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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To continue working exclusively online in september

73 replies

rosesinmygarden · 05/07/2020 15:15

I'm a private tutor. Primary ages mostly. I've been continuing to tutor online since lock down started.

I don't plan to go back to face to face tuition in September and whilst most of my families are ok with this, some have acted like I'm being ridiculous.

The fact is, I tutor 25 children a week in my home office which is approx 3m squared, all one to one, but they come from 5 different schools and various year groups. I feel that for it to be safe, I'd have to wear PPE and be 2m apart which probably isn't realistic in my officd. I don't trust parents to not send their children if the have symptoms (I've had sick kids turn up many many times).

I just feel like online tuition is actually far more effective and safe for everyone involved than them coming to my office and me being 2m away with a silly visit on!

Just to be clear, I have no issue with parents withdrawing their kids, that's their prerogative anyway. I just don't like being made to feel guilty and that I'm being ridiculous by not letting them attend tuition face to face.

OP posts:
Newkitchen123 · 05/07/2020 15:18

It's up to you
I'm a tutor
I'll be doing face to face

Original poster
rosesinmygarden · 05/07/2020 15:20

What measures are you putting in place @Newkitchen123?

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 05/07/2020 15:20

How many can you afford to lose?

Do you have a waiting list?

sst1234 · 05/07/2020 15:20

I can see why parents would think you are charging full price for a sub optimal service, which is a cheek. Especially when lockdown is over. And no, online teaching is not even close to a good substitute for face to face learning. I would find another tutor.

bridgetreilly · 05/07/2020 15:21

It's your business, you can choose how you want to run it. If you get enough online clients, then it doesn't matter at all. If not, then I guess you'll have to decide whether it's worth the risk to continue.

Smallsteps88 · 05/07/2020 15:23

Surely it works better for families to do their lesson online from home? It means no rushing around, squeezing in a snack after school, finding parking, having to wear a mask or sanitise etc.

soberfabulous · 05/07/2020 15:25

I've been doing my usual weekly language (face to face) class by zoom during lockdown. Whilst the no travel element of it was definitely great, my learning plummeted.

We started face to face again last week and I felt I progressed more in that one lesson than I had in a month!

If you only want to do zoom, be aware that parents may not want to pay the premium price as they are not getting the same learning.

labyrinthloafer · 05/07/2020 15:25

I think you're being sensible tbh, but some may leave I suppose. Can you afford for that to happen?

Pipandmum · 05/07/2020 15:26

Depends what you teach. My daughter (not primary) finds that online is detrimental to certain subjects. Math for example. It is hard for the teacher to see the workings and where things may have gone wrong.
She currently has piano lessons via Skype. It's ok for lock down, but not the same as being with her teacher.
If you feel you can give the same level of teaching via a computer rather than face to face, and not miss any nuances of facial expressions and body language, then fine. Personally I would be finding a tutor that can do it face to face.

Knocksomesense · 05/07/2020 15:28

I'm also a tutor. I havent particularly found my lessons to have been negatively impacted by it being online. Although it's been easier with existing clients than new clients.

I will continue to teach online mostly. No way do I want to be the one responsible for spreading covid onto six different schools!

Original poster
rosesinmygarden · 05/07/2020 15:28

Thanks for your comments.

No one so far has complained about my prices or commented that they are getting a sub optimal service. I do wonder if people who think that have ever experienced an online lesson with a teacher who knows how to use technology to provide an excellent learning experience. All but 2 of my students all say that's it exactly like having an in person session - it's their parents who seem to think I'm being ridiculous.

I'm not forcing anyone to stay or to pay my prices. They choose to.

Also, my thread was asking about whether I am being unreasonable to feel online will be the safest option. Not whether I'm a crap teacher or ripping people off. But I guess this is mumsnet...

OP posts:
Knocksomesense · 05/07/2020 15:29

@Pipandmum interesting you say maths is less effective. We do the workings on a shared whiteboard.

Original poster
rosesinmygarden · 05/07/2020 15:31

Sorry... that wasn't clear. It's just 2 paremts who have said this.

All others are fine with it and I have a massive waiting list.

OP posts:
Original poster
rosesinmygarden · 05/07/2020 15:33

Yes, I also use a shared whiteboard. The kids love it. Sometimes they also work on scrap paper and what's app me the image - then we work together on it onscreen.

I think it's just these two parents reactions that have made me question myself.

OP posts:
BlusteryLake · 05/07/2020 15:37

It's up to you. If you can work in the way you want and still have enough clients then it doesn't really matter what parents who want something different think. They will go out and find that. Personally I am dropping my online tutor in favour of face to face in September because that's my preference.

Original poster
rosesinmygarden · 05/07/2020 15:38

I'm also wondering ... those of you who would only use a face to face tutor.

Would you be happy with the tutor wearing a mask/visor and/or being minimum 2 metres away from your child for the whole session (and therefore possibly struggling to see what your child has written).

OP posts:
D4rwin · 05/07/2020 15:39

If you're promoting yourself as only available online then you will be available to a wider area so it makes sense for your business.

Original poster
rosesinmygarden · 05/07/2020 15:40

And, as parents who want a face to face tutor, would you be 100% honest if you'd been asked to self isolate?

If I were to return to face to face I'd ask parents to request an online session if this was the case.

OP posts:
Original poster
rosesinmygarden · 05/07/2020 15:42

@D4rwin yes, that's very true.

My own daughter's tutor is staying online as are most of the other tutors I know. I'm the only one who seems to have had some huffy parents. Maybe I should just tell them to look elsewhere and start contacting my waiting list...

OP posts:
Original poster
rosesinmygarden · 05/07/2020 15:45

Also, government advice is to continue to work from home if you can. Lockdown/Covid is not 'over' by a long shot.

OP posts:
IndecentFeminist · 05/07/2020 15:49

2 metres isn't the recommendation now is it?

I'm not sure why you're asking. You're sure you're right, most of your clients are happy.

Personally I would switch back to a face to face tutor...I've always found it easier to stay engaged that way and my children are the same.

That doesn't mean you are a crap teacher, but I would find an online only offer sub par.

IsletsOfLangerhans · 05/07/2020 15:49

I’m a tutor, secondary level and plan to stay online as much as possible. I’ve adapted my resources to teach online and have had good feedback from my students. The Tutor Association have recommended tutors to keep working online, where possible. I see it as the most sensible option, minimising contact. I see 12-15 a week, for 1-2 hours a time. They come from a wide variety of local schools - I don’t want to be the cause of spread, personally!

Coronacurls · 05/07/2020 15:50

I'm a tutor too - I really didn't like online at first but have totally got used to it now and intend to stay online for the foreseeable future.

I tutor young people in foster care and there are lots of safeguarding reasons to stay online, as well as the Covid risk.

Original poster
rosesinmygarden · 05/07/2020 15:54

It's 2 metres wherever possible, or 1 metre plus.

Ultimately I'll have to do what I'm comfortable with and be willing to lose a few clients if necessary.

These 2 parents seemed so surprised it started to wonder. That's why I started the thread. I had already said this.

To continue working exclusively online in september
OP posts:
Cheeseislife2020 · 05/07/2020 15:56

I think charging full price for tuition over zoom is massively cheeky

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