle inequalities later in life.

This latest report found that SEND children have some of the biggest attainment gaps across all groups, with pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) more than two years behind their peers by the end of primary school. Meanwhile, those receiving SEN support were 16.8 months behind.

For SEND children in reception year, those with an EHCP were 20.1 months behind their peers, with those in receipt of SEN support found to be 12.6 months behind in 2024. This is the biggest the gap has been since the annual report was first published back in 2013.

How can home tutoring help?

Early intervention for children is essential to help bridge this widening gap and this is where home tutoring can really come into its own for any child with additional needs.

SEN tutors are specifically trained to identify the unique learning needs of every child, helping them to develop their strengths and tackle their weaknesses. There is no one-size-fits-all approach and plans are adapted to suit the individual, creating a learning environment that is effective, supportive and highly engaging.

If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with the Home School Essex team today.