Find the Right GCSE Maths Tutor: A Guide
For many teenagers (and parents), their GCSE’s are a worrying time. While other exams such as the SAT’s are important, GCSE’s are often used as a marker to determine someone’s eligibility for further education.
Most apprenticeships and college subjects require a minimum grade C in the core subjects, such as English and Maths, so it’s natural to feel anxious if your child is falling behind with their studies.
While teachers are usually willing to offer extra support, a tutor can provide a bespoke learning experience for students.
In this article, we will be covering a few steps that you can take to help find the right GCSE maths tutor for your needs. The following tips will give you an idea of what factors may affect your search process and how they might impact your final decision.
Why Are Tutors Beneficial For Students?
There are many benefits of hiring tutors for GCSE students, and it’s often more effective than a parent teaching their child. If a student is struggling in maths, it can be difficult for teachers to provide one to one support, but tutors can dedicate themselves entirely to one student.
In fact, a tutor could be the difference between your child failing or passing their exams. Here are some other benefits of maths tutors.
Tutors Can Focus On Specific Areas
Maths is a complex subject, especially when you get to the GCSE level. There are so many theories and applications to learn, so many students struggle.
One of the significant benefits of a GCSE math’s tutor is the personalised experience they offer. While teachers must follow each aspect of the curriculum and focus on all of their students, a tutor can provide specialised support in specific areas.
For example, if a student has an excellent grasp of algebra but struggles with other areas such as fractions, the tutor can dedicate most of the lessons to problem topics, which is something teachers cannot do in general classes.
Specialists in Time Management & Exam Preparation
Let’s face it; nobody likes preparing for their exams, and most are happy when they’re over! The best tutors are experts in time management and can help your child prepare for their exams.
If you find a great tutor, they’ll also be able to help your child learn and revise in a way that suits them (such as asking questions, listening to recorded lessons and practical exercises).
Confidence Building
Falling behind with maths at school can cause a loss of confidence – especially as it’s one of the core subjects. However, tutoring can motivate students and help them approach their studies with confidence.
One of the most significant factors in passing an exam is remaining calm and applying your learning to the questions. A maths tutor can make a massive difference to a students ability to keep calm and make it through their exams.
How To Find A Good Maths Tutor
There are a few things that you should take into account when finding a tutor for your child. By following these tips, you’ll be able to ask the right questions and make a decision with your child.
Experience
While there will be many maths tutors, GCSE level education requires a more bespoke approach. It’s crucial to ensure that the tutor has experience teaching maths at the GCSE level because they’ll be able to tailor the lessons to specific areas.
Personality
Another thing to consider is the personality of the tutor. Do they seem like someone your child will feel comfortable working with? People respond to different teaching styles, and while some might be best with a no-nonsense approach, other students need more care.
If your child has confidence issues, you should find them an understanding tutor willing to take it slow and support them with all aspects of learning, including developing self-esteem and motivation to continue their education.
Reviews
Reviews are one of the best ways to see whether a potential tutor is right for you. When reading reviews, don’t just look at the star rating – read some of the feedback to get a better idea about what the tutor is like.
It’s always a good idea to check out an impartial review website such as TrustPilot or Google My Business because you’ll get a comprehensive view of both positive and negative feedback.
Qualifications
Maths is a complex subject, and a GCSE level tutor should demonstrate their experience and qualifications. Most tutoring companies require secondary level tutors to have a degree in their chosen subject because it shows they can support students with all topics and mathematical theories.
While a degree isn’t essential, it is a good sign of a tutor’s capability and beneficial for students who struggle with maths.
Price
Tuition prices can vary greatly, and it’s important that you find something affordable. However, don’t always go for the cheapest option as this may mean your tutor doesn’t have any experience or qualifications.
It’s best to set a budget and find a tutor who meets your requirements within your spending limit. Agencies often have great rates and can be more cost-effective than a private tutor operating on a freelance basis.
Availability/Schedule
It can often feel like there isn’t enough time in the day when you’re juggling work commitments with childcare responsibilities, so finding someone who has flexible hours is beneficial.
You should also check if the tutor can accommodate your child in terms of homework support. While some tutors will only offer support during the lesson, others will happily keep in touch with your child and provide support – which is great for learners with low self-esteem.
Final Thoughts
Finding a GCSE maths tutor can be daunting, but with the proper guidance, you’ll be able to support your child to gain the skills and confidence to move into further education.
While many careers don’t require extensive mathematical skills, certain industries such as medicine, finance and some forms of construction do. It’s always good to have as many opportunities as possible, and a Fleet tutor can help your child diversify their skills.
If you’d like to know more about our specialist maths tutors, please feel free to contact our friendly customer service team.