What Should I Be Looking For In A Private Tutor?
If you’re considering private tuition for your child, whatever the reason, it can, of course, be a hugely beneficial move for their academic progress. But you’ll have their safety and wellbeing front of mind, whether the tutor is coming to your home, working with your child online or whether they will be attending a private tuition centre.
And this may be something you’ve not done before, meaning you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for, or the best questions to ask.
You’ll need, of course, to take into account your son or daughter’s preferences and to ask them what they would find most helpful. And then you’ll want to ask them at regular intervals how they’re getting on, both to be sure they’re happy and that you’re getting the results you and your child want. But there are a number of other things to take into account, including:
- References and vetting checks
Obviously you won’t want to agree anything without the right vetting. An up-to-date enhanced DBS certificate (issued within the last three years) is essential, as are at least two references, for example from parents the tutor has previously worked with. No decent tutor should have any problem supplying these. And any good agency will also happily confirm that these checks are complete.
- Boundaries and expectations
Before you commit to anything, discuss appropriate behaviour and boundaries, for both online and in-person tuition. How, for example, will you communicate outside sessions? Clearly, this should be done through yourself or your partner – and the tutor should have no direct contact with the child outside the tuition. For online tutoring, you can sit in or stay within earshot – leave the room to the door where they’re working open.
Be open in discussing any concerns with the tutor or agency, and ask how often they’ll provide progress updates.
- Past experience
Is the tutor or agency experienced at successfully teaching the age and level your child is at? What are their qualifications? Do they know the exam board your child is following or the entrance exams for the school you want them to attend?
- Personal qualities
Look for genuine passions for teaching and learning and investment in your child’s academic development. Do you think the tutor will be able to display empathy with your child and see things from their point of view? Will your child trust and respect them and does the tutor’s personality seem to be the right ‘fit’ generally? How professional do they seem?
- How long can they commit for?
It’s reasonable to expect a commitment of at least one academic year. Otherwise the tutor should be able to work until the relevant exam you’re aiming for takes place. It’s also best to have a regular time and day for the tuition, so that the rest of your live can fit around the sessions with minimal hassle.
- Do they work with an agency?
With an agency, all the necessary security vetting should be in place, and the quality of the service provided a given. Hiring this support should also be quicker via an agency. Plus an agency will know which of their tutors will be the best match for your child.
It’s worth asking how any prospective agency how they vet staff, what experience and qualifications they demand, and how their recruitment processes work.
- Value
As when buying in any other service, you’ll want to discuss price. Fees vary considerably, and will also indicate tutors’ experience. You may decide, for example, to pay for fewer hours with a very experienced tutor who charges a little more, in the interests of gaining greater value.
After-school tuition from StudyBox
At StudyBox, we offer great-value online tuition tailored precisely to your child’s needs. But most of our work takes place at our four centres in Sutton, Croydon, Wallington and West Malling. We provide high-quality teaching in maths, English, science and kids’ coding, at levels ranging from SATs to 11+ exams and GCSEs, for children aged between five and 17.
Browse our website and book your free trial today, with a view to investing and boosting your child’s education.
