What would attract you to a teacher/private tutor for your child

[FirePlaceLion]

I’d really value opinions here!

I’ve been a primary teacher for almost 2 decades and whilst I’ll always keep a day or two in school I much prefer 1-1 work with children.

I’ve never had any difficulties getting students and, said very humbly, I’ve been oversubscribed.

However the last 3 times I’ve advertised in my usual places gumtree and Facebook, I’ve and just one new student. I really prefer to work on a fully booked basis and will try to accommodate as I can. So for years I ran 5 hours on tuition on a Sunday to accommodate demand.

I’m interested if the current economic situation means that people aren’t as keen for private tutors?

where have you looked, if anywhere, for a tutor for your child?

I’ve never registered with any of the big agencies as I haven’t needed to.

many thanks

I think people are more likely to trust someone they found on one big agencies as they show if people have DBS checks.

If I was looking for a tutor I would go for big agency or personal recommendation/someone I know (eg. neighbours uni age child).

Word of mouth only. 11+ here rather than anything subject specific, but I literally used the lady my friend's children had been too.

I'm a primary tutor and I use Facebook as well as having a Google maps listing. I have a Facebook page that I regularly post on and then I share posts to local residents/ parents groups as and when I have a space. I post examples of activities we've enjoyed in sessions, information about me and how I might help, resources I use, occasional reviews etc. I tend to pick up most of my pupils via word of mouth now - it might be worth mentioning to your current families that you have a couple of spaces as they may assume you are full. They might be happy to recommend you in class WhatsApp groups etc.

We used tutors a couple of times and always found them by word of mouth.

Apart from one time, all the tutors were ex-teachers, I do think it makes a difference in knowing how the subject is actually taught in school.

But they do come with a price tag, for primary, so 7 years ago I paid £30/hour, for seconday it was £50/hour 3 years ago.

I think it depends why people choose tutors, we did it to cover existing gaps which were there because of COVID, illness and SEN, not to tutor for entrance exams or a better SATS. I know several parents doing this, no judgement but that would be something which would fall aside first if money is an issue.

Also, we preferred the tutor under the week to keep weekends free.

ex teacher
experience in age / subject / issue / exam I want help with
personality matches my DD
local / can come to my home (don't want via zoom)

Have found via tutor hunt and local facebook.

We've had one fantastic and 2 so-so tutors. Both the so-so ones I should have trusted my gut after 4 sessions and replaced sooner. One couldn't adjust down to my DD's level and the other was lovely just not right for what we needed.

I'm a tutor and all of my students have come by word of mouth. I only advertised once years ago and since then everybody has come to me because of personal recommendation.
That does mean it's hard to get started though and it is quite a competitive area. I had a woman in the same village a while back who was charging half of what I was - it didn't actually affect my business as much as I thought it would. I ended up with quite a lot of students from her because the parents weren't happy with her.

Can you ask some of your current parents to write a reference which you could add to a facebook page or posting?