Updated July 2026
Finding the right tutor for your child starts with being clear about what you need, whether that's exam preparation, catching up on missed work, building confidence, or specialist GCSE and A-Level support. This guide covers everything parents need to know, from what qualifications to look for and what questions to ask, to how much tutoring costs and how to find the right match for your child.
What are the benefits of private tutoring?
When it works well, private tutoring can be transformative. It allows teaching to be completely focussed on your child's needs and their particular way of learning. Personalising learning in this way can really help to identify and tackle gaps and areas of weaknesses in a child's learning. 1-1 support can improve a child's confidence and help them to develop effective study skills. It can improve their enthusiasm for a subject and their general engagement with learning.
Some of the many reasons parents use private tutors are:
- To help with preparation for a particular exam, most often the eleven plus, GCSEs or A Levels.
- To provide additional support for a child with Special Educational Needs.
- To help a child catch up with work missed due to illness or other disruption.
- To teach a child more effective ways to learn and to build their confidence.
- To support a child who finds it difficult to work effectively in a classroom environment.
- To encourage or nurture a child's passion for a particular subject.
How do I know if my child needs a tutor?
Your child's teacher is the best person to discuss this with initially. They should be able to advise if they think tutoring would be helpful. There may be other things that are worth trying first. Teachers will be able to know if there are any additional resources available at school or any extra support that they can give.
Do ask your child whether they think they need extra support. For tutoring to work well, your child needs to be on-board with the idea and willing to engage with the process. Involving your child in the decision to get a tutor and the choice of tutor might help with this.
How to find a tutor
It's helpful to take a bit of time to think about exactly what it is that you're looking for in a tutor as each child has different needs.
Some things to consider are:
- Do you need your child to be prepared for a particular exam? If so, the tutor's experience and success rate at that exam might be the most important factor.
- If you're looking to tackle some problem areas and give your child a confidence boost then the tutor's personality and how well you think they will get on with your child might be key.
- Are you looking for longer term support or a quick fix for a particular problem?
- Does your child have particular educational needs that mean you need a tutor with experience in that area?
- Would in-person or online tutoring work best for your child?
Once you have a clearer idea of what type of tutor you are looking for it can be helpful to talk to your child's teacher. They can often recommend local tutors or may even do some tutoring themselves. Other parents are often a good source of recommendations too.
For GCSE and A-Level support specifically, School Guide recommends The Degree Gap, voted GCSE Tutoring Specialists of the Year 2025 and 2026. They personally match every family with a tutor by subject, exam board and what your child actually needs, and offer a free 40-minute consultation to start.
For a wide range of tutor recommendations see our Tutor Directory.
What qualifications should I look for in a private tutor?
Although the tutoring sector is booming, tutors are not currently regulated, so anyone can set themselves up as a tutor. This means that you will need to check that a tutor has the qualifications and experience that are important to you. As a minimum all tutors should have a DBS certificate verifying that they have been checked to work with children.
Tutoring agencies should do their own checks on tutors' qualifications. Some tutors are members of The Tutor's Association which has a code of conduct and offers training and qualifications.
If you are looking for support for a specific exam, the eleven plus, GCSEs or A Levels, then it is important that the tutor has experience of teaching to that exam, knows the syllabus and understands the mark scheme.
Questions to ask a private tutor
Here's a checklist of some of the specific questions you might want to ask a prospective tutor:
- What is your educational background?
- How much tutoring experience do you have?
- What teaching styles do you use?
- Where will the tutoring happen and what availability do you have?
- How much tutoring would you recommend and how often?
- What are your fees and arrangements for cancellations and holidays?
- Have you got a DBS certificate and can you show me a copy of it?
- Do you have references from parents of previous or current pupils?
How often should my child have tutoring sessions?
This will depend on your aims for the tutoring. If it is to tackle a few problem areas and improve confidence, a session a week should be enough. If you are looking for more significant academic improvements, more time will be needed.
Tutors advise starting as early as possible. Particularly for eleven plus, GCSEs and A Levels, it can be easier and less stressful to iron out problems and build confidence earlier rather than later.
What is the cost of hiring a private tutor?
Costs can vary hugely depending on which type of tutoring you opt for and which part of the country you are in. An unqualified student might charge from £20 an hour. For a qualified teacher expect to pay £40 an hour or more. Tutors with lots of experience and proven results will usually charge more. Some London tutoring companies charge £80 an hour or more.
Online tutoring is usually cheaper than in-person tutoring. Bear in mind that you are also paying for the time the tutor spends preparing for the lesson and marking work.
How can I assess the progress my child is making with a private tutor?
An experienced tutor should be able to advise on the progress that a child is likely to make after an initial assessment and will keep you updated throughout. Often, your child will be the best judge of whether the tutoring is working for them. Do check in regularly to make sure that your child is enjoying the tutoring and feels that it is helpful.
If you or your child is not happy with the tutor you are working with, don't be afraid to make a change. All tutors and all children are different and sometimes it can take a few attempts to find the right combination.
Frequently asked questions: finding a tutor
How do I find a good tutor for my child?
Start by being clear about what you need, whether that's exam preparation, catching up on missed learning, or specialist GCSE and A-Level support. Talk to your child's teacher first, ask other parents for recommendations, and use a trusted directory. For GCSE and A-Level tutoring, consider a specialist agency like The Degree Gap, which personally matches families with tutors by subject and exam board.
What qualifications should a private tutor have?
Tutoring is not regulated in the UK, so there are no mandatory qualifications. However, a good tutor should have relevant subject knowledge, experience working with children at the right level, and an enhanced DBS certificate. For exam preparation, look for someone who knows the specific syllabus and mark scheme your child will be assessed on.
Does my child's tutor need a DBS check?
Yes. Any tutor working with children should have an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate. Always ask to see the original certificate before the first session. Reputable tutoring agencies carry out DBS checks on all their tutors as part of their vetting process.
How much does a private tutor cost in the UK?
Costs vary widely. An unqualified student tutor might charge from £20 an hour. A qualified teacher typically charges £40 an hour or more. Specialist GCSE and A-Level tutoring agencies may start from £40 per hour. Prices are generally higher in London and other major cities.
How often should my child have tutoring sessions?
For most children, one session a week is a good starting point. If you are aiming for significant academic improvement ahead of GCSEs or A Levels, more frequent sessions may be needed. Start as early as possible, the closer to exams, the more pressure on both child and tutor.
Should I use a tutoring agency or an independent tutor?
A tutoring agency vets, interviews and DBS-checks tutors on your behalf, which adds a useful layer of quality control. An independent tutor may be more flexible on price but requires more due diligence from the parent. Agencies are often the better choice when you need a specialist or want peace of mind on safeguarding.
How do I know if tutoring is working?
A good tutor will carry out an initial assessment and give you regular progress updates. Your child should feel more confident in the subject and, over time, their work at school should improve. If your child is unhappy with their tutor or not progressing, don't be afraid to make a change.
What is the best way to find a GCSE tutor?
Look for a specialist agency with experience in GCSE exam technique and knowledge of the specific exam board your child is sitting. School Guide recommends The Degree Gap, voted GCSE Tutoring Specialists of the Year 2025 and 2026, who offer a free 40-minute consultation to get started.
