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AIBU?

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Original poster

Would you hire this private tutor?

66 replies

LuluFlower · 21/06/2019 12:30

We are looking at getting a private tutor for DS9, who is due to do his 11+ next year. We live in the South West and there is a very well established and recommended tutor that gets fantastic results. For example, all of his students have passed their 11+ and all of his GCSE students (including ones that came to him only achieving a level 1) have passed with a minimum of a 6. We have reservations because he is on the pricier side for a tutor and...

He is not a qualified teacher and doesn’t have a degree. On his website it says that he has been tutoring for over 10 years, and was in the top 1% for both GCSE and A Levels. He was head hunted to teach maths at an independent school at age 20, despite not having gone to university or being a qualified teacher. Obviously his results are amazing, I’m just not sure how I feel about paying for a tutor who doesn’t have formal qualifications?! When I spoke to him over the phone about his national curriculum knowledge, he said that a qualified teacher who hasn’t taught in a school for ‘x’ number of years would rely on paperwork/exam boards/government education websites/books to stay up to date, which is what he does.

I would love any input from teachers or people who pay for private tutors. We’ve never had a tutor before so want to make sure we are getting it right!

OP posts:
Original poster
LuluFlower · 21/06/2019 13:18

He does have a waiting list, we've been waiting for 6 months for a place. It's only now we've been offered it that I am hesitant. He does one hour sessions, if DS needed more then we'd have to wait for another space to become available.

I do tend to believe he has fantastic results. He's been teaching in this area for years and I've spoken to parents who've had their DC tutored by him for 3/4/5 years. They are adamant that he is the best tutor and has helped their DC achieve 'x' result.

OP posts:
KingaRoo · 21/06/2019 13:20

Surely his results speak for themselves that the lack of a formal teaching qualification makes no difference to his tutoring abilities! Definitely think you are overthinking this...

Darls3000 · 21/06/2019 13:23

Try him but strongly compliment him for those amazing results and see if you can put a break clause in after a month.

It might be that his approach is non-teacherly and that's why the kids thrived learning from him alongside their schools.
Good luck

thethethethethe · 21/06/2019 13:25

He's teaching to an exam. That's what he's hired to do. It's possible to do that very well without being a high level graduate. It's a matter of aptitude, knowing how to bring the right things out of children, understanding exam technique, etc.
I was recently asked to tutor a young person for a tough American exam. I had never come across that exam, am not American, had never tutored the subject before or studied it at university, though knew a fair bit about it. I looked up the syllabus, advice on the internet, practice exam papers, etc. Gave the young person a dozen lessons. They, and the parents, raved about my teaching. Said it was much better than the teaching he was receiving at his private school.
Having said that, I agree that you should make sure that the testimonials are genuine.

Heratnumber7 · 21/06/2019 13:28

Independent schools don't insist on teachers having a pgce.
If his subject knowledge is good, his rapport with the kids is good, and he understands what responses the examiners are looking for, I'd hire him.

silvercuckoo · 21/06/2019 13:28

It is the first time I hear about tutoring for up to 5 years for school exams - I guess, if a child is tutored for that long, there is no way even a very attentive parent can allocate the success fairly between the child's own effort, the tutor and the school.

dottiedodah · 21/06/2019 13:29

Why dont you compare results of other tutors?.Also arrange to meet up in advance so DC can get to know them.I would be sceptical about this kind of pressure to sign up ASAP as well .My son had a tutor, that we all really liked and he did well .We had to leave him as DC had some other commitments on that evening, however we found a small kind of learning centre ,that had a bank of tutors. And that was good too .TBH I would be sceptical of someone with no TQ or degree! .Try to have a look around and see what you think ,Its all well and good teaching them to pass an exam .But if they go to GC they need to know a good grounding in their subject ,not scrape through an struggle later on surely?.Good Luck for your sons future ,my son has a MSC from a Russell Group Uni ,so Early support worked for him as Im sure it will for your boy!

WhenZogateSuperworm · 21/06/2019 13:29

I don’t know why you are only hesitating about this now if you’ve been on a waiting list for months.

If he gets results then go for it. That’s all that matters.

Original poster
LuluFlower · 21/06/2019 13:30

Ah sorry, the whole 5 years thing is a bit confusing with the way I have worded it.

So for example, this one parent I know started with him teaching her DC for the 11+, but was so impressed with him that she has kept him on to continue teaching her DC in years 7 and 8.

OP posts:
AnAC12UCOinanOCG · 21/06/2019 13:30

I don't understand, but I also don't understand the focus on qualifications over experience in recruitment. When I look at CVs, the A Levels / degree level don't register.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 21/06/2019 13:32

Obviously his results are amazing

Again, what firm evidence is there for this? And what are the circumstances around him no longer being on the indy school's website? I'd have thought they'd be keen to hang on to such a miracle worker, and while he's entirely free to work where he wants, I'm surprised he's been able to spend 5 years tutoring many other DCs to level 6 while already employed

FWIW I just called a primary headteacher I know, who said that unless he can put a lot more flesh on the bones of his claims, it would be wise to be very careful they actually said to run a mile, but I'm trying to be diplomatic

Original poster
LuluFlower · 21/06/2019 13:35

He only does after school tuition. So he was working for 3 days at the independent school and then after school tuition. He left the school recently to do after school tuition solely.

I do think an interesting point has been raised on this thread; lots of parents have to hire private tutors because the school teachers can't cope with class numbers/aren't very good/their child needs 1-1 intervention.

OP posts:
SupermassiveBlackHo · 21/06/2019 13:35

Public school teachers don't need to be qualified, so that wouldn't bother me at all.

He'll be teaching to the test, which isn't difficult to do and there's little skill involved when teaching on a 1-2-1 basis.

As long as he is DBS checked, I'd give him a try, but I wouldn't be happy with the pressure to accept the place.

silvercuckoo · 21/06/2019 13:44

So for example, this one parent I know started with him teaching her DC for the 11+, but was so impressed with him that she has kept him on to continue teaching her DC in years 7 and 8.
See - I read this as her DC was taught to pass the test, but then struggled in a (presumably) more academic and demanding environment and had to be tutored additionally. I am probably too cynical.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 21/06/2019 13:45

So he was working for 3 days at the independent school and then after school tuition. He left the school recently to do after school tuition solely

In that case I'd definitely speak to the school (speak to, not write). When employing someone it's entirely legitimate to request a reference, though it might perhaps be necessary to "read between the lines" of whatever's said

And that still leaves the issue of what proof exists for his claims

PCohle · 21/06/2019 13:45

I really don't think you need to be able to do degree level maths to be able to teach 11+ standard maths very well.

Ellybellyboo · 21/06/2019 13:46

If he gets the results, then yes, I’d hire him

My daughter had a maths tutor for her GCSE. He isn’t a qualified teacher and doesn’t have a degree but did come very highly recommended and she got a 6, rather than the 2 she’d been predicted

Original poster
LuluFlower · 21/06/2019 13:48

silvercuckoo Sadly I think that is the case with lots of children at grammar school. I personally know a few who have struggled to keep up with the academic expectations, even children who went to a private primary school. Most of the privately educated or grammar school parents I know have tutors in addition to paying school fees, which just seems insane to me!

I am going to ring the school in a bit to see how verifiable his claims are.

I can understand the pressure to an extent. This is his sole livelihood as he told me on the phone he doesn't teach at the school anymore, only tutors. He explained this on the phone and said he doesn't want to have a space empty for weeks when he has a waiting list of prospective parents.

OP posts:
Puzzledandpissedoff · 21/06/2019 13:52

I can understand the pressure to an extent. This is his sole livelihood

Interesting ... he can obviously only tutor school age children after 4pm, at weekends or in the holidays, so what does he do the rest of the time?

Original poster
LuluFlower · 21/06/2019 13:54

He is very expensive. I am trying not to out myself as best I can. His price for primary school tuition starts at £50ph and goes upward from there.

He does 4pm - 8pm everyday after school. So even at the base rate of £50 x 20 hours a week, he is doing very well for himself.

OP posts:
Puzzledandpissedoff · 21/06/2019 14:01

His price for primary school tuition starts at £50ph and goes upward from there

Oh dear, oh dear ... he's good at this isn't he? (And I don't necessarily mean the actual tutoring)

I'm told the going rate for KS2 tutors is about £30ph, so while as I've said he may be entirely legitimate, you might want to proceed very carefully here

silvercuckoo · 21/06/2019 14:04

I don't think this is too expensive these days, I have an English tutor for a (nearly) reception aged child and she's £40ph...

TulipCat · 21/06/2019 14:06

The most important thing is that your child likes and trusts him enough to want to spend an hour a week with him and that the tutor nurtures their confidence to perform on the day of the 11+. The maths isn't very challenging for an adult - I have tutored my son myself for the 11+. The tutor doesn't really need formal qualifications. But do beware the "great results" spiel. Sometimes these tutors either select at the outset or chuck kids out who aren't going to do well.

Namenic · 21/06/2019 14:07

I’d go with the tutor - providing he is crb checked etc. I don’t think 11+ is massively challenging in terms of concepts and if he has a good track record it sound like he is good at explaining the concepts to kids. My brother’s maths teacher at a good prep school (feeder to big public schools) had a degree in law I think.

Gamble66 · 21/06/2019 14:08

If you had not been on a waiting list for 6mths then the pressure would be an issue as it stands I would just say it's ensuring his income
If you know that the results are true then his fees are actually pretty standard in some areas

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