Private tutoring at transition points in the English education system: its nature, extent and purpose

were then invited to participate and if they were unable to do so, another school in a similar
area was approached.

As the sampling progressed it became clear that insufficient secondary schools would be
obtained in the selected LEAs due to a large number of schools being unable to take part in
the research. The main reasons given were that the school was already involved in other
projects or was under too much pressure. The number of rejections was greatest among LEAs
in the city and suburban areas and additional LEAs with similar characteristics were therefore
recruited. Information on the percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals, obtained
from publicly available information such as school inspection reports. was used to check the
composition of the sample.

The final sample comprised 30 primary schools in 9 LEAs and 34 secondary schools and
colleges in 10 LEAs. In all, 29 schools contributed to the Year 11 sample and 28 to the Year
13 sample. As some secondary schools did not have sixth forms (years 12 and 13), additional
colleges in similar areas were included.

Pupil samples. Samples of 50-60 pupils (two classes) were drawn from each target year
group, year 6, year 11 and year 13. In the larger schools, classes were selected on a random
basis to be representative of the year group in terms of socio-economic background and
attainment. In primary schools with two classes or fewer, all pupils were included. The final

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