As every tutor and every pupil is different, every journey will be too. Tutors' Alliance has stated what we consider to be the essential milestones along a tutoring journey from beginning to end. We have focused this primarily on exam-based tuition, because that is the principal reason for which most tutors are engaged, however there is no reason why it cannot be adapted accordingly for someone who is not doing exams.

Stage 1 – Finding a Tutor

Before pupils start to look for a tutor, they should be clear about exactly what they are looking for. Questions to ask yourself are –

• What subject and which level?
• Where do I want the lessons to take place?
• What times and days am I available?
• What kind of personality am I looking for in a tutor?
• How important is the tutor’s experience to me?
• How much do I want to pay per hour?

Traditionally, a tutor was found either by word of mouth, adverts in local press or the Yellow Pages. Now, tutors are also likely to advertise online, either through their own website or by posting a listing on paid for or free websites. When looking for a tutor, try and find one which has willingly volunteered information about themselves. It is also advisable to look for a tutor who is easy to contact. With tutors, it is a case of the more transparent they are, the better.

Stage 2 – Telephone Conversation

Once you have found a tutor, have a chat with them on the telephone. Try and get your key questions answered – do they tutor your subject? Have they experience of your level? What qualifications does he or she have? Will they travel to your home or do you go to them? How much do they charge? Once you have had all these questions answered and you are happy to proceed, arrange a Consultation with the tutor.

Stage 3 – The Consultation

The Consultation should be free, no obligation and held at your home. It is an opportunity for you to speak to your tutor in greater detail and ensure that you are both agreed on the key aspects of the tuition. The tutor should not charge for this at all. At the consultation, a pupil would be expected to give details of their performance in the subject, why they want a tutor and what they would expect of him or her. The tutor should give the pupil details of the methods and materials he or she uses. Remember – NEVER leave a child alone with a tutor before checking the tutor’s Disclosure Scotland or Criminal Records Bureau check.

Stage 4 – Checks

The consultation is the ideal opportunity for the tutor to show the pupil his or her Tutor Check. If a tutor does not have a Tutor Check, the pupil should consider asking the tutor to obtain one. A parent of a child should also ensure that tutors have a Disclosure Scotland or Criminal Records Bureau certificate and would be best advised to see a copy of their certificate.

If a pupil does not see a tutor’s Tutor Check, Tutors’ Alliance Ltd. advises pupils to carry out the following checks –

• Eligibility to work in the UK
• Disclosure Scotland/Criminal Records Bureau Certificate
• Postgraduate and undergraduate qualifications
• Secondary School qualifications
• Any other relevant training
• References.

Stage 5 – The first lesson

At the first lesson, the tutor should make clear the objectives of the tutoring session, explain the methods and materials which will be used to meet that objective and also lay out how the sessions will take place. Tutors are advised to produce a letter for pupils detailing their “terms and conditions”. This should include information such as times and locations of lessons, duration of lessons, what a tutor will and will not do etc.

Stage 6 – During the lessons

A tutor is expected to be well prepared for each lesson. It is the tutor’s responsibility to ensure that the pupil’s progress is charted. This can be done by using a table recording the work covered and the homework following each session. Tutors’ Alliance also encourages tutors to provide progress reports at regular interviews which chart the pupil’s progress. It is important that the tutor monitors progress accordingly and addresses any concerns which may arise in the course of the tuition.

Happy tutoring to all!

If you have any questions about tutoring, please do not hesitate to contact us.