FINDING THE RIGHT TUTOR FOR YOUR CHILD

by Kip McGrath Walkden

More parents than ever before are tur ning to private tutors to supplement their children’s education. Whether your child has important exams approaching, is struggling to keep up with their peers, is nding homework dif cult or just lacking in con dence, could private tuition be the answer for you? Before you begin here are a few things you might like to consider

What’s in a name?

Be thorough when you do your research. Anyone can claim to be a ‘tutor’, but even a 1st class degree in maths doesn’t necessarily make an effective one! Look for a tutor that has quali ed teacher status and has relevant school teaching experience. If you decide to consider a private tutor, ask to see their teaching credentials and references, and if youinquire with a specialist tuition centre, check that their tutors are qualified teachers rather than ‘instructors’ or ‘assistants’

Safety first

If you are using a tuition centre, check whether they are OFSTED registered. A centre who has gone the extra mile shows you that they have thorough procedures in place regarding the child’s well-being, safeguarding and security Plus, you may also be able to save some money by using ’Tax Free Childcare’ to pay for the tuition Private tutors operating from home need a valid DBS certi cate which shows you that they are not barred from working with children.

Groups or One to One?

There are many different models of tuition for you to choose from The most common options are:

(i) Employ a tutor to work 1:1 with your child, either in your home, at their home or online. (ii) Take your child to a ‘group tutor’ or (iii) Enroll at a tuition centre.

Tuition centres have permanent premises and tend to offer individual tuition within a small group setting ‘Group tutors’ teach a small group of children together, often from their home or a public building

When is the right time to start?

It depends on your reasons for tuition If you have received feedback from school, or just have a ‘feeling’ that your child is behind or is lacking in con dence, the sooner you act the better If your child has important exams coming up tuition may be the difference between a pass or a fail. Even children who don’t ‘need’ tuition often blossom and grow in con dence simply through the encouragement and personal feedback they receive. The most important thing is to make sure your tutor or tuition centre understands your motivations and goals for tuition, that way they can work together with you to achieve the best for your child.

How much does it cost?

eThe price of tuition varies depending on the setting, subject, exam level and experience of the tutor. You should expect to pay around £25-£45 an hour for the services of well qualified and professional tutors.

FOR MORE ADVICE, OR TO CHAT ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S NEEDS, GET IN TOUCH WITH US AT:

Kip McGrath Walkden Tel: 0161 790 2100