Four top tips to help parents choose the right tutor ahead of 11+

Many children are gearing up to take their 11+ entrance exams in January, so several parents will be hiring a tutor to get those extra hours of study in before exam day arrives. Below are some tips from Oliver Simmonds, 11+ tutor at Tutorful, online tutoring platform, on his top four tips parents should consider before hiring a tutor.

How Much Are You Willing and Able to Get Involved?
2. Each parent needs to seriously consider the amount of hours they can devote to their child’s tutoring and this is often overlooked. Although a tutor can handle the bulk of the preparation, you may need to be present during homework to ensure the tutor’s techniques are being successfully employed. You might also need to mark your child’s work or sit with them during lessons if they’re very young. A parent’s participation will determine the level of a tutor’s participation because it’s likely that extra lessons may be necessary if you’re unable to devote enough of your own time.
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2. Find a Tutor That Makes You Comfortable

When looking for a tutor it’s important you (the parent) finds one who makes them comfortable. To get on the right track, try to find someone who makes the 11+ seem a less daunting process. If you’re still not sure what to look for, seek out workbook recommendations and the tutor’s familiarity with specific admissions processes.

3. Flexibility is Key
When arranging an initial lesson, request the tutor covers a specific topic to test their flexibility and to understand how much they respect your parental input. You want to ensure the tutor will oblige with your requests and accept your feedback. This will ensure a good relationship is forged which will benefit everyone.

4. Test the Waters
Wait and see how the relationship develops before committing. As with every new relationship, there can sometimes be a ‘honeymoon’ phase so you should wait to see whether the tutor, yourself and your child form an effective partnership. This ‘settling in’ period is where you’ll see if the tutor truly suits you and your child.