A level tutor

[Herecomesthemoon]

I am trying to find tutors for the first time. We need three A level subjects and it seems there are few tutors available for one of the subjects. I want to use the same company for all subjects.
We found a company and set up introductory chats with three tutors. Two went ahead and one just failed to attend. We set up a lesson with the "difficult" subject and a chat with a different tutor, which unfortunately we then had to cancel.
Today we had chats booked with two further tutors and a lesson with the previously booked tutor, which I have already paid for. One of the tutors failed to attend and the one I have booked and paid for a lesson cancelled last minute.

Is it common for tutors to fail to attend or cancel? I wondered if this is partly because we cancelled last minute previously. My DD thinks we should be able to cancel as we are paying for a service, but that the tutors should be reliable.
I seem to have spent a large part of the last 10 days or so trying to find and organise tutors. Is this usual? What experience have others had?

You don't say if it's for Y12 or Y13.
Most tutors would be reluctant to take on Y13s this close to the exams.
This is the busiest time of year for tutors. Perhaps there was another student interested in the same timeslot as you and because you cancelled at the last minute the slot was given to somebody else. The tutor may have assumed that you cancelled at the last minute because you had found someone else or changed your mind about starting tutoring.
Yes most tutors have a cancellation policy, but cancelling the first lesson isn't a good idea for the reasons given above.
If your dd is Y12, I would wait a few weeks until the current exams are over and tutors will have more availability.

I used an online tutor from an agency for my y12 dd and she (dd and the tutor) never cancelled in 18 months. Cancellation policy was I could cancel or rearrange with 48 hours notice iirc?
I used a different tutor for another subject. This was a personal recommendation and he never cancelled and often had sessions that were longer than what I paid for. It was online and a group session.

My DD has a tutor she asked for for a gcse subject.

DD wouldn't dream of cancelling and makes sure she is ready no matter what for their meetings

It would be really disrespectful to cancel and I would still expect to have to pay for that pre planned session.

As for the tutor cancelling, I would think that because you have set the precedent there they feel it's ok to reciprocate the cancelling at their end

It sounds like your DD is struggling with her A Level choices. They can be very difficult.

Maybe she needs to look at BTEC or vocational courses that suit her

Ask her teachers if they know any tutors and what your DD can use to help her studies

Thank you for all your answers. I do think we need to be reliable, but it's harder to force a 17 year old to do something than it is with younger kids. Some of the tutors do seem unreliable though as two have just not turned up when we did not change anything.
She is behind due to illness/absence and we want tutors now to ensure she does well enough in her end of year exams to continue to year 13. She wants to do the extra work to catch up now. The school say they cannot recommend anyone.
I have been trying to set up tutorials for three weeks now and have only had one lesson, with lots of suggested times and rearrangements. One can only offer 9pm, which I think is late. I did think this would be easier.

I do agree she is struggling and maybe should rethink her options, but really want to get some tutors to give her some extra help now, in the hope they can help her turn things round.

@Herecomesthemoon - which subjects is your daughter interested in?

For more unusual subjects, you may be better off going by word of mouth than a national company. It may be best for her to ask around - do any of her friends have tutors for this subject?

I understand it's convenient to go via one company, but you'll likely get better service this way.

She is doing science subjects and we don't know anyone else using a tutor. I advertised in a local Facebook group but got a limited response.

It's a really busy time of year for GCSE and A Level tutors. They will be prioritizing those who come across as reliable and committed to tuition. Tutors talk to one another and share information on unreliable families

You talk about not wanting to be "forcing" your child to do tuition. Is this why you cancelled the lesson?

It's not good that some of the tutors have been no shows, but is there something in your messages which is making them think your DD is not really wanting tuition?

I'm a tutor and spend huge amounts of time waiting around for flakey parents and students who don't prioritize tuition over other things and cancel at the drop of a hat. I've got very good at spotting red flags and would rather trust my instincts than have my time wasted.

Hello,
I hope you are well.
if you are still looking and need a tutor for maths feel free to message me. I can pass on details for a recommended tutor.