Tutoring

[meerschweinchen]

I have been considering doing some tutoring. Currently teach secondary. I'm not sure how to go about finding work though. Has anyone here tutored before, and did you use agencies? If not, how did you advertise?

[CatKisser]

I advertised on Gumtree. First family I worked for were...difficult. I terminated that and became unpleasant, threatening to report me to my school - for what, exactly, I'm unsure!
Current family are lovely. Totally aware of their daughter's needs and flexible. I only do one a week but it's nice to get £20 mid week for a couple of bits of shopping.

[meerschweinchen]

Thank you. Would never have thought of Gumtree. You've answered my next question too, about how much to charge! That's terrible though that the first family were so unpleasant.

[Littlemisssunshine72]

I'm primary and have 4 tutees at mo- one through an agency, one from a private free ad ( local family magazine) and two from word of mouth.

[meerschweinchen]

Thanks for your reply. Think I'll start investigating private ads. It's also occurred to me to me - where do you do the tutoring? At their house or yours?

[Littlemisssunshine72]

At theirs.

[Kirsty0612]

We advertised on tutoring website. It costs nothing for tutor but tutee has to pay a fee to release ur details. We've had loads of work through that. You suspend your details once you've got enough tutees for that year. Think websites are first tutors, and tutorsuk. I tutor primary DH English.

[IsletsOfLangerhans]

I tutor and use the First tutors, UK tutors and tutorhunt websites. You don't have to pay anything as a tutor, so worth a shot. I typically pick up 7-8 students per year through that avenue (most of mine are word of mouth now, as I've been doing it 8 years). It's a good way to get started though. You can also find out what your local competition charges per hour.

[IsletsOfLangerhans]

There is a fairly active private tutoring forum over on the TES website, where you may find some useful information too.

[meerschweinchen]

That's interesting - I assumed you'd have to pay to advertise on a tutoring website. Will have a look. Also thanks for the tes suggestion, islets I use that site all the time for resources, but never look at the forums! Will take a look there now.

[breward]

Place an add in the local library, newsagents, parade of shops, parish magazine etc. Let colleagues know you are looking for tutees. Often teachers are asked by parents if they know anyone who could tutor their child. I have picked up many students this way.

[MagratGarlik]

I run a tuition business, not only offering tuition myself, but also employing other tutors. I work with tutors which I take on as employees, but most agencies expect their tutors to be self-employed. Having tutors who are employees means I sort out all the admin (which includes, but is not restricted to things like taxes etc) and means all the tutors have to do is turn up and teach.

Bare in mind that if you are doing it self-employed, you will need to register with HMRC for taxes (as you are already employed, you will be over the tax threshold), if you don't, you could end up with tax evasion on your DBS check in future. You will also need professional indemnity and public liability insurances, your union membership will not cover you for private tuition. There is also something of an ethical issue around tutoring children from the same school that you work in. I never send my tutors to children who attend schools they work in for this very reason.

Appropriate fees depend on experience and level of tuition. Remember that it is a different skill to classroom teaching, however, I'd work out your hourly rate in the classroom (for contact time) and use that as a rough guide. If you've no experience with one-to-one specifically you might want to charge a little less first whilst gaining experience.

[CindyLou]

Am impressed that teaching secondary you have the energy for tutoring .

[meerschweinchen]

Ha, I'm not sure I do! Actually, I only work part-time ( although I'm busy with my children when not at work) so I thought tutoring might be a good way to earn a bit more. After my second lot of mat leave, and with two children in childcare, I could really do with some extra money.

Magratgarlik thanks for all the information, that's really helpful. I knew about taxes, but didn't know about the public liability insurance etc. Is it really expensive? It might not be worth my while tutoring if it is. I was only thinking of doing 2-3 hours a week really.

I definitely wouldn't tutor any students from my school. I live in a different town from the one where I teach, so was hoping to get some local students to tutor.

[MagratGarlik]

Hi meerschweinchen, I'm not sure how much insurance is for individuals, as my policy covers me plus the others working for me. It's best to shop around though as prices do vary massively.