Hiring tutors for your children is a provably effective way to improve their academic performance. However, not all tutors deliver the same result. If you hire a poor tutor, don’t expect much improvement in your child’s academic result. However, if you hire a great one, be prepared to watch your child become the star at his school. But how do you find the right, and great tutor?

1. Start at school

Your child’s school is a great place to start looking for a tutor. Observe your child’s teachers, and analyse your child’s results and academic growth. Pay attention to the rapport between them as well. A good teacher has the ability to improve the confidence and self-sufficiency of their students. Once you finally found a good one, ask them whether they are interested to become a private in-person tutor for your kid.

Need a mathematics tutor for your son? Image courtesy of Pixabay

2. Ask around

Speak to people you trust and respect, including teachers in your child’s school, and ask for their recommendations of a tutor nearby. Outline your expectations. Be courteous, but be very detailed. Chances are, they will be able to recommend a good option for now. However, never commit to anything. Meet the prospective tutors first, and conduct a thorough evaluation and background checks. Ask if they are registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). If they are not registered there, you have the option of conducting the check yourself for a nominal fee.

3. Search online

There are dozens and dozens of websites offering tutoring services in the UK. Some of them even have a nationwide network of potential tutors. Don’t pick the first one you see – perform proper due diligence. Read reviews by other parents, do a search on them on search engines and social media to uncover any potential cause for concern. Again, ask whether they’ve done a DBS screening. Once you’ve gathered all the relevant information (and after filtering out the unsuitable ones), you may begin the interview process.

4. Online or in-person

An online tutor or an in-person tutor, that is the question. Both have different benefits and disadvantages, so you need to perform a self-interview to find out what you and your child want or need.

For what it’s worth, online tutors offer so much convenience. You don’t have to drive your kid around or invite a stranger home – the lessons will be delivered using the computer in your living room or bedroom. The safety aspect of this option is particularly attractive to parents.

Nevertheless, in-person tutors have one thing going for them – they can create an emotional bond with your child. This is such an important consideration, since this bond can help your child in so many ways. Furthermore, this connection is vital when dealing with problematic kids.

Good luck!