Choosing the Right Tutor

As a parent, finding the right tutor for your child may seem like a daunting prospect. Multiply that thought 10-fold if you’re looking for a tutor to support a child with learning differences

This impartial guide for parents tells you what you need to know, the questions you should ask, and when to trust your instincts and, most importantly, your child!

Some uncomfortable truths:

• Anyone can set themselves up as a private tutor, even those purporting to offer specialised support.

• Being well-qualified does not automatically mean you can teach a subject, or that the tutor is familiar with the current curriculum or exam structure.

• Responsibility for checking that a tutor is an appropriately qualified and responsible person ultimately lies with parents.

• At its best, private tutoring is effective, confidence building, enjoyable and can be positively life-changing.

• Engaging a private tutor involves a commitment to invest both time and money in supporting your child’s educational progress.

How to overcome these barriers?

Check qualifications and teaching credentials.

Subject qualifications are generally self-explanatory but check teaching qualifications too. Having a PhD in maths means you're a fabulous mathematician but does not qualify you to teach! Also, check other letters, names and diplomas, however impressive they appear to be, not all are relevant or unfortunately, may not be genuine.

If a tutor claims to offer specialist support for dyslexia, for example, check what experience and additional qualifications they hold to justify that claim and if they’re members of any professional bodies such as BDA (British Dyslexia Association) or PATOSS (Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties)

Check safeguarding credentials

The process of ensuring your tutor is a wholly appropriate and responsible person to be around children is called Safeguarding.

Ask for proof that the tutor has completed appropriate training and hold current versions of all of the following:

• DBS enhanced certificate (Disclosure & Barring Service)

• First Aid training certificate

• Voluntary registration with Ofsted

• Public liability insurance

• Policies and procedures for working alone with children

Ask the right questions

Does your tutor understand the difference between tutoring and teaching?  There is a difference! Tutoring is bespoke learning that’s centred around the individual student. An excellent tutor is pro-active, recognising gaps and weaknesses in the student’s knowledge that may be holding their progress back in a number of areas. They will put together individual strategies to help plug those gaps. They should also have systems to track progress and discuss this regularly with both the student and yourself.

Ask around; you'll be surprised how many other parents have experience of tutors, some good and some not so good. Also, check social media and review sites and take a considered all-round view. 

Meet the tutor(s) with your child and see how they interact. Watch and listen for cues that can show how comfortable your child is in the tutor's company. Follow your instincts!

Sort out the practicalities

Ideally, not in your child's presence, agree on payment terms, the number and length of sessions booked. Also clarify which, if any, additional resources you’ll be expected to supply or fund.

Hopefully, having done a little homework yourself, you’ll feel more confident choosing a tutor who’s just right for your needs and for your child!

Kip McGrath tutors are fully qualified and experienced.  All staff have current DBS checks, safeguarding qualifications and there is always a member of staff with first aid qualifications on the premises. Our centre is registered voluntarily with Ofsted and is regularly inspected.  Ann and Ivan are both passionate about education and, combined with their wealth of experience, have the benefit of Kip McGrath’s 45-year heritage.

If you’re interested in finding out more about supporting your child with professional educational tutoring, contact Ann for an informal chat on 0161 425 1550 or email oldhamnorth@kipmcgrath.co.uk and we'll arrange a call back.

We’re more than happy to arrange visits to our centre at 566 Middleton Road, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 0HF.

You can also book a free, no obligation assessment to find out your child’s strengths and weaknesses at www.kipmcgrath.co.uk/oldham-north