Selecting a Tutor for Your Child – Top Tips from the Experts at Eden Tutors
As a parent, how can you ensure that you have chosen the perfect tutor for your child? With numerous websites advertising tutors, the task of finding a reliable, friendly, and knowledgeable tutor can be overwhelming. As more parents consider hiring tutors to bridge educational gaps or provide additional challenges beyond the classroom, it becomes crucial to approach experienced professionals in the field.
Frustrated by the ineffectiveness of education accessible to students within the state education system, Hannah Benwell and Rebecca Nuthall founded Eden Tutors in 2021. Their goal was to offer the highest quality tuition and a personalised education programme tailored to individual requirements. They work with clients both in the United Kingdom and internationally by providing face to face and online tuition.
Hannah and Rebecca believe that education is not just about academic success, their holistic approach considers the whole child, including their emotional and social wellbeing. We had the pleasure of interviewing Hannah and Rebecca who shared their tips on finding a first-class tutor.
What is more important, qualifications or experience?
Ideally, a great tutor would possess a combination of both experience and qualifications. However, it ultimately depends on the individual situation and the specific requirements of the student. At Eden Tutors, we have carefully selected a team of exceptional educators. There is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach and we carefully assess each candidate based on their experience, qualifications and ability to build rapport with pupils.
Experience brings practical knowledge and a deep understanding of the subject matter, as well as insights into various teaching methods and approaches. An experienced tutor is likely to have encountered a range of student challenges and developed effective strategies to address them. They will also possess valuable interpersonal skills honed through years of working with students. Teaching methods have evolved substantially over the past years and just having a degree in a subject does not necessarily mean that a tutor will be able to teach it in a clear and concise way. It is important to ensure that your tutor has teaching credentials (or, at least, is familiar with the most recent curriculum) and has first-hand experience teaching students of your child’s age in their subject.
Our philosophy is to inspire our students by exposing them to inspirational educators who go beyond purely instilling knowledge, but provide a grounding in life that will take them beyond the classroom. Fostering ambition is a crucial element of a child’s education and the guidance of a ‘tutoring role model’ will help develop their aspirations and create a hunger for goals and challenges.
How can I make sure the learning experience is tailored to my child?
Tutors possess an extensive collection of teaching aids, such as worksheets, books, and other resources, which play an important role in your child’s learning. However, these materials represent just a small part of an exceptional tutoring experience as a whole. A competent tutor goes beyond merely utilising these resources; they actively engage with their students, dedicating time to discuss and work through the materials together. This involves asking follow-up questions, confirming comprehension, and drawing relevant examples from their own experiences to enhance the learning process.
I don’t know the tutor; how can I safeguard my child?
The focus on DBS checking remains central in discussions surrounding safeguarding and child protection, rightfully gaining increased attention. While this check cannot guarantee future behaviour, it does ensure that individuals with a criminal history cannot easily conceal it. It may come as a surprise that not all individuals participating in events involving children are obligated to possess a DBS Certificate. At Eden Tutors, we prioritise safeguarding and recognise that child safety is a shared responsibility. Each tutor undergoes a thorough interview process, an Enhanced DBS Check, comprehensive vetting, reference verification, and confirmation of academic qualifications.
You advise families on hiring the best possible tutors for their children, what advice would you give to our readers?
When selecting a tutor, it is important to consider a wide range of factors, including a tutor’s underlying purpose for supporting students on a one-to-one basis. It is essential that your tutor considers your child’s learning as the utmost priority, enabling them to achieve their academic aims. A tutor should be able to demonstrate great versatility, eager to teach a range of subjects within the curriculum. Their constant focus should be on supporting their students to develop more broadly, including boosting their self-esteem, expanding their horizons, cultivating a love of learning, and developing practical skills like time management and handling pressurised circumstances like exams. They should also be dependable, particularly in terms of punctuality, politeness, and effective communication. Above all, as a parent, you possess the deepest understanding of your child, and your intuition will guide you in determining whether a tutor is the perfect match for them.
If you would like to discuss private tuition for your child, contact Eden Tutors: 01344 508077 / in**@ed*********.uk / www.eden-tutors.co.uk
