Finding a qualified and experienced personal tutor can feel like a big decision, especially when you are balancing different subjects, levels and needs. It can help to start by thinking about what you want the tutor to support with, and then looking for someone whose qualifications, experience and approach match those priorities.

For most school-age tuition, many families look for tutors who have a strong academic background in the subjects they teach. This might be a relevant degree in that subject, or a degree in a closely related discipline together with substantial teaching or tutoring experience in the subject, and in some cases a recognised teaching qualification. For primary or school-based tuition, this might mean a qualified teacher with classroom experience; for older students, it may be a subject specialist with a good understanding of GCSE, A-Level or other exam requirements.

At Personal Tutors, we require all tutors to be university graduates as a minimum, because degree-level study provides the depth of subject knowledge and academic skills needed to explain topics clearly and support pupils as they move on to higher levels. Tutors without this background may not always have the same breadth of understanding or familiarity with exam demands beyond the level your child is currently working at, which can limit the support they are able to offer over time.

Experience is just as important as formal qualifications. When choosing a tutor, it can be helpful to ask how long they have been tutoring, what types of students they have worked with and whether they have experience at the specific level or with the particular exam board your child is following. If your child has additional needs or is preparing for something specific, such as entrance exams or re-sits, you may want a tutor who is familiar with similar situations.

Safeguarding and background checks are another key part of finding a suitable tutor. For children and young people, many parents prefer to use tutors who have an Enhanced DBS (Child Workforce) check and recent references from previous employers or families. Using an established agency that pre-vets tutors, checks references and confirms identification can give extra peace of mind that basic checks have already been carried out.

Many families prefer to find a tutor through an established agency rather than searching alone or relying on individual adverts and websites. An agency will usually pre-vet tutors, check references and DBS status, and keep records up to date, which can offer greater reassurance around safety and professionalism. If circumstances change, the agency can also suggest alternative tutors and provide ongoing support with any queries, so you are not left to resolve issues on your own.

It is also important to think about practical fit. This includes whether you would like home visits or online tuition, the tutor’s availability during term time and holidays, and whether their fees are within your budget. An initial conversation can also give you a sense of the tutor’s communication style and whether you feel they would be a good match for your child’s personality and learning preferences. When you first get in touch, it can be helpful to mention any exam boards involved and whether you prefer home or online tuition, so that suggestions can be matched as closely as possible.

Personal Tutors aims to make this process easier by introducing families to tutors who are already vetted and have the relevant subject knowledge and experience. As an established tuition agency, we provide you with the contact details and profiles of suitable tutors so that you can speak to them directly, ask any questions you may have and decide who feels like the best fit for your needs.

If you’d like help finding a qualified and experienced personal tutor for your child or for yourself, you can enter your postcode in the search box to request a free list of local and online tutors.