how do you know if a tutor is any good?

[Meermummy]

Assuming that it isn't a personal recommendation from a trusted source...prices in North London vary from £30/hour to £80. Any tips on spotting a good tutor? Trying for both grammar and fee paying (hedging bets!)

Trial lesson. Chemistry between child and tutor is vital.

Don't know if you have a tutor yet. I live in North London and had a fab one. He was wonderful at teaching maths. Really old school, £55 an hour but usually very booked up. Let me know if you want further details and a contact number.

Sorry I meant to PM you Meermummy, not post a message.

Grovel is very right, chemistry is everything and a trail lesson is good. But also word of mouth. And I guess asking other parents from previous years -did their child get into the school of their choice?

Our tutor had a lot of local knowledge about schools and advised on which school was the best for us. And he was right.

Their track record says a lot, as does word of mouth from other parents. We used a tutor for 11+. Two friends had used her before and got exactly the results they hoped for. She is always booked up two years in advance (good sign) and surpassed our expectations in every way.

Also, both my DSs adored her. They never fussed about doing work for her. They had very high regard for her opinion. And she had a real 'No messing' air about her. She is known as gold dust locally and she was. DS1 got teary at the prospect of not seeing her again. Not north London though. South West.