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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Looking for a Good Private Tutor

10 replies

emmy65 · 31/05/2012 17:09

My 15 year old daughter is struggling with her Maths. She's got a mental block with it and I'd really like a tutor who could get the subject across to her in a way she would respond to. Also my 12 year old son is behind with his spelling so I'm really looking for 2 tutors. Other parents I know have given me the names of 2 tutors but how am I to know if they'd be any good to my children? Who's got experience of using private tutors here and how did you go about it? How do you know how good they are and what sorts of things should I look out for? Sorry for being long winded but this is an area I don't know much about and be grateful for any help. Thanks x

OP posts:
Kaloobear · 31/05/2012 17:16

There's a website called FirstTutors I'm registered on (as an English tutor) which is quite good. (Hope this doesn't count as advertising-apologies if so!)

out2lunch · 31/05/2012 17:22

i used the playground mafia Smile asked around a few mums i know who are teachers and they let me know who did what subject
ds had tutors for soem of his gcses and got his grades up by one in each subject he had help with - it was very worthwhile for us as it helped him get into revision mode and ensured he had the grades he needed for college.good confidence boost too.
i fully intend to do this with dd next year.
some parents suggested i use their student child as a tutor but i felt my dcs would respond better to an adult teaching them also i asked if my ds could go to their house for the lessons - i felt he would behave better.

HighNoon · 31/05/2012 19:55

I'd recommend First Tutors - have got some great people through there.

MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay · 31/05/2012 20:14

First Tutor user here too:)

We actually went for an online based tutor for DD2, having tried another who didn't 'click' with my DD2. She does her tuition via skype and it's BRILLIANT... all docs and info are emailed and DD2 can work from her own bedroom. (If anyone ever needs an A level bio tutor.. I can recommend her)

Cuddleczar · 09/06/2012 13:49

I got a good maths tutor by posting on local area forum. He was recommended and I then took up two references. Two of my daughters got on really well with him; the third didn't. It's a case of horses for courses. Another tutor I got by asking my daughter to ask her friends who they used...that young woman was very popular and I had to wait until some of her tutees had left (this time of year would be a good time of year to try). My oldest is now into some very complicated stuff on maths and sciences and I found one tutor by asking a neighbour who is a university professor (he was able to recommend one of his Ph.D students); and another by phoning up one of the local private schools who sent round an email to all their teachers...got a reply from someone who has a young family but can tutor in the evenings. Not all tutors have worked out--it's best to a) take up refs and use people who are CRB checked (such as teachers) and not leave them alone with your DCs until you know them a bit better and b) have a loose arrangement to start with so that if they are no good (and your DCs will know if they are or not) you can let it fade out easily. As in "she/he needs a few booster sessions to get through these exams/tests".

gelatinous · 09/06/2012 14:34

Personal recommendation would be best. You could ask at the school for a recommendation, or even if they have any outstanding sixth formers who might help. Based on seeing ds (yr 13) explaining maths to dd (yr 11) I think a good sixth former could be as good as anyone.

ImperialBlether · 10/06/2012 09:38

Whereabouts are you, OP? I know a couple of really good tutors.

stressydad · 16/08/2012 16:25

I've seen some great tutors on youtube recently, does anybody know where I can book tutors like this?

aliportico · 16/08/2012 18:00

That's funny, I advertise (maths) on First Tutors and although have had a few enquiries, have only ended up with one student from there. I also advertise on Tutors4me and have had lots of work from there.

Nearly everyone I see has not used a tutor before, so I try to make it as straightforward as possible. I make it very clear that the first session is to make sure they are happy with using me, that there is no obligation to carry on (then or any time - the only commitment is week to week), let them know that a parent is welcome to stay in the room if they want (have never had a secondary school parent take me up on this), and also emphasise that it will only work if the child wants it to.

stressydad · 17/08/2012 09:27

Oh ok, thats interesting. How do you know which ones are good?

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