Do I pay a tutor before or after the session?

Payment timing varies by individual tutor in the UK, but paying in advance — either per session or as a small block of sessions paid upfront — is common practice, and is a reasonable, standard arrangement rather than something to be wary of.

Common payment structures:

• Pay per session, in advance: payment is made shortly before or at the start of each session, common for families booking on an ongoing, informal weekly basis
• Block payment upfront: some tutors ask for a block of sessions (commonly 4–10) to be paid in advance, which can also come with a modest discount compared to paying session by session
• Pay after the session: less common for ongoing weekly arrangements, though some tutors, particularly for a single trial session, are happy to invoice afterwards

Why advance payment is standard practice: as with the cancellation policies discussed elsewhere, a tutoring session represents reserved time in a self-employed tutor's schedule. Advance payment reduces the tutor's exposure to a family cancelling or simply not paying after the time has already been committed, which is a reasonable protection for someone whose income depends entirely on sessions actually happening.

What's worth confirming upfront: the exact payment method (bank transfer is most common), the timing (per session or in a block), and the cancellation policy that applies to any pre-paid sessions, ideally agreed clearly before the first paid session rather than assumed. Most tutors are happy to explain their payment structure directly if asked.