To return to maths tutoring after a long gap

[Neome]

In the past I taught and tutored maths over a wide age and ability range but for a variety of family reasons stopped all teaching over 10 years ago. I have studied even more maths since, just for the love of it, and took a break from the OU MSc when DS was born prematurely.

He's now heading towards school age and my current working pattern, which involves us being away from home regularly, will become impossible.

WIBU to deliver flyers/put up ads locally offering maths tutoring from (my) home?

I feel nervous when I think about going back to tutoring because of associated bad memories of the family situation when I stopped but it was a long time ago and had nothing to do with my love of maths or of teaching.



Unfortunately I don't have a PGCE (I had to defer at the last minute and the course closed before I could return) so supply teaching has never been an option.

[SecretMongoose]

I don't see why not? I'm considering starting some tutoring myself and have no teaching experience at all (just experience in the subject). I presume you will have to update yourself on the current syllabus but I don't see what other issues there may be

[JellyBelli]

I would love some Maths tutoring, I'm thinking of trying the GCSE again and I'm a bit nervous about it. Would you consider offering group sessions for adults who need a bit of help with everyday maths? That way people could share the cost. You could limit the class size.
You could also do it online via Skype.

[PurpleDaisies]

I tutor maths-there are always more pupils than I can fit in. There have been syllabus changes so you'll need to spend a bit of time on the exam board websites.

The only issue with tutoring is if you're doing it as a proper money making exercise, it can be difficult to do enough hours after school when the students are free without massively cutting into family time. I love it as a job though.

[Neome]

Yes Jelly I loved teaching adults (of all ages!) and small groups are a brilliant way to tutor. One of the best ways to create work for a parent who needs a reduced fee too.

I should investigate online contact for teaching ie Skype /moodle. I used to do it by phone when needed!

Thank you for the encouragement

[PurpleDaisies]

Good luck with your GCSE jelli. The key thing is practice, practice, more practice and then practice some more. Are you doing it through a college?

[Clarinet1]

Just a thought, if you were working with young or vulnerable people would parents/carers not expect you to have DBS clearance?

[PurpleDaisies]

You're right, people ask to see a DBS check clarinet.

[Neome]

I subscribe to DBS update service for another reason, I'm assuming that would be sufficient, what do you think?

[PurpleDaisies]

That'll be fine neome. My DBS check is for my role teaching Sunday school. As long as you've got one, I doubt anyone would query it further.

[Cary2012]

I do private English tutoring, my colleague at work does private Maths tutoring, she is a qualified HLTA, but no PGCE.

It's all about confidence. Go for it!

Ad in local Parish magazine, cards in local shops?

Word of mouth is how I generally get students. Very busy with Year 11s from Easter until GCSE time. You will need to be aware of exam boards etc if you focus on this age range.

[Neome]

Which exam boards do you think I should look at Purple?

As a 'returner' what would it be reasonable to charge these days? I'm currently on a very low wage....

[Neome]

Thank you! Invaluable advice.

I was considering doing TEFL training partly to get my confidence back but also to potentially get some daytime employment.

[PurpleDaisies]

Have a look at which ones the local schools do. They're all pretty similar to be honest but it's important to have the right past papers! Again, look at what local tutors charge and go with the average. It's counter intuitive but if you go too cheap people won't want to use you because they'll question if you're any good.

[PurpleDaisies]

The other thing you could do is join an agency for a little while. I've never done this because the rates are pretty poor compared to what you could get alone as an established tutor but it could be a good short term way of getting your name out there.

[Ninjapie]

Think about registering with first tutors or tutor hunt.
They charge a one of fee to the parents for your detailsand nothing to the tutor.
If you look on their websites it will allow you to see other tutors in the area and how much they charge.

[Ninjapie]

Oh and you set your own rates with the above websites

[1hamwich4]

I've just done a PGCE and am seriously starting to investigate not being a full time teacher. It's just too ridiculous a job, as far as I can see.

I can understand tutoring hours being challenging to fit around kids. Would only tutoring on set evenings be workable, assuming the money stacked up? Or do people expect weekends and any evening they like?

[Cary2012]

I would suggest a google search of local private tutoring agencies. They often give an hourly fee and a list of qualifications.

Purple's right, don't charge too little, people will think they get what they pay for! See what local private tutors charge, and pitch yourself in the middle.

I started out because people approached me, because of my results with their kids in school. I charge a reasonable amount, but do two hours at a time, and always 1-1. I set homework, which goes down better with the parents than the students. Because the parents are paying, they make sure their kids knuckle down.

I know the syllabus inside out, various exam boards and have bought a lot of resources, so you may have an initial outlay.

[Cary2012]

1hamwich4, I usually do a couple of sessions on a Saturday. Run up to exams, every day Easter holidays and May half term. Sunday mornings in June, and every evening 5-7! But my students are GCSE and A level

[1hamwich4]

Hmm I think I could cope with a 5-7 slot if I was getting time with my kids at other points in the day. At the moment I'm literally working flat out 6 days a week (apart from the bedtime slot).

Do you find you can do thing like the school run/concerts etc?

[Neome]

Everything you are all saying is so helpful.I feel excited and inspired.

[DarklyDreamingDexter]

Sounds like a good idea and a good money spinner. Might need to familiarise yourself with the weird modern maths they teach these days first though.

[Cary2012]

My kids are all adults, I teach at a High School, tutor early evenings, weekends, school holidays. Am often up until midnight marking, but that's part of the job. Wouldn't have considered it when mine were younger.

[Neome]

Yes cary that's one reason I couldn't go back to school teaching even if there was a reasonable route. I was doing a similar mix with very long hours at one time.

I'm currently earning so little for quite a lot of hours that even a small amount of tutoring could reduce the amount of time away from home.

[1hamwich4]

Blimey. How do you keep up with it all??