How to find the right tutor for your child: a parent's guide

Why get a tutor?

There are several reasons to consider a tutor, and being clear about your child's needs helps you decide whether tutoring is the right step:

• Targeted support. A tutor can identify gaps in knowledge and address specific misunderstandings that are hard to resolve in a full classroom.
• Confidence. One-to-one feedback and support often helps a student see improvement faster, which builds confidence.
• Working at your child's pace. A tutor can slow down or stretch the material, something a whole-class lesson cannot easily do.

How many sessions will my child need?

This depends on the goal. Three common patterns:

• Weekly sessions to keep on top of schoolwork and review topics while they are fresh.
• A short intensive block in the run-up to a mock or exam, focused on exam technique and past papers.
• A one-off session when a specific topic or piece of coursework only needs a single booster.

Discussing the goal with the tutor on first contact is the simplest way to settle on a sensible frequency.

Online or face-to-face?

Both formats have advantages, and the right choice depends on your child:

• Online tuition widens your choice of tutors beyond your local area and gives you more flexibility on timing. Collaborative whiteboards and shared documents can make lessons engaging, though building rapport through a screen can take a little longer.
• Face-to-face tuition adds a personal touch and lets you meet the tutor in person, but your choice is limited to tutors who can travel to you, and travel costs may be added.

How much should you expect to pay?

Tutors set their own hourly rates, and the cost varies with qualifications, experience and demand:

• University students and recent graduates are often the more affordable option, with recent exam experience to draw on.
• Qualified teachers and experienced professional tutors usually charge more, and examiners or specialists more still.

Set a budget first, then compare total cost rather than the headline rate. Platform fees differ — some platforms charge per lesson, others a one-off finder's fee — which affects the total you pay. For a neutral breakdown, see tutoring platform fees and commissions explained.

Where to find a tutor

Most parents start with an online tutor directory or platform, because the choice is not limited to tutors living nearby. This is especially useful in rural areas, and rates are often competitive. When you use a directory, check what the platform itself verifies: for example, TutorDex collects proof of identity, proof of address and two references for registered tutors, and always recommends that families verify the specific tutor themselves.

Local options can also work well, especially for in-person lessons: community groups, school networks, and word of mouth. If you find a tutor this way, do your own background checks to confirm who they are.

Narrowing the shortlist

With many profiles to choose from, a few questions help you shortlist quickly:

• Does your child want someone closer to their age, such as a university student, or a qualified teacher or examiner for more structured guidance?
• Does your child need support with a specific learning difference?
• How important is scheduling flexibility?

Involve your child in the decision, particularly if they were not keen on tutoring to begin with.

What to look for in a tutor's profile

• Bio. Read how the tutor describes their approach — does it suit your child?
• Subjects and levels. One tutor covering several subjects can be convenient, but consider whether they are equally strong in each.
• Qualifications. Are they relevant to the subject and level? A tutor who only studied a subject to GCSE is unlikely to be the right fit for A Level.
• Reviews. Are there reviews, are they positive, and is the most recent one recent?
• Checks. An enhanced DBS check is not a legal requirement for self-employed private tutors, but some families prefer a tutor who holds one. Ask what has actually been checked and when.

Message the tutor before you book

Contact two or three tutors before committing. How they reply is often as informative as what they say. Useful details to include:

• Qualification, year group and exam board, for example: "My child is in Year 11 doing triple science and needs support with AQA biology."
• What specifically they need help with, such as applying knowledge to practical questions or essay technique.
• The frequency you have in mind, such as weekly sessions or a single booster.

Book a first lesson

A first lesson is the best way to see whether your child clicks with the tutor and feels they will benefit. It can take two or three sessions to judge the fit properly, and you are under no obligation to continue: you can try a few tutors before settling on one.

If you provide more information up front, the tutor can make the first session more targeted. Otherwise, they will usually use it to assess strengths and weaknesses and suggest a plan.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my child needs a tutor?

Look for a persistent gap in a subject, lost confidence, or exam technique that needs work. A tutor is most useful when there is a specific goal, such as catching up on a topic or preparing for an exam.

How many tutoring sessions does my child need?

It depends on the goal. Many families choose weekly sessions to keep on top of schoolwork, a short intensive block before exams, or a single session to fix a specific problem.

Is online or face-to-face tutoring better?

Online tutoring widens your choice and offers more scheduling flexibility; face-to-face adds a personal touch but limits you to local tutors and may add travel costs. Either can work well — it depends on your child.

How much should I pay for a private tutor?

Tutors set their own rates. University students are often more affordable, while qualified teachers, experienced tutors and examiners usually charge more. Set a budget and compare the total cost, including any platform fee.

Should I message a tutor before booking?

Yes. Contact two or three tutors, explain your child's year group, subject, exam board and specific needs, and see how they respond. It helps you judge the fit before you pay.

Should I book a trial lesson?

Yes. A first lesson is the best way to see whether your child clicks with the tutor. You are under no obligation to continue, and you can try more than one tutor before deciding.

Do tutors need a DBS check?

Private tuition is not generally a regulated activity, so a DBS check is not a legal requirement for a self-employed private tutor. Some tutors hold an enhanced DBS check anyway; if that matters to you, ask what has been checked and when.