Mumsnet users review the Tutorful service

[EllieMumsnet]

This activity is now closed

This is the feedback thread for the MNers who tested the Tutorful service with their DC. This service test was open to all UK MNers with a child, or children, who required tuition from primary school to A-level age. This was as much a test of the Tutorful service (using the site to find a tutor, messaging, arranging lessons, etc.) as it was of the lesson itself. Each tester received one free face-to-face session in a subject of their choosing.

If you don't fancy reading the full thread, you can take a look at the highlights here: Tutorful review

Non-testers, in order to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 voucher of their choice (from a list), please answer the following question: 'Have you or your child used a private tutor before and if so, how did you find your tutor and what was the learning experience like?’

Here’s what Tutorful have to say: “We all know the benefit of checking online reviews before buying a new product, so of course you’d want to do the same for someone spending time with your child. Tutorful is revolutionising tutoring, and we’re revolving it around you. Our tutor search and comparison platform has been created based around your needs as a parent, plus every tutor on Tutorful has been referenced and personally approved by our Education Advisors.”

Testers please answer the following questions:

• What were you primarily looking to achieve by booking a private tutor?
• How did you find the process of searching for, messaging and booking your tutor?
• Share any feedback about your tutor and the lesson
• Does your child have any feedback to share about their tutor and the lesson?
• Have you or your child used a private tutor before and if so, how does this compare to that experience?
• Could anything have made your experience with Tutorful better?

All testers who leave the required feedback will be entered into a prize draw, where one tester will receive a £100 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

I used tutors for my son and my daughter when they were doing A levels. I found my son's Maths and Economics tutors on Gumtree as I was looking specifically for someone close to my son's age who he would relate to rather than a former teacher or someone my age. His Maths tutor in particular was brilliant, had recently graduated with a 1st from Oxford and was a musician. I had looked at some of the tutoring websites, but felt they all offered very similar, bland uninspiring tutors, with focus on lesson structuring rather than adapting to individual kids.

I used a tutor for both children to prepare for the 11+ exam years ago.
They both passed and went to Grammar Schools and loved it.
I found the tutor by recommendation and found the children loved his visits.

non-tester never used a tutor, would consider for music or languages but otherwise i'm confident i could cover the rest myself

Non tester here.
We tried Edplace online tutoring for maths just before KS2 SATS this year. On the whole it was fairly positive and certainly seemed to improve my DS's confidence but he did find the vast quantity of worksheets scheduled for him every week quite overwhelming. The service seemed very impersonal which was slightly at odds with what was advertised.

I had a tutor for my GCSE maths my parents were terrified I was going to fail. I didn't like the tutor and found maths boring.

Non-tester

'Have you or your child used a private tutor before and if so, how did you find your tutor and what was the learning experience like?’

No, but I intend to this year for my DD. She's just gone into sixth year of high school and didn't do as well as she needed to in her highers to get an unconditional offer from uni. She's crashing two highers this year, one of which is a language. We plan to use a tutor for this and will be asking her to contribute to the cost.

Are there any mums who got pregnant at 40?

Did you have pregnancy complications? Natural birth or C section?
Were there developmental.problems die to being an older mum?

I'm 40 in a month, 7 weeks pregnant and I don't know whether to continue or whether to terminate. I'm in bits.

Any advice or experiences appreciated.

Non-tester.
Have you or your child used a private tutor before and if so, how did you find your tutor and what was the learning experience like?
I've used tutors before for myself in foreign languages, but we are currently looking for one for my husband for maths as he needs to do his functional maths GCSE equivalency test.

Cost is an issue, but rather more important is the quality of the teaching. We will need to find someone with expertise in the functional maths area rather than the standard GCSE curriculum.

Additionally, I think my husband has (if that's the right phrase) discalcula (sp) so we need someone with experience of working with this.

.

Non tester - no tutors as yet but I'd consider one for music lessons in the future.

Non-tester
We have never used a tutor although I would be open to the idea if I/the school/DDs felt it was needed.

Non-tester here: we use a tutor for my son and daughter. Asked friends for recommendations and found a lady who two friends use. She also happens to teach (on a supply basis) quite regularly at their school. We only have one hour a fortnight but it's invaluable for helping the DC with a topic they have got stuck on. They moan about having to do it but we won't stop it and they do acknowledge the benefit.

Non-tester:
I pay for music tutors for my DD aged 8 - she learns piano and clarinet during school hours. She has done really well, but as a reasonably proficient piano player (grade 5 level) I can offer the benefit of my knowledge at home, and she loves to practice. Since our present govt has well and truly trashed music provision in schools the only access for children is private tutoring. It isn't cheap (approx £110 per term for 10 x 20 min lessons), but it is invaluable for my child's progression in this subject area. I would also consider tutors at a later stage for more conventional subjects if my child was struggling because even though I would do my best to help her, a trained professional is always the best choice to achieve the desired results.

Non tester
My DD has been going to a tutor for 11+ preparation. She was recommended by a friend whose daughter is a couple of years older and fortunately I was able to get DD's name down well in advance as she gets booked up very quickly. DD has loved the experience of one-to-one tuition and is sad to be leaving. She would happily carry on going.

I could have taught her myself but I don't think it would have been very good for our relationship!

Non tester.
Tbh I had no interest whatsoever in joining the trial but reading the experiences and comments of those who did has opened my mind to the possibilities. I was just thinking of school topics etc,the prospect of them having lessons in a musical instrument didn't really enter my mind.I may look into this now as some posters said it was nice for it to be a treat rather than a school work based thing.
Very interesting to read testers reviews. Thanks

Congratulations to AddictedToRadley for winning the £100 voucher for testing and posting feedback

Congratulations to Jeffingandeffing for winning the £100 voucher for posting an answer to the non-tester question