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Original poster

Finding tutors who are accountable to results?

89 replies

Jwrkt66 · 25/10/2021 17:45

Am trying to find a 11+ tutor for my younger yr 5 DD to focus on English comprehension and Maths. I went through 3 tutors (2 were from agencies/websites recommended on other threads here) for my elder DS 2 yrs ago but stopped because although I could see improved knowledge, ISEB scores were not improving much. I concluded its hard to hold tutors accountable to results. But my DD really needs tutoring. Does anyone have recommendations?.

OP posts:
BiggerBoat1 · 26/10/2021 10:59

@immersivereader

Where is she based?

Lala land

Best reply ever Grin
PineappleCakes · 26/10/2021 11:00

We used an 11+ tutor for a highly selective grammar school. She had a great track record (because she screened and selected her tutees) but obviously there were no guarantees that my kids would pass - it's very unreasonable? naive? ridiculous to think that anyone could guarantee a child's test performance. YABVU.

You want accountability - look into your own parenting before you start palming off the responsibility onto anyone else.

Clandestin · 26/10/2021 11:02

@immersivereader

Where is she based?

Lala land

Grin
RachelHasThoseInBurgundy · 26/10/2021 11:09

If any parents reading are interested, am happy to share

I’ll bet you are! Grin

MN doesn’t allow touting for business.

stingofthebutterfly · 26/10/2021 11:17

No tutor should be held accountable for results.

If your daughter really needs tutoring then grammar school is not for her. Don't put that pressure on your child.

Gardenlass · 26/10/2021 11:20

@stingofthebutterfly

No tutor should be held accountable for results.

If your daughter really needs tutoring then grammar school is not for her. Don't put that pressure on your child.

I agree that tutors can't be held responsible for results, but to be fair, many children are tutored for the grammar schools. It doesn't necessarily mean they are not grammar school material.
stingofthebutterfly · 26/10/2021 11:24

@Gardenlass yes, I agree that tutoring can be helpful for things like understanding exam formats and thing like that, but the way the op said that her daughter 'really' needs tutoring lead me to believe that this child just isn't academically able enough to succeed in a selective school.

LetHimHaveIt · 26/10/2021 11:36

For. Accountable for results: accountable 'to' a person; accountable 'for' a thing.

StormTreader · 26/10/2021 12:02

There's no option to just buy a good grade which seems to be what you're looking for.

Tee20x · 26/10/2021 12:06

How would you hold the tutor accountable for results?

It's the whole "you can lead a horse to water" thing.

You could hire the best tutor under the sun & your child still may not do well in the test.

Queenie6655 · 26/10/2021 12:14

@Jwrkt66

Thank you to you all for your comments. Clearly I touched a nerve! I was merely making the observation that the tutors I used in the past were expensive and didn't have any accountability. It looks like many of you agree for your own reasons. In any case, I got a message about a tutor service that DOES offer a guarantee and has a track record (in particular St Paul's, City of London). If any parents reading are interested, am happy to share
Accountable ?

Guarantee what??

This is utterly insane

I am so glad I am not caught up in this kind of madness any longer (Oxbridge first class grad here so have plenty of experience )

Ughhh just ughhhhhhhhh

SapereAude · 26/10/2021 13:05

@RachelHasThoseInBurgundy

If any parents reading are interested, am happy to share

I’ll bet you are! Grin

MN doesn’t allow touting for business.

Hmmmm. So that's where the thread is going. No respectable tutor would EVER do what you are asking/offering, OP. So give over.
languagelover96 · 26/10/2021 13:08

Try tutorhunt.co.uk

Original poster
Jwrkt66 · 27/10/2021 05:43

To those who responded constructively, thank you. I have looked at tutor hunt and will use that as a point of reference.

To those who did not respond constructively, I am not a tutor myself. As said, I have been told there is a service that does offer guaranteed performance and am checking it out

OP posts:
EdmontinaTiresofNameFlipping · 27/10/2021 06:16

But how on earth can any tutoring service guarantee results unless they are in cahoots with the examining institution?

Anyone believing such a claim would simply be demonstrating their own lack of intelligence. (And their children might be crossing their fingers that they haven’t inherited that particular trait.)

rushedruined · 27/10/2021 06:22

Anyone who claims to guarantee exam results is either very dodgy or very stupid.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 27/10/2021 06:26

No competent teacher or tutor would ever offer guaranteed results, so you’re right to check it out very carefully as it sounds decidedly shady.

Teachers and tutors who approach their work with professionalism and honesty will always tell you that every child is an individual, and although we can give them the tools and skills they need to succeed, there can never be a guarantee of how they will perform on any given day.

SapereAude · 27/10/2021 06:26

@Jwrkt66

To those who responded constructively, thank you. I have looked at tutor hunt and will use that as a point of reference.

To those who did not respond constructively, I am not a tutor myself. As said, I have been told there is a service that does offer guaranteed performance and am checking it out

I'm sorry you think that those of us in the business for many years aren't giving you constructive advice. Your money your choice. All I can say (in this job since 1994) is that any tutor guaranteeing results is a) dodgy as fuck b) a scammer. Whether or not it's a company or an individual.
sashh · 27/10/2021 06:31

OP

In the nicest possible way no one can guarantee what happens on the day.

Simone Biles is the most successful gymnast ever, she has 25 world champion medals, multiple Olympic medals and has moves named after her on the floor, beam and vault.

One of her moves is the highest scoring for both men and women.

This is why she has the name, "the greatest of all time" AKA the goat.

In the Tokyo Olympics she got one bronze medal after a case of 'the twisties'.

If she can have an off day anyone can.

SevenZebrasDancing · 27/10/2021 06:37

Op have you considered that the extreme pressure you are putting on your child has resulted in performance anxiety which affects them when they have tests?

Babynameq21 · 27/10/2021 07:05

Yeah... sorry but as a (pretty successful) private tutor I would NEVER guarantee results. How could I?! I'm not the one taking the exam!

In the past I haven't been afraid to stop working with students who refuse to dedicate the time and effort to their studies. I am honest with parents if I feel my services are not going to help their child achieve their potential - I never want to waste their parents money. But I could never, and would never, guarantee grades or anything like that!

SapereAude · 27/10/2021 07:10

@Babynameq21

Yeah... sorry but as a (pretty successful) private tutor I would NEVER guarantee results. How could I?! I'm not the one taking the exam!

In the past I haven't been afraid to stop working with students who refuse to dedicate the time and effort to their studies. I am honest with parents if I feel my services are not going to help their child achieve their potential - I never want to waste their parents money. But I could never, and would never, guarantee grades or anything like that!

Yep. I've got two at the moment who wanted to take their particular test in December. The work isn't getting done, so I've told them that instead of weekly, we'll do every other week (turning down money in the process) to let them keep up with what they need to do. I've also told the parents they won't be ready for December in my opinion. I'd be a liar and a fool if I said they would be.
LolaSmiles · 27/10/2021 07:18

Tutors can't guarantee results. The results come from the student who sits the exam.

Your attitude is entitled and seems to suggest you think if you throw enough money at something, your child will magically get a place.

Sherrystrull · 27/10/2021 07:21

This thread sums up why performance related pay based on the children in their class is so wrong for teachers in general.

KaycePollard · 27/10/2021 07:22

I concluded its hard to hold tutors accountable to results. But my DD really needs tutoring

Hmmmm, maybe it’s your DD who needs to be held accountable for her learning