talk to me about becoming a tutor?

[devonshireduckling]

hello! I am looking at becoming a tutor in the near future. Pre-DCs I taught at university level and have post-graduate qualifications, have kept up to date as far as possible, I was also heavily involved in student welfare and counselling. I have recently been doing some informal tutoring for a friend whose a-level student DS had a bit of a crisis, that went well. In my area there seems to be a lack of tutors. What do I need to consider to get into this? Any pros/cons? I am assuming I'd have to register myself as self-employed? How much is the going rate (are there any "tables" of rates?). Thanks!

I haven't tutored for a very long time so no advice there - but I wondered if you had considered tutoring for the Open University, since you have taught undergrads? I teach a couple of courses for the OU - I do some face-to-face tutorials on a Sat and the rest is at home/online. Have a look at their website for vacancies and see if there are suitable courses.

I have done it - I found it quite easy to get work -only downside is that times that most demand is after school - although I have done a fair bit evenings and weeekend - and A level students are quite often free in the day. Best place to find out going rate in your area is websites UKtutors and Firsttutors - both of which I have had work from. Also advertised in gumtree and notice boards -eg post offices, library
you need to get up to speed on the exam system, and the syllabuses of which ever exams your students are taking - avaiable on the exam board website - I also found getting the same text book as my students were using helped
you need to register as self employed and keep records - you can set quite a lot of expenses against tax. I found the TES forums useful - there is one for private tutors and subjects ones also useful.

I've been tutoring for many years- feel free to PM if you wish.

Can I ask Anothername which expenses you have claimed for as i am filling in my tax return? may be too late for this year but useful for the next.

non done one yet- but all travel - at I think 45 p a mile, clearly things like paper, ink cartriges, text books etc,
then you can do some expenses for housing costs - it gets quite complicated -its about the proportion of the house you are using for your business and I think there is a general allowence you can use instead which I will probably do - there is fairly good guidence on the HMRC website and I think its the kind of things well worth ringing them