Parent Guide
How to Find a Good Tutor
A short, practical walk-through for UK parents — what to check, what to ask before you book, and the signs that say a tutor isn't the right fit.
What a Good Tutor Actually Does
A good tutor does three things well. They know the subject at the level your child is sitting. They can explain it more than one way when the first explanation doesn’t land. And they’re reliable and safe. This page is a short, practical guide on how to find a good tutor who meets all three marks — without spending weeks on the search.
Private tuition in the UK is unregulated, so the checks fall to you. That’s not hard; it just means you can’t skip it. Ask for proof of the right qualifications — a relevant degree for GCSE or A-Level, or a teaching qualification. Look for an Enhanced DBS with the Children’s Barred List, issued reasonably recently. And take thirty minutes to speak to the tutor before you book, whether you’re after a maths tutor, an English tutor, or someone for science.
Three small habits do the rest. Get specific about the goal before you start — catching up, exam prep or stretching a strong student is a very different brief. Ask direct questions on the first call and listen for honest answers. Trust the trial lesson; it’s the clearest signal of whether your child will actually work with this person.
When you’re ready to shortlist, you can find tutors with subjects, rates and availability shown up front on the Latimer Tuition directory, so you can compare the best tutors openly before messaging anyone.
Ready to meet your shortlist?
Open the Latimer Tuition tutor directory, filter by subject and level, and compare profiles openly. Each one shows qualifications, availability and an hourly rate — so you can start a conversation once the fit feels right.
Support and clarity
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions people ask most often.
How do I know if a tutor is properly qualified for the level I need?
Ask for proof. A tutor teaching GCSE or A-Level should hold a relevant degree or a teaching qualification and be willing to show certificates on request. For primary or KS3, strong subject knowledge plus experience working with children counts. If someone won’t evidence what they claim, treat that as the answer to your next question — and keep looking.
Do private tutors in the UK need a DBS check?
Legally, no. Private tuition is unregulated, which is why parents run their own checks. Ask for an Enhanced DBS with the Children’s Barred List, issued reasonably recently, and inspect the original certificate rather than a photocopy. Every tutor on the Latimer Tuition directory holds a clean Enhanced DBS before they’re allowed to take clients.
What should I ask on a first call with a potential tutor?
Keep it practical. Ask about teaching style, weekly availability, cancellation policy and how they’ll share progress with you. Ask how they’d teach a topic your child is currently stuck on — whether the answer is clear tells you a lot. And ask for a reference, then actually call it. A confident tutor won’t mind any of that.