Part 4 - Tuition Centres, Tutors and Home School Tutoring
Elective Home Education Information Pack
As you will know from reading previous sections in this pack, it is your responsibility to ensure your child/ren is being provided with a suitable education. However, this does not mean you have to be the person to deliver it, so you can employ a tutor or send your child to a tuition centre.
You may feel that you would benefit from expert tuition for your child/ren especially for key subjects like Maths, English and Science especially if you are planning for your child to sit exams as this will help ensure they are exam ready.
There are many tuition centres and tutors in existence but not all of them will be reputable or safe. It is important that you choose wisely and make informed decisions with regard to choosing a centre or a tutor as it is your responsibility to keep your child safe, so take time to carry out proper checks. Don’t forget it is your money paying for this service so you are entitled to question them thoroughly on what you are getting.
So how do you know if they are reputable? A good centre or tutor will have the following safeguards in place: -
- A DBS certificate (Disclosure Barring Service). This is a check done on anyone who is working unsupervised with children under 18 to make sure there is no known reason why they cannot work with children. People who have a DBS will usually tell you they have one and will show you it, don’t be afraid to ask! If someone does not show you one or does not have one don’t use them! Many freelance tutors will not have them as you can only get them if you work for an organisation.
- Personal liability insurance and other indemnity insurance, this protects against injury and accidents. Check what other insurance they have if it is a tuition centre. Is the building safe, has it had all its fire safety checks – again ask to see them.
- Relevant policies in place such as child protection, bullying, accident policies and ask for copies, reputable centres should have these.
- Part of a bigger overriding organisation that is registered and reputable and acts as third party overseeing communication and contact keeping your details secure and safe. At the outset you communicate through these until you choose a tutor. Then as tuition progresses if any problem occurs you can contact them for help, advice and assistance. Tutors must operate within the organisations guidelines in order to have their details advertised so if they do not they are removed from the organisation’s books.
- A free trial – most centres will allow you to have a free session to see what you think so you are not committed to signing up for sessions or tied into contracts. Some tutors will also do this.
- Testimonials and references – all reputable tuition centres and tutors will have references from people who know them professionally or who have used their services, follow them up by calling the people to check they can recommend the person or centre. You can even ask about their current students and most will be happy for you to contact one or two to ask them how their child’s tuition is going.
- Qualifications – all tutors and tuition centres should be properly accredited, experienced and qualified to teach the subject, so check what qualifications they have, are they a qualified teacher, what subjects do they hold qualifications in? Ask to see them. There is no requirement for private tutors to have them and some tuition centres will employ people who do not have qualifications but good tutors will always have qualifications and will be prepared to show you them.
- Initial assessments, ongoing progress reports and feedback so you can see how your child is doing.
Safeguarding your child
This is not an exhaustive list but here are a few things to consider too: -
- Check where tutoring is going to take place. If it is in your home stay in the vicinity, never let the person teach upstairs or out of earshot. If it is in their house always stay even if it is in a room next door.
- Check who will be teaching your child, will it be the same person each week or will it change?
- Check how many children will be in with your child?
- Check how long they have been tutoring? What is their experience of teaching or working with children.
And one of the most important checks of all, what is your gut feeling telling you and your child? Does the person have a good rapport with your child? Do you both feel comfortable?
Remember, this is your child/ren and you have a right to question anything you are not happy with, if they are reputable they will be able to answer any question and provide you with the reassurance you need. If it does not feel right don’t use them!
If, after considering the implications, you decide to go ahead with home education, we wish you well. Home educating can be a very rewarding and enriching experience for both the child and parent, however it is no easy task. Whilst home educating, it is important to keep an open mind that things may change for you and your child/ren so be open to the possibility that home education could be a short- or long-term decision and you can seek advice at any time regarding choices.
As a home educator there are several organisations offering advice and practical support should you require it.
Sandwell will share information and good practice with home educating parents as appropriate. This includes signposting services and agencies that may be considered in assisting/ enhancing elective home education.
We can supply you with various organisation contact details as and when you need them but this is in no way a recommendation of their services.
If you do have difficulties and wish for your child to return to school the Local Authority would be happy to talk to you, and arrange for a place at your chosen school if one is available or let you know where there are places available.
If you are currently educating a primary aged child at home, but feel that you might like for him/her to attend a high school please get in touch with the Admissions Service based at Sandwell Council House, Oldbury as soon as possible.