Outdated school curricula are failing students who have talents outside the mainstream subjects.
Mainstream education still leans on a one-size-fits-all model of rigid timetables, standardised testing, and narrow definitions of success. But what happens when a child’s gifts, passions, or pace don’t fit that mould? When their brilliance shows up on a tennis court, a film set, or a concert stage rather than in an exam hall?
At Tutors International, we’re seeing a steady rise in families seeking private, residential tutors who can balance professional-level training with an exceptional education. Parents don't want to abandon academics, but instead, design an education that recognises who the child really is and helps them thrive, both academically and vocationally.
Education centered on the child
Adam Caller, Founder and CEO of Tutors International, says:
“Traditional schooling simply isn’t compatible with the lifestyle of a talented young person. When you’re training intensively, competing, or travelling, you need a curriculum that moves with you — not one that makes you choose.”
Private tuition allows for that flexibility. Lessons can take place at home, abroad, or between training sessions. When a private tutor lives and travels with the family, they become part of the wider support system, ensuring continuity and calm in a demanding lifestyle.
In recent years, we’ve written about families whose children struggle to engage with conventional schooling. The reasons vary: anxiety, neurodiversity, or simply feeling unseen in a system that values conformity over curiosity. While society has evolved towards flexibility and well-being, schools have remained rigid and industrial in design. Heather Rhodes, Principal at our partners, Highgrove Online School, notes:
“Adults now work flexibly, remotely, and creatively. Yet children are still expected to learn the same material, at the same pace, in groups of thirty. The system hasn’t kept up.”
For some, that rigidity leads to school refusal. For others, it simply limits opportunity. Either way, the message is the same: education must adapt to the child, not the other way round.
Education without limits
Bespoke tutoring means that education isn’t limited by what’s on a school timetable. Some of our placements have combined A-level Physics with Olympic training, or GCSE study with intensive violin practice or equestrian competition.
In many cases, the tutor brings specialist experience of their own — whether that’s sailing qualifications, diving instruction, or a background in the creative arts. This hybrid expertise helps bridge the academic and vocational worlds, allowing students to build intellectual depth alongside their chosen craft.
When education is designed around the child’s strengths, motivation soars. As Adam explains:
“The right tutor recognises that learning doesn’t just happen behind a desk. When education is designed around the child’s strengths and passions, motivation soars and so does achievement.”
Why families choose this path
Families who choose private tutoring for talented children often tell us they were torn between whether to pursue their child’s gift, or prioritise their schooling. But that’s a false choice, because a personalised, full-time home tutor makes it possible to do both — and to do both exceptionally well.
The pandemic changed people's expectations of education. Parents saw first-hand that schooling could be calmer, more productive, and more humane. For many children (especially those juggling high-level pursuits or managing anxiety) learning at home was a revelation. So for parents, knowing that it is possible to homeschool well to fit in with their child's individual strengths, hobbies, interests or even struggles, it brings peace of mind. For the student, homeschooling with a tutor fosters independence, discipline, and genuine enthusiasm for learning.
As one parent told us:
"[Our son's] anxiety was crippling him in school. Tutors International’s personalised approach helped him not only catch up academically but also develop coping mechanisms. He’s now enrolled in a prestigious engineering programme and thriving.”
The secret to this lies in bespoke recruitment
At Tutors International, our role is to make the balance between personal interests and academics possible. Every search we undertake is bespoke, to match the family’s lifestyle, educational goals, and the student’s specific ambitions. Whether that means a bilingual tutor with sailing experience, or an educator comfortable supporting professional musicians, the recruitment process is designed around finding the perfect fit.
After more than two decades in specialist tutoring, we’ve seen how transformative this can be. Families no longer have to choose between opportunity and education. With the right tutor, they can have both, perfectly aligned.
If your child’s talent demands flexibility, or your family’s lifestyle makes mainstream schooling unworkable, a bespoke tutor could be the key. Start a confidential enquiry using our contact form.
