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How to tell if my child's tutor is worth the investment?

  1. 07/09/2018
It is no secret that the UK's tutoring business is worth billions of pounds. Parents from all walks of life are keen to get extra help for their children at a cost, which they are willing to bear. The truth is that not all tutors are born equal! That is to say that not all tutors are worth their salt. Countless tutoring agencies use unqualified and inexperienced tutors to cut operational costs. Some use students as tutors. Others use newly qualified teachers who are still young in the profession and they themselves need support to become fully- fledged teachers.

How to tell if I am getting my money's worth?
A good effective tutor will be professional and punctual not tardy and laid back. Also, you will know that you have made the right decision when you get regular updates on your child's progress in the form of parent reports both written and formal and verbal and informal. You will see evidence of your child becoming more engaged with the subject, this means that you will see them spending more time on the subject than they did before. Most importantly, of course, is that your child's teachers at school will convey positive messages about your child's progress after considerable time with their tutor.


What are the signs that my child's tutor is effective?
  • Regular homework is set for your child outside the class
  • All tasks done by your child be it classwork or homework is marked in detail by the tutor
  • Comments about what your child is doing well and what your child needs to do to improve is evident in the marking
  • Evidence of the tutor using worksheets or resource materials that explain concepts clearly and fully
  • You get regular updates about your child's punctuality, homework and progress
  • The tutor models what he/she expects your child to do and show to achieve the grades they are working towards
  • The tutor is quick to identify your child's individual needs and adapt the learning to suit your child
  • The tutor is clear about where your child is now and where he/she will get to in given time frames
  • The tutor is able to provide sound advice about how you can support your child at home



What specifically should I look out for when choosing a tutor?

  • The tutor is an fully qualified teacher with more than 5 years experience
  • The tutor is fully conversant with recent exam changes at GCSE- preferably working at a school
  • The tutor has experience marking GCSE exams at National level- even more so the recent GCSE in the last 1-2 years
  • The tutor is DRB checked
  • The tutor has proven track record of success with moving students who come in with a poor grade and end with a much improved grade that is the tutor adds value to the child's grade



    • What warning signs should I look out for that my child's tutor is not suitable?

  • The tutor sits back and lets your child work silently for the hour-with the occasional intervention from the tutor
  • The tutor lets your child work for most of the lesson from a textbook or study guide
  • The tutor does not mark and provide frequent feedback for your child's work
  • The tutor just uses ticks and crosses on your child's work without any explanations and comments
  • The tutor does not know how your child learns best and expects your child to understand just by being told what to do
  • The tutor does not check your child's understanding during the lesson.
  • The tutor does not create new and fresh worksheets that are suited to your child's needs but uses the same resources from many years ago and also the same for all the students
  • The tutor does not model for your child what a grade 5 or 6 or 7 or 9 looks like
  • The tutor is not conversant with the difference between a grade 5 and 8 for example.
  • The tutor is content with covering little work in the time - pace is unsuitable to achieve top grades



    • What questions should I ask my child's tutor?

  • How often should you expect your child to be given homework- is there a homework schedule?
  • How often should you expect a parent report?
  • What grade does the tutor predict for your child and why?
  • What advice can they give to support your child at home?
  • How often will your child's work be marked?
  • How many students will there be in the class?
  • Is the work going to be differentiated -that means suited to each child's ability?
  • Is the work being covered suited to the requirements of the new GCSEs (Grades 1 to 9) in England introduced in 2017 for English and Maths and 2018 for all other subjects?



    • Finally, do not be worried about asking too many questions. Any tutor of merit would welcome a parent who shows genuine interest in their child's education. Make sure that you are kept informed. Be sure that you are given some assurances about your child's progress. After all, you are paying for a service. If you are unhappy, look elsewhere for a better service provider!


    Writer: Teacher, Head of Faculty of English and tutor of English


    Tutor with over 25 years experience teaching English at secondary schools. Works at G²E Tutors- tutoring secondary school students studying towards their English GCSEs.