Private Tutors

[fruitshootsandheaves]

I'm looking into getting a private English tutor for my DS
I don't really want to go into any of the tutoring clubs like Kumon and am really looking for an individual person nearby.
I have no idea where to start. I don't know anyone else who has done this and there is noone listed near me in Yellow Pages
DS is 10 and is REALLY struggling. I have just had another storming off in tears incident because of his homework. I hate it. It ruins every weekend and we are both getting stressed.
He is really going to struggle at upper school next year if i don't do something.

I started by asking his teacher - I thought there might be someone in the school who did private tutoring. But it turned out that the school itself had
employed tutors from a private company to help out their struggling pupils.

The firm they use is based in South London and called Harrison Allen. We have booked 6 sessions for our DS1 aged 7 who is struggling with written English. Be warned it is costly - about £300 for 6 sessions and they want paying up front.

£300! oh dear

There are loads and loads of tutors on the internet.

Just google 'tutor' and you town name and you will find them.

And you shouldn't be paying anything like £50ph. In London £25ph is common, I assume it's a bit less out of London.......

There are some websites. UK Tutors is one. Tutors on there normally teach sessions for about £20 per hour, at your house or theirs. I have seen adverts up in shop windows or shop noticeboards too, advertising someone's services as a tutor.

If I can figure out how, fruitshoots, I will PM you...

Thanks everyone
I'm thinking i might phone the school first and see what they say and if they can recommend anyone.
I will ask around to see if there is anyone local.

I am a private tutor - I would advise the following:

Be very careful about agencies. Some are great, but some are a hard sell and a bit of a rip-off IMO. IMO, smaller local/regional agencies that have been established some while are best.

If you find someone local you can ask/check:
do they have any testimonials/references from other parents;
do they have a CRB check;
are they willing to either meet with you or chat on the phone about the issues your child has and how they might deal with them;
do they seem approachable, sympathetic and friendly;
how many lessons (if any) do they ask you to commit to up-front (I don't know of any tutors who ask for a large payment up-front. I ask for payment at the end of each lesson and 2 weeks notice if you want to stop tutoring. I do also usually charge if people cancel at short ( less than 48 hours) notice, but I make this really clear at the start of the tutoring;
are there any additional costs ( eg for workbooks );
Try and find someone who is either a quialified teacher or has some years of successful experience.

"qualified" - I am not in speed typing!!

"The school itself had employed tutors from a private company to help out their struggling pupils " !

Get thee to another school!

£50 per session I would be very suspicious. £25 tops!

fruitshoot
I am a private tutor and certainly do not charge anything near the figures quoted on this thread.
Try first tutors.co.uk and see what they come up with. I have registered with them and find them efficient and useful.

thankyou sarahfreck for all that advice.
I will look at that site crosswordaddict
thanks everyone