Becoming a private tutor- all questions here

Jamesdeer001

Hi

My mate has starting running his own private tutoring website. He has a load of work he wishes to give out so wondering if I wanted to do it. I am interested but he says I first need to get a CRB check.
I've been through the CRB website and don't udnerstand how to it. It says you can't apply directly but then says you can join agencies for about £70 and then get one. is that the only way or is there a better/cheaper/easier way to get a CRB check performed?

Thanks

Mezzo_Bill

I tutor in Medway on Fridays, SE London Saturdays and locally (Whitstable/Canterbury area) the rest of the week. There never used to be enough work locally from the time I started in May 2003 to the start of 2009. Then it picked up a lot and stayed at a high level until the end of term this year (July 2010). However, the expected demand (which normally begins ramping-up in September) has never really got properly going this new school year.

Whereas, demand from London students has been consistent since I started working through Progress Education (in March 2007) right the way to the present day when all my students are private. Naturally enough, it is this work (and in Medway) which is currently keeping the wolf from the door.

I am wondering if Canterbury is the anomaly, being heavily dependent on public sector jobs and so recession-hit or instead, bouyant London where most of my students are now (obtained by word of mouth) from a particular ethnic and cultural/religious group with a strong focus on education. This concern is reinforced by the fact that in October, I finally got a website together with a geographic focus on Medway and North Kent and linked to it from local business websites in a vain attempt to attract more local work. The dream had been to be able, at some point, to give up having to live out of a suitcase at the end of each week and to need only to travel to local students. At present, that dream looks further away than it did two years ago.:(

flt5

I find it amazing that there are people here so well qualified looking for work - I have advertised for graduates for work from home - and the take up has been really bad!!!

I think if you are really keen and well qualified you will have no problem finding work - try the main jobsites like totaljobs and do keyword searches for things like tutor or videoconferencing or whatever suits you. You might find opportunities that you are well suited to.

Another tip for those interested in school level tutoring would be to get in touch with local schools offering after school tuition.

SujiS

Hi there

I am very new to this site and was very interested reading your tips on private tutoring. I have been interested in taking up tutoring for a while but not sure the right way to go about this. In my area, I have found that 11+ tutoring is very much in demand and I think it will be a good starting point. However, I am not sure how to obtain students at that level. I have had previous experience tutoring young children - English, maths, computing etc..(not for 11+ exams), while I was at school/university. I have a degree in Mathematics and Computing and Masters in Intelligent System. I have also been a dance teacher a few years back and enjoyed it but had to give it up as I moved to a different area.

Could someone please direct me on how to get this started. More importantly, where and how should I advertise my skills and experience.

I would really like to get this started in January 2011.

Your help most appreciated. Thank you.

geek84

Hi folks

I am a personal tutor and I teach maths up to GCSE level. I am now also thinking of teaching eleven plus - although I have not done it before. Obviously, I need to get hold of the syllabus and then take it from there.

However, my question is - How do I find out which schools still require their prospective students to sit the 11 plus exam for admission? I live in the West Midlands.

Thanks in advance for your response.

Trixi

Hi. I'm a newly qualified teacher and have not yet secured a job this year so am thinking of advertising as a tutor.

The problem is I live in a rented flat and in the tenancy agreement is a standard 'not carry on any trade of profession upon the property ... but use the property only as a private residence'. As I would not be tutoring from home - I would go to them - I don't know if this would be a problem if/when I register as self-employed (can I use this address?).

Does anyone else have a clue about this? I've searched and skimmed through this thread but can't see this question addressed anywhere else, sorry if it has been answered already.

lulu650

Trixi and geek you both need to contact your union. The union will have the necessary information for teaching as a private tutor. Including info about personal insurance and the fact that you shouldn't be accepting pupils into your own home. As the unions are on a christmas break can I suggest you check their websites.

zeitghost

Hullo
Been reading this thread with interest and tutoring is something I have thought about doing in the past, however I felt that I needed some more qualifications first.

Bit of background on me - I recently received my OU BSc in Computing and Mathematical Sciences with a 2:1. I did originally go to a red-brick Uni back when I was 18 to study Biology but withdrew before my finals (I used to get very exam stressed and be sick for weeks - have managed to contain that slightly now though). I currently work as a contractor in IT doing mainly web development and programming and have been doing this for about 13 years (the first 7 years were not in the programming side). Got 5 A levels all in Pure Maths, Applied Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Biology.

I would like to take on some tutoring work but unsure of the levels/ages I could tutor up to. Anyone have any advice on this and also the best place to get my first pupil. Would like to tutor both Maths and Computing Sciences. One reason for doing this is that I enjoy teaching people on a one to one basis and at some stage I would like to cut down on my contracting work (the amount of travel is quite phenomenal these days).

I currently have my own company that I can work under.

Thanks in advance

therivierakid

I'm sure you could tutor maths up to A-level... just brush up on the syllabi.

zeitghost

Hi RivieraKid
thanks for your very speedy response. I have looked at your replies in this thread and found them very useful indeed - it was nice to see your student intake increase over the time you have been tutoring. One more thing - where is the best place to start, is it putting up adverts in local supermarkets or newsagents or registering on one of the tutor websites (as some of these charge a registration fee it is often difficult to decide if they are just going to have your fee and you get nothing from it). I did see that initially you had no real response from newspaper advertisements - have you ever tried this advertising medium again?
thanks a lot again