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According to a survey conducted earlier this year, increasing numbers of secondary schools are cutting back on the creative arts. Fuelled by funding pressures and limited resources, what’s the true cost of cutting creativity from the curriculum?

With creativity coming under threat in secondary schools around the country, we share our thoughts on why the arts matter – and how you can ensure your child receives the well-rounded education they deserve.

This month we talk to drama tutor Charlotte Wyatt about the important role the arts play in education, and how cultivating creativity benefits students across every discipline.

This month, Figtree founder Ariana shares her thoughts on what makes a great tutor, how she goes about finding the right fit for Figtree – and who she’d most like to see join her team.

As the demand for private tuition grows, so does the wealth of tutoring talent on offer. From retired schoolteachers to young graduates, English experts to maths masters, the tutoring community is wonderfully diverse – but what does it take to become part of the Figtree family?

The private tuition industry is booming. Increasing competition, over-stretched schools and an ever-increasing pace of change are prompting parents to turn to tutors to give their children the edge. But with a proliferation of agencies, freelancers and online giants all promising results, what should parents really be looking for when choosing a tutor for their family?

This month we spoke to Kian, a Figtree student and keen tennis player about the benefits of tuition, his hopes for the future and why he’d most like to have dinner with Roger Federer.

September – the time of year when children across the country leave the nest and head off to university. But why are increasing numbers choosing to fly that bit further from home and attend colleges in the US? With a 31% increase in British applications to American schools over the last four years, what’s driving students to look Stateside for their further education?

This month we reported on the rising number of British students heading to America for their further education. But how do you decide whether this is the right direction for you? We spoke to our US college advisory team to find out what students need to consider when choosing to study abroad.

Get your brain back into gear and get ready for the new school year with our fun, family riddles. Shown to improve memory and boost mental agility, see how many you can solve.

As September approaches, our thoughts inevitably turn to the new school term – and for some, this can be a time of intense anxiety. With children and parents potentially feeling overwhelmed by the impending change, we share our top tips for beating those back-to-school blues.

While the new school year heralds new opportunities, it’s becoming an increasingly difficult time for parents and children alike. With a recent study revealing 61% of parents struggle to sleep at this time of year, what’s causing such anxious nights and stress-filled days?

The stressful summer exam period is over, but following the introduction of a new GCSE assessment structure, many students are facing an anxious wait to results day.

With this year’s 16-year-olds the first to sit the majority of their GCSEs under the new system, we spoke to some of our Figtree students to find out how the changes affected them – and what year 10 pupils can do to prepare.

Give your brain a workout this month with Figtree’s quick-fire quiz. Perfect for long car journeys or rainy afternoons, you’ll need the whole family to crack all twenty questions.

With the weather brightening and the end of term looming, thoughts are turning to that glorious two-month stretch of freedom. But as our lives get busier, and academic pressures increase, how do families make the most of their summer holidays together?

According to a survey from activity app Hoop, one in four parents suffers from ‘FOSH’ – fear of the summer holidays. And with increasing numbers of families relying on two, full-time incomes, it’s no wonder that the expense – and sheer logistics – of the summer holidays strike dread into parents’ hearts.

Get your summer off to an entertaining start with our fiendish family brainteasers. Designed to get everyone thinking, these riddles are a great way to give the mind a workout and have some fun at the same time.

First established in the late 1960s, the International Baccalaureate (IB) was once the preserve of globetrotting families and diplomats’ children. But with 155 schools in the UK now offering the IB to its pupils, and universities placing increasing value on IB applications, the higher education landscape is looking decidedly more global.

With increasing numbers of schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) instead of A-levels, how do pupils decide which route to take? A necessary step to further education, it’s vital students make the right choice to ensure they get the very best from their last two years of school. Here are our thoughts on how the two stack up – and what to consider before making a decision.

Figtree tutor and One Degree volunteer, Rudi Moghaddam talks to us about maths, mentoring and the magic of a little self-belief.

Last year saw the introduction of a new assessment structure for GCSEs across England. Part of a parcel of revisions to the curriculum initiated in 2014, the bulk of the changes to GCSEs come into effect this summer. So what exactly is happening, and what does it mean for students preparing to take their exams in just one month’s time?

Studies have shown that stress can adversely impact children’s exam performance. So with changes to the GCSE assessment structure coming into full force this year, proactively coping with stress is more important that ever. Here are our top tips on how to spot – and stay on top – of exam anxiety.

Established English tutor, accomplished writer and passionate founder of Figtree’s first creative writing class, Khaled Naim is helping children rediscover the joy of the written word. We talk to Khaled about his tutoring career and how creative writing can benefit students across the curriculum.

Whether it’s in preparation for an exam or for support in a specific subject, to boost your child’s confidence or boost their chances of entry to a top school, the decision to start private tuition can be a difficult one.

Increasing numbers of parents are turning to private tuition. But with their children already attending often excellent – and sometimes expensive – schools, why do they feel the need to top up their education?

This month we talk to Figtree tutor Eve about her background in drama, her linguistic and literary work, and why she tries to bring a creative touch to every session.

The Internet continues to revolutionise the way we live at an extraordinary pace, with digital technology now an integral part of family life.

This month, we’re looking at why increasing numbers of students and parents are switching on to the benefits of online tutoring. With the trend clearly here to stay, here are our thoughts on how technology is changing tutoring for the better.

This month we talk to Rishi Sankar, our resident 11-plus expert, on how his former career at the BBC has shaped the tutor he’s become.

Social media has become a huge part of the way we interact in the digital age, but a recent report by Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield paints a worrying picture of young children dependent on ‘likes’ and comments for personal affirmation.

This month, we reported on a study into social media use by Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield. Her findings raise considerable concerns about children’s increasing dependence on ‘likes’ and comments for acceptance and affirmation. But with social media here to stay, is switching off the answer?

This month, we talk to Figtree tutor Aoife Loftus about what makes her tick and the secrets of a successful tutor-student relationship.

This month, we talk to founder Ariana Azad about her career, her work and her vision for Figtree – both now and into the future.

Last month, the North London Independent Girls’ School Consortium announced they’d be scrapping the 11-plus exam from 2019. Concerned about the wellbeing of children in the face of pushy parents over-prepping, the 12 schools in the group will instead ask for a verbal reasoning test and an interview with applicants.

Your insider guide to tackling entrance exams at any age.