Becoming a private tutor- all questions here

therivierakid

Yep, you should be fine to tutor chemistry at any level and maths and physics up to GCSE at least.

Knowing the syllabus is a must. Just download them from the examining bodies' websites. It's well worth having a go at a few past papers yourself too.

You would still need to register as self employed with HMRC and sort out your own taxes even if you do register with an agency. You should make sure you're not tied to an agency though. Advertise privately as soon as possible.

With regard to planning lessons it all depends on what the student wants really. Some want help with homework, others revision sessions, others will want a headstart on topics they haven't covered yet. Be flexible and always have a book or two or a past paper to fall back on. Remember it's their lesson - very few will want you to dictate what to cover in the lessons - give them some choice and they will feel much more engaged.

Don't forget to use your expertise to bring the subject to life and to show them interesting topics when you have the odd 5 minutes to fill. For example, I did the Seven Bridges of Konigsberg problem with one of my Year 9s and she loved it.

alexpg wrote: »

Hi,

I m thinking of turning to ttoring to help increase my income a bit, maybe a couple of nights a week and an occasional Sunday. Although I have no real teaching experience I do have a PhD in Chemistry and did some physics and maths at uni so from what I can tell this should be enough to make an employable tutor.

I'm thinking about going through an agency to begin with, as from what I've read they do the background checks. Just wondering, do they sort out my taxes, etc, or would I still need ot register as self employed and sort that out myself? If word of mouth spread and I found myself in demand, would I still have to go via the agency?

How exactly do people plan out there leasons? Do they get the student decide what needs to be worked on, or does the tutor dictate and give a general overview? Having finished school over ten years ago (which was in Scotland whilst I now live in England) how important is knowing the syllabus? Do agencies help with proviing information on the courses? How much time do you have to dedicate outside of contct time towards making up lesson plans, etc?

Are their any agencies that people recommend that fit with what I am looking for?

BeautyandtheBeast_3

alexpg wrote: »

Hi,

I m thinking of turning to ttoring to help increase my income a bit, maybe a couple of nights a week and an occasional Sunday. Although I have no real teaching experience I do have a PhD in Chemistry and did some physics and maths at uni so from what I can tell this should be enough to make an employable tutor.

I'm thinking about going through an agency to begin with, as from what I've read they do the background checks. Just wondering, do they sort out my taxes, etc, or would I still need ot register as self employed and sort that out myself? If word of mouth spread and I found myself in demand, would I still have to go via the agency?

How exactly do people plan out there leasons? Do they get the student decide what needs to be worked on, or does the tutor dictate and give a general overview? Having finished school over ten years ago (which was in Scotland whilst I now live in England) how important is knowing the syllabus? Do agencies help with proviing information on the courses? How much time do you have to dedicate outside of contct time towards making up lesson plans, etc?

Are their any agencies that people recommend that fit with what I am looking for?

Hi there, I am a fully qualified science teacher and i can tell you that there is a def need for physics specialists! However evry agency i have been with want to see my CRB and my teaching qualification, so im not too sure how you would get on with the more reputable agencies.

The agencies dont tend to give you any resources or info on the courses - you are expected to know this. all they do is arrange the client with the tutor and charge 20% of the tuition fee.

You must know the course content of all the exam boards and bear in mind there are different aspects of the course - for instance you can have multiple choice, longer answers, single sciences, applied sciences, triple sciences. YOU MUST know your exam boards and the requirements of the course.

As for tutoring, I always do an initial assessment and ask the students to tell me what they think they are weak on and then i plan out a series of lessons, but thats something that comes directly from teaching day in and day out. Some students however will ask for help on just on aspect i.e electrolysis, haber process etc.

I have been asked by parents about my teaching experience and they do tend to want teachers/people who have experience of being in classroom environment and also have a good understanding of what their child will be facing.

So good luck but check with the agencies re the teaching qualification. If youwant any names of agencie please feel free to PM me.

glittergal_2

Hi eveyone, I've just read through this thread. Some great tips - thanks.

I'm an actress. Drama school trained after completing GCSE's and A Levels in drama. I have recently been working as a Cover Supervisor in a secondary school. It's a flexible job which I enjoy and allows me to audition when I need to.

When I have taken drama classes I have utterly loved it. I have really felt that I have given something to the kids and have helped them with their practical pieces - so I'm talking GCSE level here.

It has led me to think about tutoring. I am not a trained teacher. I work well with children and have a history of providing drama workshops to kids aged 3-18. My question is does anyone know if there is much demand for someone like me? Coaching for practical drama exams at GCSE, A Level and maybe even stage school entry.

Theory is not my thing - I know enough about it but wouldn't feel I was giving anything to my students. Practical on the other hand I know I can bring them on leaps and bounds.

I'd be grateful for any thoughts and advice.

BeautyandtheBeast_3

hi glittergal,

im not sure if there is a call for drama tutoring etc, i guess it depends where you live tbh. However without you being a qualified teacher im not sure that you would secure much work in that field, i imagine that parents who are preparing students for stage school entrance exams would opt for a tutor with a proven track record. Perhaps contacting an agency may help to answer some questions for you?

Titchvic

Just curious for people's opinions.
I got my QTS 10 years ago, but apart from a year of supply immediately after that I havent been in a primary school since. I have continued to teach in one form or another - teaching english abroad, teaching foreign students here, and now training IT in the NHS. Am wondering how easy it would be for me to go into private tutoring. Would probably start with 11+ as that is still in our area, and then maybe progress onto primary maths or english once I had got myself up to date on them all. What do you think?
Are agencies or public likely to accept a primary tutor who hasnt been in a primary school for nearly 10 years??? Or am I maybe hoping for too much?
Any opinions or tips gratefully received!! Thanks

Gazing_On_Sunsets

Titchvic wrote: »

Just curious for people's opinions.
I got my QTS 10 years ago, but apart from a year of supply immediately after that I havent been in a primary school since. I have continued to teach in one form or another - teaching english abroad, teaching foreign students here, and now training IT in the NHS. Am wondering how easy it would be for me to go into private tutoring. Would probably start with 11+ as that is still in our area, and then maybe progress onto primary maths or english once I had got myself up to date on them all. What do you think?
Are agencies or public likely to accept a primary tutor who hasnt been in a primary school for nearly 10 years??? Or am I maybe hoping for too much?
Any opinions or tips gratefully received!! Thanks

Not strictly an answer to your question as I don't know about primary but if you've got English to foreign students experience then you could do that. I work as a private tutor to Polish adults, word just spread once I had the first student. Two of them go to college as well as see me - they prefer the one to one they get with me and are prepared to pay. I don't have a TEFL qualification either. I am not through an agency - I advertsied on one website which got me a primary student, but all the others were from cards in newsagents then word of mouth. Good luck!

janey17

Hi there

I am in the middle of setting up a new Study Centre in Maths and English from the age of 8 upwards.

An advisor has suggested that I offer tuition to mature students 16+ due to the govt wanting people to have at least basic skills in English and Maths. Just wondered if anyone has tapped into that area ? Thinking NVQ's etc

Many thanks

ValerieKemp

Titchvic wrote: »

Just curious for people's opinions.
I got my QTS 10 years ago, but apart from a year of supply immediately after that I havent been in a primary school since. I have continued to teach in one form or another - teaching english abroad, teaching foreign students here, and now training IT in the NHS. Am wondering how easy it would be for me to go into private tutoring. Would probably start with 11+ as that is still in our area, and then maybe progress onto primary maths or english once I had got myself up to date on them all. What do you think?
Are agencies or public likely to accept a primary tutor who hasnt been in a primary school for nearly 10 years??? Or am I maybe hoping for too much?
Any opinions or tips gratefully received!! Thanks

As you do not need to have any qualifications to become a private tutor, there is nothing stopping you setting up a tutoring business straight away. With your background in education, you shouldn't struggle to attract pupils. Most agencies would consider anyone with QTS and a background in education, so don't let the fact you're no longer teaching in a school put you off. As long as you are up-to-date with the curriculum and are confident that you are a suitable person to tutor, you should find work. However, you don't have to work for an agency and could set up on your own. Have you considered using your contacts to offer a few reduced price sessions for friends' children in order to establish a reputation? Never under-estimate the power of word of mouth in the private tuition sector!

Good luck and I hope I have helped. Please let me know should you have any other questions.

Valerie Kemp
Tutors' Alliance

ValerieKemp

janey17 wrote: »

Hi there

I am in the middle of setting up a new Study Centre in Maths and English from the age of 8 upwards.

An advisor has suggested that I offer tuition to mature students 16+ due to the govt wanting people to have at least basic skills in English and Maths. Just wondered if anyone has tapped into that area ? Thinking NVQ's etc

Many thanks

My own opinion would be that to attract funding for that sort of thing, you would need to be established first and be able to demonstrate what you can offer and the benefit it would bring. It seems like quite a big enterprise to cater for school pupils from 8 - ? and basic skills all at the same time when you set up as the needs will be very different for adults and children. That said, it would seem like a sensible idea for the future as you could run that in the morning and then the pupils in the afternoon.

I hope that helps.

Valerie Kemp
Tutors' Alliance.

BeautyandtheBeast_3

Titchvic wrote: »

Just curious for people's opinions.
I got my QTS 10 years ago, but apart from a year of supply immediately after that I havent been in a primary school since. I have continued to teach in one form or another - teaching english abroad, teaching foreign students here, and now training IT in the NHS. Am wondering how easy it would be for me to go into private tutoring. Would probably start with 11+ as that is still in our area, and then maybe progress onto primary maths or english once I had got myself up to date on them all. What do you think?
Are agencies or public likely to accept a primary tutor who hasnt been in a primary school for nearly 10 years??? Or am I maybe hoping for too much?
Any opinions or tips gratefully received!! Thanks

Hi there, Because you are a qualified teacher you would be accepted by most reputable agencies regardless of if you have been in school yesterday or 11 years ago. Its difficult to start tutoring as an individual, to start with an agency would be my advice and then build up your client base. Good Luck.

p.s 11+ charge mega money per hour!