Tutoring: What are your bad/ good experiences?

[CheeryCherry]

I am thinking of setting up as a tutor, in my home, just a few hours a week if possible. I am thinking it will be more likely KS2 English and Maths, for half termly booster sessions - or longer if preferred. Anyone done this? What would you look for in a tutor? Any good or bad experiences? I am a primary school teacher, currently working in a special school so have plenty if experience. Thanks.

I tutor at secondary level and have found it much more difficult to get work if I only tutor at my house. Many families prefer it if I travel to them and are even prepared to pay extra for this.
The other disadvantage is that the work is very seasonal being linked to exam timetables.
I would imagine that at KS2 the main demand would be for SATs preparation and Common Entrance for independent schools. However if you live in a grammar area, 11+ tuition can be very lucrative. HTH

I tutor at secondary level and much prefer to go to people's houses -no cleaning, no children around etc. it took at bit of work to get intial work but since then have lots -have a look at websites like uktutors, first tutors to see what is on offer in your area and how much they charge. For primary I am sure KS2 english and maths is where the demand is

Thanks Crazymum, yes I had wondered that about travelling to their houses, but I guess they would definately need a quiet uninterrupted space to work in. Had thought about 11+ tutoring but it is so competitive I can hardly imagine any parent trusting a novice 11+ tutor if you know what I mean. Can I be cheeky and ask why you charge? Or a rough idea? No worries if you don't want to say! Thanks.

Have used kip McGrath and would definitely recommend

I've used tutors - don't know if you were also wanting input from users?

My eldest daughter has dyslexia and we've had 3 tutors for her.

The first one was a dyslexia specialist. To be fair she did really help my daughter but as a parent, I found her quite patronizing and didn't get on with her on a personal level that much. I thought she was "ok" of the tutors we had. I feel, looking back, that because I didn't personally engage with her, or have any understanding of her teaching methods/ plans I probably didn't support my daughters learning as much as I could. I did what was asked - but no more.

The second "tutor" (who we used alongside the first) was actually a teacher from my daughter's school who did a bit of tutoring on the side. The way it happened was that my daughter was really really struggling with maths (we thought at the time she also had dyscalculia) and this teacher (in year 4) was just amazing with DD. After years and years of just not getting maths she managed to get through to her and "unlock" everything for her - if that makes sense. DD came on so much whilst she was in her class that I asked if she would tutor her privately and fortunately she did.

In a matter of months she totally turned DD around. DD was originally forecast to get a level 3 in her sats - now she's expected to get a level 5b and I put it all down to this teacher. I know my daughter has also worked hard, but it was this teacher who actually gave her the motivation to put the work in - and gave her the confidence in her own abilities.

Also worth pointing out that I really got on well with this tutor on a personal level. I was a lot more involved with what they were doing, so felt more motivated to help at home, and felt able to put ideas forward/ discuss concerns etc.

Third tutor is another specialist in dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia. She's fantastic as well. She is so passionate about what she does. Out of all the tutors she's the one who positively welcomes me approaching her and bouncing ideas off her. I also have a much younger daughter of 4 so I also speak to her about ideas for things I can do with her as well.

So as a parent, I would say that for me, the best tutors have been the ones that have involved me with the learning process. I feel that my daughter has probably got more out of tutors 2 + 3 because I was also really motivated and more involved with her, rather than just going through the motions. And if I was going to make referrals it would be 2+3 all the way.

I'm in Yorkshire which is probably one of the cheaper areas. I paid £20 ph for 1+2 (cash in hand) and £25 for 3 (own business). I would have been happy to pay £25ph for the other 2 as well but probably not much more.

Just to add Tutor 2 was a NQT. So lack of experience would definitely NOT put me off as a parent.

Will investigate Kip Mcgrath, and Northcountrygirl, that's really interesting about your 2nd tutor being an NQT, and great that you found tutors that were s genuine help. I feel I really want to give extra help to struggling pupils, angd agree that the satisfaction of making something 'click' is just fantastic all round. I would be so motivated to try everything to get that breakthrough. Thanks for that. I am assuming tutoring is always for an hour? Wondering if for, say Y3 and Y4 that 45 mins would be enough?

Actually it was 45 minutes - not an hour as I originally said. The current one is supposed to be 45 minutes too but tends to run over.