Private tuition is not solely the domain of the rich and wealthy. Nor is it the bastion of the pushy parent. Tuition is there to help all, and you will find your students come from a variety of backgrounds, with varied aspirations. There are 6 main myths surrounding tuition and you can find out what they are here.
Parents look for tutors for many different reasons. Their children could be struggling at school, generally or in a particular subject, or they could be lacking the confidence they need to progress. Many parents come to us looking for tutors to help their children with specific examinations, whilst others aren’t sure why their children are struggling. Whatever the reason, there is not one type of parent who comes to us.
There is a common thread, however, in the parents who set out to find a tutor: they all want the best educationally for their children. This is not to say that those who don’t seek tuition are worse parents, it is merely to state that wishing to help their children learn is the only characteristic which is universal for all of the parents who contact us.
Statistics bear out the range of parents employing tutors. One in four UK children, and almost half in London, now have private tuition. This has risen by more than a third over the past decade, from 18% in 2005 to 25% now. One expert in the tuition industry recently claimed that among children from ethnic minority groups, the proportion receiving tuition was around half. Given the breadth of those securing the services of a private tutor, no-one can now claim that this is purely a pursuit of the wealthy.
Indeed, many of the parents who contact us, do so specifically because they do not have a strong educational background themselves and, therefore, find it difficult to support their children educationally themselves. These parents often turn to outside support for assistance. They are not only looking for a tutor who can help their children progress but also one who can explain concepts to themselves so they can help their child at home.
If a student is generally managing their academics well but has trouble solving quadratic equations or understanding the rules of French grammar, then a subject-area tutor is a good solution.
However, if a student has more global challenges managing time, organising materials, sustaining effort, and studying effectively, this indicates a need to strengthen Executive Function skills, which are the constellation of self-management skills required to set and attain goals."
Jackie Stachel, Director of Marketing and Communications, Beyond Booksmart
So forget the image of tutors turning up to gravel drives and turreted homes, and instead look forward to helping families from a range of backgrounds, many who rely on tutors to help them help their children.
Nor is it solely children who learn. Many adults take extra lessons to plug gaps in their qualifications, learn new skills for work or purely for enjoyment.
You will find that you are contacted by a raft of varied individuals, but it is up to you to decide who you would like to tutor.
Scott Woodley, Co-founder of Tutorful
Scott is a fully qualified primary school teacher who left teaching to set up Tutorful, a site which helps parents and learners find the right tutor for them.
If you are looking to become a tutor, you can easily create a profile with Tutorful. You can set your own price, offer online or face-to-face tuition and begin building your rewarding career in no time.
