Teacher referred me to a tutor

[ShepherdMoons]

dd has been finding the Maths hard at her school. There are a few of the students in her year group (there are 8 of them - small school) who also are finding the homework and Maths difficult. The school don't seem to be able to offer any extra help so I mentioned that maybe a tutor might be needed. The teacher has agreed and given me the number of her friend who is a tutor. I'm going to speak to the tutor but AIBU to think that maybe the school could have offered a bit of help first? It's a lot more expense for us at a time when we are needing to save a bit.

As a teacher, I would offer a half hour after school session to such students, for free!

YANBU that they should be able to help
YABU that she has given you the name of a tutor after you suggested it might be useful

There is only so much that is possible in school. Yabvu

Maybe that is the case that the school just don't have the resources, the tutor charges £40 p/h so we will really have to think about how we can afford it.

There is only so much that is possible in school. Yabvu

this, teachers are often overworked and stretched to the limit. Having said that when I taught I'd sometimes refer parents to tutors but we weren't allowed, I'd do it discreetly. I got told off once when I did it in front of a manager.

YABVU. Teaching is so stressed already they can’t just magic time out of thin either.

If you can’t afford a tutor you’ll have to teach her yourself.

How old are they?

shop around for tutors maybe see if other parents want to group together for a session

You said it’s a small school. How many children are in her class?

the going rate for when I used to tutor 1 on 1 was 15ph

You suggested the tutor, not the teacher!

More fool you.

Is it an independent school? Must be with 8 in class?
Also you seem to be implying that they’re all struggling a bit so it’s either the curriculum or the way its taught?

Actually, what I mean is what % of the year do those 8 DC represent. If it’s <5% that’s understandable but if it’s >20% I’d be looking at the way they teach maths.

it’s sorry

As a teacher, I call bollocks.

It's a very small year group (village primary). the children are in y4,just 8 but usually they have more like 12 in each year group

There are only 8 Students in the year and a few of them are finding maths difficult I'd be questioning why.

How old?

You asked for a tutor so the teacher recommended a tutor...what else did you want her to do?

So you expect the teacher to offer extra lessons for free?

I was forced into doing that at my last school - more fool me.

Also, an eight year old doesn’t need a bloody maths tutor.

no i don't expect lessons for free but just wondered if they might offer a bit of extra help or different way of explaining it

I'm a secondary teacher.
I offer two afternoon sessions a week, for an hour (but sometimes it's more like 90m). Students come and work/revise but I also give specific feedback and work one-to-one with kids.

Don't judge everyone by your own standards.

Is this something you do regularly? What teacher has the time to tutor...and for free?😲

OP tutors are expensive when they are qualified teachers but I honestly believe you get what you pay for with a tutor. Some do more damage than good when they don't have a background in education or knowledge of the curriculum and how it progresses.

Honestly I wouldn't shell out for a tutor without taking this further. Ridiculous with such small numbers they are "struggling" - if so many are struggling implies something is amiss (and a total conflict of interest to suggest her friend as a tutor.)

I'd be meeting with the head to address these concerns.

There should be scope for intervention and with covid catch up funding this year available I'd question why nothing has been put in place and you are only aware of it now?