The short answer

Choose tutoring when a child is broadly settled in an education setting and needs focused help with a subject, skill or transition. Consider an online school when the child needs a daily timetable, several subjects, regular teacher contact, pastoral support and a planned route to GCSEs or A-Levels. Some families use both: an online school provides the core programme and a specialist tutor supports a particular barrier.

Neither label guarantees good SEN provision. Ask what the child will actually experience each week, who is responsible for planning, how progress is recorded and how adults respond when lessons become difficult. An online classroom can reduce sensory or travel pressures, but it still needs thoughtful adjustments. A tutor can build trust quickly, but one hour of excellent tuition does not by itself create a full education.

What a structured online school normally adds

• A timetable: predictable live lessons, deadlines and breaks can reduce the executive-function load of deciding what to do next.
• A full subject offer: English, maths, science and options can be taught through one coordinated plan rather than several separate tutors.
• Teacher and pastoral contact: a form tutor or wellbeing lead can notice patterns in attendance, confidence and workload.
• Progress evidence: reports, marked work and mocks can help the family see whether the programme is moving towards a qualification.
• Peer contact: some providers offer live group lessons, clubs and moderated communication, although the quality varies.

Ask about class size, lesson recordings, sensory expectations, camera policy, movement breaks, one-to-one help and the provider’s SENDCo. A school that says “we support everyone” should be able to explain how support is identified and reviewed.

What private tutoring can do well

A specialist tutor may be the better first step when a child is recovering from a difficult experience, has a narrow learning gap or needs a flexible pace around therapy and appointments. One-to-one work can make it easier to adjust language, repetition and materials. A tutor may also help a child prepare for a return to school or an online-school trial.

There are limits. A tutor may not provide a complete curriculum, safeguarding and pastoral system, peer experience, formal reports or an exam entry. Several tutors can also create a fragmented week, with parents coordinating timetables and explaining the same needs repeatedly. Ask every tutor what they are qualified and insured to provide, how they communicate concerns and whether they can work with other professionals.

Qualifications and exam planning

If GCSEs or A-Levels matter, start with the qualification, not the marketing. An online school should name the awarding organisation, specification and exam route. A tutoring arrangement may prepare a student academically, but an approved centre still needs to make the entry and manage relevant assessments. The JCQ private-candidate guidance explains that candidates register through an approved school, college or other centre, and that centres set processes, deadlines, fees and access arrangements.

Some GCSE subjects contain practical, speaking or non-exam elements. Ask who will supervise, authenticate and mark them. If access arrangements are needed, raise that with the centre at entry rather than assuming a tutor can authorise them. Our GCSEs and A-Levels guide explains the difference between learning online and sitting the final assessment.

Where an EHCP fits

An EHCP is not simply a voucher for any service a parent prefers. The SEND Code of Practice is statutory guidance for the SEND system in England, and the local authority’s duties depend on the child’s circumstances and the provision in the plan.

Under section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014, a local authority in England may arrange special educational provision otherwise than in a school or post-16 institution only if it is satisfied that provision in such a setting would be inappropriate, and it must consult the parent or young person. That is a specific decision, not an automatic consequence of choosing an online school. If funding or EOTAS is part of the question, speak to the local authority and obtain independent SEND advice before deregistering or signing a contract.

A child waiting for an assessment or plan still needs a workable education. Share current reports, school strategies and professional recommendations with any provider. Keep copies of correspondence and ask for a written explanation of what the online school can and cannot deliver. Our SEN online-school guide is a starting point, not legal advice.

A simple comparison checklist

Make the choice child-specific

Ask the child what makes learning hard: noise, uncertainty, handwriting, social demand, pace, travel, fatigue or a particular subject. Then test the proposed solution against a normal week, not a brochure. A trial lesson can reveal whether the platform, teacher and class feel manageable. A tutor can be a useful bridge; an online school can be a complete framework. The best answer may change as confidence and needs change.

Online Schools is an independent matching service. Tell us the child’s needs, year group, current education, budget and whether you are considering tutoring, online school or both. We can discuss providers that are transparent about SEN support and qualifications, with no obligation to enrol.