When looking to take on any tutor, it is important to know that a strong positive 1:1 relationship between the student and the tutor is imperative. In order to find an A Level Maths/Further Maths tutor that best matches your needs, there are a number of questions you should first ask yourself:
Do you NEED an A Level Maths/Further Maths Tutor?
Before you even start making any enquiries about trying to find a tutor you should talk to your class teacher. They will have the best insight (apart from yourself, obviously) as to how you are doing and whether you are being overly self-critical. If after this conversation you are still feeling like a tutor is a good option, there are many things that you should consider when choosing the right tutor for you. In my experience of classroom teaching and private tutoring, there are three main reasons why a student would engage a tutor:
- The student is feeling behind and needs an A Level Maths tutor to help them catch up.
- The student feels they are doing well but wants an A Level Maths tutor for reassurance
- The student is already achieving highly and needs a tutor to help them excel, possibly to achieve the grades for a conditional offer from a top university.
All of these reasons will be addressed in the next section on getting the most out of a tutor. But first, some information on what you should look for in a good tutor:
Is the A Level Maths/Further Maths tutor a qualified teacher?
Make sure that the tutor has classroom experience; you will find many tutors out there who claim that classroom experience does not matter on a 1:1 basis and in some cases they may be right, however, classroom teachers have a vast experience of giving one-to-one explanations to students of a wide array of differing abilities and are more readily able to adapt their explanations to the given situation. And if your chosen maths tutor is not a qualified teachers, make sure that this is reflected in their price.
Does the A Level Maths/Further Maths tutor have experience delivering your syllabus?
Be sure that any A Level Maths or Further Maths tutor is familiar with your own particular syllabus. Whilst the main A Level Maths syllabuses are more aligned than ever, the A Level Further Maths syllabuses deviate significantly in the optional modules so it is imperative that you check that any tutor is familiar with the syllabus and not simply just “a page ahead in the textbook”.
How much does the A Level Maths/Further Maths tutor cost?
Whilst it’s good to feel like you’ve got a bargain, when it comes to finding a tutor, cheapness isn’t always a good thing. Always ask for an initial conversation and, wherever possible, a short trial session in order to see whether you will be getting value for money. Don’t be shy to directly ask “why do you charge so much/so little?”. When you are spending money on something so important then it is your right to know the answer to this question.
Do you go with an online or an in-person A Level Maths/Further Maths tutor?
This is a relatively new dilemma that parents and students face. Do you go for someone local who can come to your house or do you take the plunge go online. Both have pros and cons. If you stick local you limit the pool of tutors you can choose from but get face-to-face lessons which some people prefer. If you go online you get to cast the net wider, making sure that you get a tutor most suited to you, but they will not be in the same room, although with the recent advances in technology, it is possible for the online experience to be as good as the face-to-face experience of tutoring.
So to summarise, employing the services of a tutor is a big decision and one that should not be taken lightly. Take your time and make sure you have found the right person. And most importantly, don’t commit to anything before trying them out