Yahoo News ‘Finding an online tutor has saved my sanity during lockdown’
As I frantically tried to bash out a 1,000 word feature at the kitchen table while attempting to explain the intricacies of photosynthesis to the eight-year-old, print off a worksheet on subjunctive clauses for the 11-year-old and put Numberjacks on for the six year old, I knew that something had to give. I realised the breathlessness and general exhaustion I felt wasn’t down to the dreaded Covid-19. It was stress. I knew I couldn’t go on like this. And so the hunt for an online tutor began.
I signed Charlie, 11, Eddie, eight, and Jemima, six, up to Tutorful a few weeks ago and it has saved my sanity. Trying to homeschool the three of them and continue working has been challenging, so I don't know why I didn't think to outsource it before. I outsource cleaning my house, doing my accounts and taming my eyebrows so why not my children’s education?
We found our tutor, the very patient Bethany, who is studying for a PGCE at the University of Brighton and has volunteered at a primary school since 2017, online through Tutorful and for £20 per hour she has helped the lazy pre-teen with the dreaded SPAG (spelling, punctuation and grammar for those who are lucky enough to remain uninitiated) and taught the Horrible Histories loving Jemima about Florence Nightingale and Rosa Parks. She is currently looking for Star Wars related learning activities to try and engage Eddie, who has special educational needs (SEN).
I browsed through a number of tutor profiles, from Oxbridge educated teachers with over 10 years’ experience to student teachers, with rates ranging from £20 to £50 per hour. I liked the fact that Bethany said that she believed every child should have an “equal opportunity to be supported” and also that she had experience of working with children with SEN.
I mentioned to her that our six-year-old had been reading about Florence Nightingale as part of her school topic and that she loved Horrible Histories, so Bethany tailored the lesson around that and said several 30 minute lessons would probably work better than one-hour ones. She asked me to print out a worksheet beforehand, showing Jemima a picture of Florence Nightingale on the online white board then a short number of facts about her.
Jemima then had to read and write down three facts and draw a picture of Nightingale. It went very well and I think Bethany managed to teach her more in 30 minutes than I’ve achieved in six weeks.
The first lesson with the 11-year-old, who will be starting grammar school in September and has developed a very unhealthy relationship with the PlayStation, lasted one hour but I would think at least 20 minutes of that was spent gauging what sort of level to pitch it at and seeing how he responded to working online. I cringed a little when he said he hadn’t read any books for weeks (David Walliams doesn’t count apparently.) Bethany created a PowerPoint of spellings, verbs and nouns and asked Charlie to play hangman using a whiteboard on the screen. He quite enjoyed the hangman and it kept his attention.
I am hoping that two out of three will be going back to school in June which will leave our eight year old at home and cause some serious sibling jealousy. If things go well, I will be relying largely on Bethany to keep the homeschooling going. You can’t put a price on sanity.
Unfortunately, I fear the six or so weeks I have tried to homeschool have left lasting damage and any illusions the children had about me and my academic prowess have been shattered. I may be able to recite whole passages of Shakespeare and TS Elliot by heart; I know the name of most of the Greek gods. But when I asked my 11-year-old if I could help him with algebra, he sighed sadly and said; “Let’s face it, Mum, you wouldn’t understand.” He’s not wrong.
Tutorful
Tutorful provides a varied online and in person (pre-coronavirus) one-to-one tutoring service for primary and secondary school students on everything from Key Stage 1 maths to Spanish or guitar. The lessons can be done at home, at the tutor’s home or online. The online lessons are usually done through white boards, screen sharing and shared documents.
Students can speak to their tutor in real time by using the video and audio functions. Prices start at £15 per hour.
MyTutor
MyTutor provides subject experts from top British universities on more than 30 different subjects to help with home learning. It’s geared towards secondary school students, who can learn new topics or revise old ones. It includes a 15-minute chat with the potential tutor to ascertain whether your child will get on well with them first and lessons can be recorded to watch afterwards. Prices start at £18 per hour.
Kip McGrath
Kip McGrath provides maths and English tutoring by qualified teachers to students from the ages of six to 16 and offers personalised learning programmes. Most students do an 80-minute tuition class once a week, which costs an average of £31.50. The tutor provides regular update reports for parents.
Fleet Tutors
Fleet Tutors offers experienced tutors who specialise in teaching pupils with dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia and other learning difficulties. Pupils start by completing an Individual Tuition Plan (ITP) to determine which specific areas need to be covered. Prices between £25 to £41 per lesson.
Enjoy Education
Enjoy Education was founded in 2006 and is a founding member of The Tutors’ Association. The London based company offers a number of services, including tailored one to one tutoring, home-schooling programmes, academic assessments and school selection. Prices available on request.
