Tutoring: The Last Taboo

In cosmopolitan London pretty much anything goes around the dinner party table, except that is, the admission that you tutor your child. Parents agonise over whether to begin this expensive habit having already spent a small fortune on their child’s private school. Their Head has told them that they do not recommend tutoring and schools say they can spot a tutored child a mile off. The Consortium has even gone to the trouble of tutor proofing their exams. However, it turns out that while you have taken this advice at face value every single other girl/boy in the year has been receiving extra lessons, once a week, for the last two years. So what to do? There is no right or wrong to this question but if you do decide to enter the Wild West World of 1:1 tutoring I would recommended you consider the following:

Is your tutor a qualified teacher?

Whether you go through word of mouth or a tutoring agency make sure that your tutor is a qualified teacher or at least has many years of tutoring experience.  It may seem impressive if you tutor is fresh out of Oxbridge but impressive degrees are no substitute for a thorough knowledge of the primary curriculum and years spent in a school learning how to engage and motivate children.  A seasoned teacher will see that glazed look appearing in your child’s eyes and adeptly reengage them with their box of pedagogical tricks that they have accumulated the hard way.  Remember that tutoring agencies are businesses and don’t be persuaded into hiring anyone that doesn’t have an impressive CV.  An out of work actor, for example, may sound exciting but the reality is they are doing the job to pay the bills and not because their lifelong passion is to teach.      

What do you want from your child’s lessons?

Parents hire tutors for a myriad of reasons.  They may want intensive exam prep, support in specific areas or homework help.  Make sure you are clear from the beginning with your tutor as to what you are expecting from them.  Don’t change the goal posts half way through.  If you are solely employing them to see a significant increase in your child’s exam results make this clear.  This said don’t be unrealistic in what a tutor can achieve in one hour a week.  Make sure you know what they are teaching your child and also how they are tracking their improvement.

How many sessions a week?

Unless you are in the run up to 11+ and you feel your child desperately needs it (be conscious that an overly supported child may get into a school that is too academic for them and then struggle desperately) more than one lesson a week during term time is unnecessary.  Your child has a jam-packed schedule at school and needs time to do other things and play!  Be wary of the tutor who is looking to fill their hours.

Engage with your tutor

It is not always possible but if you are at home when your tutor comes make the effort to get to know them.  It is amazing how much extra information on schools, exams and the competition you can get from a tutor if you engage with them.  They should be able to advise you on extra resources, book lists and follow up work to support their lessons.  So much learning can be done within the family when waiting for a flight or sitting in a traffic jam.  Little and often is often the key.   

Is the chemistry right?

Children vary in their enthusiasm for after school lessons, boys are particularly reluctant to forgo their free time to do extra maths, however your son or daughter should like their tutor.  Different children will be suited to different teaching styles.  Even if the tutor you have hired comes highly recommended and gets excellent results they may not be the right personality to motivate your child.  If you don’t feel the lessons are achieving very much don’t be afraid to have a frank conversation.  A well-seasoned tutor won’t be offended.