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1. Can I see my teacher's references?
Yes. In fact you should insist on it, just as you would when hiring a nanny, au-pair or cleaner. When you are arranging private tuition, you are introducing a child (or yourself) to a stranger, so you should insist on seeing references and evidence of government screening before private tuition commences. Don't be fobbed off with excuses like "breach of confidentiality" and "writers of open references may not be forthright." When we request references, we also request permission to send copies to clients, inviting the writer to mark his reply "confidential" if he prefers. When we receive confidential references, we then seek additional references until not only are we confident of that teacher's ability to provide risk-free private tuition, but can prove it. We send you these references before the first lesson. Any tutor or private tuition agency with nothing to hide will have no hesitation in sending you full screening documents.
2. Where does tuition take place?
You can choose between your own home and the teacher's home.
3. How much does a call-out cost?
A typical call out costs aproximatly £5
4. How much does tuition cost?
The cost varies depending on 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 teacher. The best thing to do is call us and ask.
5. What levels are covered?
Everything from pre- school to degree level.
6. Which subjects are taught?
We have private teachers for just about everything. The most requested subjects are (in order of popularity) Maths, primary skills, English, Science and French.
7. Do you coach for exams?
Yes. Again the top five requests are: GCSEs, SATS, 'A/AS' levels, private / grammar school entrance and NVQs.
8. Is tuition always 1-to-1?
Yes, unless you bring your own partner or friends. Two people learning the same subject at the same level can share the cost of the lesson. Each additional student after that pays 25% extra. We don't organise classes, but you can if you want to.
9. Will you send me a list and let me pick my teacher?
No - lists are cold and impersonal. Our regional placement officers are in constant touch with the teachers, and will select the teacher whose level, experience and temperament is best suited to your needs.
10. Can I stay and watch the lesson?
Yes, especially the first one as the student is meeting the teacher for the first time. After that most teachers (and students!) prefer the parents to "back off" and leave them to get down to work, but you can stay if you want to. It's safe to leave the student with the teacher (who is not allowed to abandon the children in their charge under any circumstances!) But if you're leaving the house, be sure to be back on time as the teacher is likely to have another commitment.
11. What happens if I don't like the teacher?
Call us and ask for another one. As you only pay for one lesson at a time you can stop, switch teachers or cancel lessons whenever you want as long as you give 24 hours' notice. It's very rare that a student does not get on with one of our teachers, but if it should happen, we never forget that you're the customer. Our job is to give you what you want.
12. If I like the teacher, can I always have the same one?
Yes. That teacher will then reserve that time for you. Barring illness, resignation or death, you'll have the same teacher until you say: "Thanks, I don't need you any more".
13. Can you find me a teacher of several subjects?
At primary level yes, at senior level, no. Primary teachers are trained to cover the whole primary range. Senior level teachers specialise in one area. Some subjects at senior level are related; a Maths teacher might also teach Science, an Economics teacher will likely cover Business Studies etc. But a teacher offering e.g. GCSE Maths, English, Science, German and Music should definitely be treated with caution!
14. Does the price vary from region to region?
Sometimes, yes, depending on local teacher availability. Our job is to get you best value for money whilst paying the teachers enough to attract properly qualified ones to join us. In Cambridge , for example, teacher demand is so high that we need to charge more to attract quality teachers to work with us. In Dorset , on the other hand, the same teachers will happily work for £2 per hour less, pleased for the work!
15. Do I have to pay the teacher's tax?
No, that's the teacher's responsibility. Our teachers are self-employed and sort out their own contributions.
16. How do I pay?
You can give the teacher cash or cheque (with a guarantee card) at the end of each lesson. Cheques should be made payable to your teacher.
17. Can adults have private tuition too?
Yes, of course. The subjects most frequently requested by adults are foreign languages (particularly when clients' work takes them abroad) and musical instruments. It doesn't cost any more and there's no age limit.
18. Do you offer a service to companies?
Yes. Companies frequently ask us to provide private tuition in a foreign language (usually German or French) for an individual or small groups. This is usually accompanied by a request to specialise in business language, so we'll need to know which line of business you're in to teach you what you need to know. Call Head Office on 01525 721222 for further details.
