market research for a friend - would home edding parents pay for someone to tutor your children?

[woowa]

I'm a home educator, and have a afriend who is considering it, but has an idea of how to be an earner when both her children are at school from september. She would like home-educators' opinions if you don't mind? Thanks! This is what she says

"I am a qualified teacher with many years experience, and a parent. Would you pay for specialist support in KS1/2/3/4 in maths, english and humanities, prep for GCSE included if wanted. Stand-alone topics delivered if parents not confident in delivering one or more aspects of the curriculum they are using, i.e., short-term support is fine."

We'd love some feedback if you have time. Thank you.

[streakybacon]

I use tutors for IGCSE subjects so I'd consider employing anyone who seemed suitable to my ds's needs. However, a lot of home educators run to a tight budget so your friend would have to consider her costs, and perhaps offer a reduced rate for home educators. It's probably a decent compromise so that she could work during the day - most tutors work after school hours.

[Saracen]

I'd consider using a tutor - have used tutors - but I think your friend needs more experience of home education before she'll be able to offer her services successfully.

Among the HE parents I know, personal recommendations of tutors are prized. We tend to look for someone with experience of home education who understands that the approach is very different to that used in schools. Your friend's description of what she is offering suggests that she would not have the outlook and experience I'd be wanting: to me, the description says "school" all over it.

I would advise that she allow herself plenty of time to get well stuck into home education before revisiting this idea. She needs to get some personal experience of HE under her belt, chat with many different parents who are doing it, read up on the different educational approaches which are used in home education, and visit some HE groups to get more insight.

[FavadiCacao]

I know many Home educators who use tutors. I'm currently considering a tutor for one of the GCSE subjects. (I don't want to be the teacher that killed the love for the subject )

[Phizzimum]

I think your friend will have no trouble finding work - especially as a former teacher. The part about "short term support" being available would appeal to me. In the run up to GCSE's a couple of my friends are using tutors - one for English, one for Maths - and I'm paying for my two to have art lessons (not for GCSE)

Is she thinking of face to face tutoring or via Skype? Local Home Ed online groups will allow tutors to offer their services. There's also a national group for home ed families doing exam which allows tutors to advertise once a week.

[woowa]

thank you so much for your responses, and for being generally encouraging. I'll pass on these opinions, and i have no doubt she'll take the advice to look into the different homeschooling philosophies/systems, it is great advice.
Thanks!

[woowa]

thank you for that three tomatoes. My friend really appreciates all input!

[morethanpotatoprints]

We use tutors but are lucky we have friends who teach and will do it in return for barter. If we came unstuck with a subject and had no friends who offered then yes, we would pay.
I do agree with comments about your friend actually experiencing H.ed for a while first, this will be invaluable experience as we all do things differently.
if you asked me about Maths and English for e.g I wouldn't necessarily want to be confined to the NC and may want to omit or add certain topics.

[maisiechain]

yes I would use tutors if the need arose. I imagine we won't need anything like this till secondary level, though I do pay a neighbour to teach my DD guitar because his rates are so good. The only other thing I might consider at Primary would be a language, but tbh there are so many talented parents in our HE community that we swap and share our skills......and this comes much cheaper than a tutor!
Money would be a huge factor for me, the price would have to be very reasonable.