When employing a private tutor it is very difficult to know if you will get a competent professional who is good value for money. Simply holding a degree in maths or physics does not qualify you to teach maths or physics respectively. If the tutor has a teaching qualification, such as a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) or holds a QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) this will imply that the individual has been professionally trained to teach.

Selecting the right tutor however is not always about qualifications and involves understanding what is preventing the student from achieving their potential. For example it is common for some tutors who hold advanced degrees in maths to find it difficult to teach students that are struggling with basic concepts, as the tutor has never shared this lack of basic understanding.

Confident Students with Strong Ability

When considering tuition for students who are confident and demonstrate a strong ability at maths or physics, finding a tutor who has a rigorous understanding of mathematics or physics way above and beyond the students is crucial. A qualified teacher is often the best match. The same is true for students that have a major weaknesses in maths or physics as it is important that the tutor is qualified and experienced enough not to confuse the pupil make the situation worse.

Students Lacking Confidence

For students who simply lack confidence it is important to find a tutor who can engage the student and provide mentoring and encouragement as well as having a sound understanding of maths or physics. Interestingly where a student’s major limiting factor is confidence, a tutor within their peer group who has even just a slightly higher level of understanding can produce excellent results.

Therefore the crucial factor when selecting a tutor is finding the right combination of attributes in order to strike a balance between mathematical or physics rigour and an ability to engage and relate well to the student.

Testimonials

“Thought you would like to know that Robert Last, who you tutored last November for a week or so, achieved an A grade pass in his maths GCSE”

Christine Last