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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

GCSE tutor

39 replies

byjimminey · 22/05/2016 17:45

I've had a GCSE tutor for a few months now for my child. Exam is in a couple of days so I had arranged that the tutor would come later today for revision. She was going to confirm the exact time but didn't so sent her a text this morning. Turns out she isn't coming as she has gone away.

AIBU to think that isn't fair and if you are going away you tell your tutee instead of leaving them thinking you are coming? This is a qualified teacher so I assumed she would get the importance of it all.

OP posts:

monkeysox · 22/05/2016 20:47

She will he doing work on an evening at home too.
Just wanted to explain another point of view. She can't be at your Beck and call for an hour each week.

TheGoodEnoughWife · 22/05/2016 20:51

I agree, I have had this a bit atm and you do think surely they want the work/money as will stop once exams done?

And also would have been handy if they had been clear when first starting that they had lots of holiday at this time :-/

monkeysox · 22/05/2016 20:52

She'll probably have other tutees too

Original poster

byjimminey · 22/05/2016 21:14

So what if she has other tutees monkeysox? Whats your point? If she's as overworked as you suggest she might be, I'm surprised she would be able to have many more, given that we are all likely to be at the bottom of her list of priorities!
I'm not asking her to be at my beck and call, I'm asking her to do the times we agreed. I asked her clearly when she started if she was sure she could do it regularly right up until the exams.

Sorry to hear you are having similar issues TheGoodEnoughWife.

OP posts:

monkeysox · 22/05/2016 21:20

Again just trying to help explain why she might not be able to fit you in.
Exam times are stressful for everyone.
She might even be an examiner!
Try to help dc yourself?
What subject is it?

Original poster

byjimminey · 22/05/2016 21:30

Thank you monkeysox, I can see that you are offering an alternative argument but the only reason she cant fit me in is that she has gone away for the weekend. Its as simple as that. I work in education and so I know exactly how it is. I would never agree to tutor/do something and then just decide to do something else at the last minute but then maybe that's just me.

Yes, I can help with the revision myself but that is a whole other battle and the whole reason I spent ages trying to find a suitably qualified tutor in the first place!

OP posts:

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 22/05/2016 21:38

moneysix - I'm a teacher. I work long hours and most weekends. I therefore don't offer tutoring. If someone feels they can offer tutoring they should fulfill their commitments.

PurpleDaisies · 22/05/2016 22:12

She will he doing work on an evening at home too.
Just wanted to explain another point of view. She can't be at your Beck and call for an hour each week.

If she is setting herself up as a tutor she absolutely needs to be available on the times and dates she's supposed to be there. No one is forcing her to do this extra work. She isn't doing it out if the goodness of her heart-she's getting paid. If she can't do it properly she shouldn't be doing it. End of.

educatingarti · 22/05/2016 22:24

I'm a tutor. I absolutely try and keep to times agreed and also try and accommodate extra sessions in the run up to GCSEs.
I've occasionally had to cancel because of a sudden car problem, illness or because I've tried to go to a student's home and traffic has been at a near standstill (eg, there's been a fire and roads are closed). If it was the last lesson before an exam I'd try and be there if at all possible (eg get a lift/taxi if it was my car that was a problem or try and schedule an alternative time) . I'm not taking as much holiday as I would like over half-term because it is the middle of GCSEs.
I work as a full-time tutor though and it is my main business. There's no way I could do it properly if I was also reaching full time!

Original poster

byjimminey · 22/05/2016 22:45

Thank you everyone. I conclude that I am not being unreasonable!

OP posts:

38cody · 22/05/2016 22:46

I'd be bloody furious! My daughter has tutoring sessions booked pre math and History GCSE's and I would be seriously p'd off. How can she go away during exam time? Most decent tutors will be stretched to the max for the next 2 weeks. I'd never use her again.

Original poster

byjimminey · 22/05/2016 22:54

I am trying not to get myself worked up over it. There is still another part to the exam which will be just after half term. I had asked her twice if she would be here over half term for a few sessions and she said yes but now I am worried that she will just up and leave whenever suits. If there was plenty time left I would be in a position to be able to find someone else but at this point its her or no one.

How did you find your tutors 38cody if you dont mind me asking?

OP posts:

38cody · 27/05/2016 15:29

First tutors website - there are lots of agencies out there that will send you someone last minute.
I found first tutors to be really good for us but we are central London so there's loads of choice although pricey - from £20 - £100 per hour.
We pay £35 for ours - he's excellent.

Celendine · 27/05/2016 15:52

You are correct, I work as a tutor and I would never let a pupil down without prior notice. I even taught when very ill as I felt responsible for my pupils and wanted them to do well . I work for an agency and if I didn't turn up they would take me off their books

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