Home Education Tutors in the UK

Tutors serve different purposes for different families. Common reasons for bringing in a tutor include:

• Subject expertise: When a subject moves beyond the parent's knowledge or confidence, particularly at GCSE level in sciences, languages, or mathematics.
• Exam preparation: Tutors experienced with specific exam boards can provide targeted revision, exam technique, and practice paper marking.
• Fresh perspective: Some children respond better to instruction from someone other than their parent, particularly during adolescence.
• Specific learning needs: Specialist tutors can support children with dyslexia, dyscalculia, or other learning differences.
• Accountability and structure: Regular tutor sessions provide a consistent schedule and external motivation.

For background on how home education works in the UK, including legal requirements and curriculum choices, see our main guide: How does home education work in the UK?

Online Tutors

Online tutoring has grown significantly and offers several advantages for home educating families. Sessions typically take place via video call with screen sharing for working through materials together.

Benefits include access to specialist tutors regardless of location, no travel time, often lower costs, and flexibility in scheduling. Most subjects can be taught effectively online, though some practical subjects may be better suited to in-person instruction.

In-Person Tutors

Face-to-face tutoring can be particularly effective for younger children, hands-on subjects, or students who find it harder to concentrate during video calls. Tutors may come to your home or meet at a library or other public space.

In-person tuition typically costs more due to travel time and expense. Availability depends on your location, and the pool of suitable local tutors may be smaller than the online market.

Tutoring Agencies vs Independent Tutors

Tutoring agencies handle vetting, DBS checks, and matching tutors to students. They charge higher rates but provide added safeguards and administrative convenience. Independent tutors found through recommendations or platforms may offer lower rates but require more due diligence from parents.

Tutor rates in the UK vary based on subject, level, location, and the tutor's qualifications and experience.

When budgeting, consider that most tutors recommend at least one session per week per subject. Some offer package discounts for booking multiple sessions in advance. Online tutors may charge less as they have no travel costs.

There is no legal requirement for private tutors to hold a DBS check in the UK. However, it is strongly advisable to use tutors who have been vetted appropriately.

An enhanced DBS check reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, and relevant police information. Tutors cannot apply for their own DBS check; they must apply through an organisation such as an umbrella body or tutoring agency.

When hiring a tutor, you should:

• Ask to see their DBS certificate and check the date (most organisations consider certificates over 3 years old as outdated)
• Verify their identity matches the certificate
• Request references from other families they have tutored
• Check their qualifications and subject knowledge
• Consider using the DBS Update Service to check if their certificate is still current

If using an agency, ask about their vetting procedures. Reputable agencies conduct enhanced DBS checks on all tutors and verify qualifications.

There are several ways to find tutors for home educated children:

Tutoring Platforms and Agencies

Websites such as Tutorful, MyTutor, and First Tutors allow you to search for tutors by subject, level, and location. These platforms typically verify qualifications and DBS status. Some specialise in home education or offer tutors experienced with private candidates.

Home Education Networks

Local home education groups and online communities are excellent sources of recommendations. Other home educating parents can share their experiences with specific tutors and suggest those who understand the home education context.

Subject Specialists

For specialist subjects or exam preparation, consider tutors who are current or former teachers, examiners for specific exam boards, or subject graduates with tutoring experience. University students can be a cost-effective option for younger age groups.

Many home educating families bring in tutors specifically for GCSE preparation. This is particularly common for subjects where the parent lacks confidence or where exam technique is crucial.

When choosing a tutor for GCSE preparation, consider:

• Experience with the specific exam board (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Cambridge IGCSE)
• Understanding of private candidate requirements
• Access to past papers and mark schemes
• Ability to teach exam technique alongside content

For more information on taking GCSEs as a home educated student, see our guides to GCSEs for home educated students and IGCSEs for private candidates.

While tutors can be valuable, they are not the only option for subject support. Many home educating families use a combination of approaches:

• Online courses: Structured courses with video lessons and assessments can cover subjects systematically without the ongoing cost of a tutor.
• Group classes: Some tutors offer small group sessions at reduced rates. Home education groups sometimes organise shared tuition.
• Educational platforms: Happy Home Education and similar platforms provide curriculum resources, lesson plans, and exam preparation materials that parents can use to teach subjects themselves.
• Exam board resources: Exam boards publish specifications, past papers, and examiner reports that can guide independent study.

For many families, a mix of parent-led learning, online resources, and occasional tutor support for specific subjects or exam preparation provides the best balance of cost and effectiveness.