The 21 most commonly asked questions by parents about 1 to 1 and small group tuition information.
1. What qualifications do your tutors have?
All of our tutors must have at least a degree or a Teaching Qualification to tutor for us.
2) How do you vet your tutors ?
All of our tutors must produce:
- a copy of their qualifications
- a copy of an up to date CRB Enhanced Clearance or DBS certificate, in accordance with current government guidelines.
- an up to date CV
- proof of Id
Contact details of 2 up to date professional referees (either academic or work related ) within the last two years – one of these must be current.
3. Can I see my teacher’s references and qualifications?
Yes. If you want to see copies of the tutor’s references, we will either email you or post a copy of them to you (provided the referees that we have contacted for the tutor have given us their permission to disclose the reference). Similarly, we will send you copies of the tutor’s qualifications (with the tutor’s permission).
Elite Tutors
4. How much are the travel costs, if a tutor travels to my home?
A typical travel fee ranges from £3 to £6, but in rare circumstances the tutor may charge slightly more if they are travelling from far.
5. How much does tuition cost?
The cost varies according to the level required, whether you want to go to the teacher or have the teacher visit you, and if so the location of the nearest tutor.
For full details please see our tuition rates page.
6. What levels are covered?
Everything from pre- school to degree level.
7. Which subjects are taught?
We have home tutors for practically any subject you require.
The most requested subjects are :
Maths, English, Science and 11+ entrance tuition.
8. What geographical areas do you cover ?
We have highly experienced and qualified tutors in all subjects and levels, throughout the following areas:
London (North, East, South and West) Hertfordshire, Wiltshire (including Devizes, Chippenham and Trowbridge), Essex (including Chelmsford and Colchester), Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Staffordshire (including Wolverhampton), and Shropshire (including Telford & Shrewsbury).
9. Do your tutors prepare students for exams?
Yes, of course. All of our tutors will have access to past paper resources and National Curriculum Resources.
As an agency as well , we provide an extra service that most agencies don’t provide in that for all of our new tutors, we provide Comprehensive resource advice of the best National Curriclum Resources to use, especially for English, Maths and 11 + entrance tuitions, which are the speciality of Kay and Chris.
10. Is tuition always 1-to-1?
In most cases, yes.
However, we also offer small group tuition for groups of 2 or 3.
These offer a cost effective alternative if either your child feels more comfortable in a group setting, or you find it hard to afford a weekly 1 to 1 lessson.
Click here for more details on small group tuitions.
11. Can my child join an existing small group session?
Yes, in theory this is possible, but it would depend on whether there was a suitable small group in operation, for which your child was requiring the same subject and level.
It would also depend on whether of course the parents of the existing children minded an extra child joining the group.
12. Am I contracted to a certain number of lessons with a tutor?
No. We are very flexible and offer a ‘pay lesson by lesson‘ approach.
13. How often should I have my child tutored?
Generally speaking 1 hour per week is usually sufficient for a student to improve in their chosen subject and level. It always provides the regularity for the student, so that what they have been taught is retained.This is the most commonly requested tuition amount.
However, we can also provide tuition as often or as little as you want (from 1 lesson a month to 5 or 6 hours per week).
14. Do you send out lists of tutors?
No – we feel lists offer a very impersonal service.
Instead, we will do all the hard work for you and match your child with the best suited tutor in your area, in terms of their experience and temperament.
15. Can I stay and watch the lesson?
Yes, it is reasonable to ask to watch the 1st lesson at least, although we suggest you do so at a reasonable distance , such as the next room to the lesson, so that both your child and the tutor feel comfortable.
After that, it is generally best to give the tutor more space for them to get on with the job of helping your child.
However, if you decide to leave the house, please be sure to be back by the end of the lesson, as the tutor will normally have another lesson or commitment to get to.
16. What happens if I don’t like the teacher?
Just give us a call, and we will arrange for a replacement tutor for you.
This happens very rarely, as we try to provide you with our most experienced tutor, who we also feel will have the right personality for your child. But, if it does happen, we will take the time to listen to you, as to where it went wrong with the first tutor, and we will take this into account by providing just the right replacement teacher.
17. Can I book the same tutor every week?
Yes, of course. Our tutor will reserve the same lesson day and time for you every week (unless you request to change the lesson time, which is never usually a problem for the tutor), until you no longer require tuition.
18. Do I have to pay the teacher’s tax?
No, all our tutors are self-employed and pay their own tax.
19. How and when do I pay for the tuition?
You can either pay the tutor directly by cash or cheque (with a guarantee card) at the end of each lesson.
20. Do you also provide tuition for adults?
Yes, of course. We will provide you with tuition for whatever subject or level you need. Whether it’s re-sitting a GCSE English or Maths exam, learning a foreign language or learning IT skills, we can cater for whatever you need.
21. Do you offer a tuition service to businesses?
Yes. In fact we have specialist tutors who are experienced tutoring in businesses, whether its improving an employee’s English skills for report-writing purposes or learning a Foreign Language for working abroad with the Company, we have experienced Business tutors in all subjects, who can help.
If you have further questions please contact us on 07769 997 535 or chrisandkay@elitetutors.co.uk