Questions to ask a tutor before you hire
A few good questions tell you more than any profile. These are the ones worth asking before you book, why each matters, and what a strong answer sounds like, so you can pick with confidence.
Ten questions, and what a good answer sounds like
You do not need to ask all of these. Pick the few that matter most for your child and listen for the kind of answer in the last column.
| Ask | Why it matters | A good answer sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Are you DBS checked, and can I see it? | Safeguarding, especially for in-person sessions with a child | Happy to show a recent certificate; comfortable you verify it |
| What experience do you have with my child's exam board? | AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC differ in content and mark schemes | Names the board and the specific papers, not just the subject |
| How will you measure and report progress? | You want evidence of improvement, not a vague sense of it | Topic checks, past-paper scores, a short written update |
| What is your rate, and what does it include? | Avoids surprise fees for planning, marking or materials | A clear hourly rate and exactly what sits inside it |
| Can you share a reference or a review? | Proof from real families is worth more than a sales pitch | Offers a contactable parent or points to genuine reviews |
| What is your cancellation policy? | Protects both sides when life gets in the way | A clear, fair notice window stated upfront |
| How will you tailor sessions to my child? | Generic tutoring underperforms a plan built for one child | Asks about your child first and starts with a quick diagnostic |
| What happens if it isn't working out? | You want an easy exit, not a long lock-in | Relaxed about a trial session, no lengthy contract |
| How often and how long are sessions? | Steady weekly contact drives progress; cramming does not | Suggests a regular slot and a length that suits the age |
| How will you keep me updated between sessions? | You want to raise concerns without chasing for a reply | Agrees a simple channel and a sensible response time |
A note on DBS checks and safeguarding
For in-person sessions with a child, asking about a DBS check is sensible. Private tutors arrange their own checks, so the certificate is theirs to show you.
TutorLab is a directory: it lists tutors so parents can find and contact them. It does not carry out DBS or identity checks itself. Always ask the tutor directly and verify any certificate before sessions begin. For the first few sessions with a younger child, many parents stay nearby or use a shared space at home.
Red flags to listen for
None of these is proof of a problem on its own, but together they are a reason to keep looking.
Tutors: answer these before you are asked
Parents ask the same questions every time. A profile that answers them upfront, your exam boards, your rate and what it includes, how you track progress, and your reviews, wins the booking before the first message. On TutorLab parents contact you directly, you keep 100% of your rate, and listing is free.
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Common questions
What is the single most important question to ask a tutor?
For most parents it is how the tutor will measure and report progress. A tutor who can describe exactly how they will check your child is improving, through topic tests, past-paper scores or short written updates, is a tutor who plans and reflects rather than turning up and talking. For in-person sessions with a younger child, the safeguarding question carries equal weight.
Should every tutor have a DBS check?
Ask, and ask to see the certificate. For in-person sessions with a child, many parents treat a DBS check as essential. Private tutors arrange this themselves, and online one-to-one work is less standardised, so it is reasonable to ask either way. Important to know: TutorLab lists tutors and does not carry out DBS or identity checks itself, so always verify any certificate directly with the tutor before sessions begin.
How many tutors should I speak to before choosing?
Two or three is usually enough. Speaking to more than one lets you compare how they answer the same questions, particularly on progress and tailoring, without dragging the search out so long that your child loses the momentum. A short message to each through their profile is the quickest way to compare.
Should I ask for a trial session?
Yes. A single trial session tells you more than any answer on paper: whether your child engages, whether the tutor listens, and whether the style fits. A good tutor will be relaxed about a trial and will not push you into a long commitment before you have seen them teach.
What are the red flags when speaking to a tutor?
Be wary of a tutor who is vague about how they track progress, who pressures you to pay upfront for a large block of sessions, who will not share a reference, or who is evasive about a DBS check for in-person work with a child. None of these on their own is proof of a problem, but together they are a reason to keep looking.
Once you have your shortlist, read how to choose a tutor, or if your child has additional needs, see tutoring for dyslexia.
Ready to ask?
Find a tutor, send a short message, and ask the questions that matter. Contacting them is free, and you pay the tutor's rate with no agency fees added on top.