How to choose a tutor: 7 things to check before you book

Choosing a tutor for your child is a bigger decision than it first looks. There are thousands of people advertising, and it's hard to know who is genuinely good. Here's a practical checklist to help you book with confidence.

1. Are they a qualified teacher?

Anyone can call themselves a tutor. A qualified teacher has trained to teach, understands how children actually learn, and knows the curriculum inside out. On Teachers Delivered every tutor is a qualified, experienced teacher — but wherever you look, ask directly: what is your teaching qualification, and where have you taught?

2. Have they had an Enhanced DBS check?

Your child may be alone with this person, online or in your home, so safeguarding is not optional. Ask to see a current Enhanced DBS certificate. We verify one for every tutor before they can take a booking; if a tutor cannot show you a recent DBS, walk away.

3. Do they teach your child's exact subject and level?

"Maths" is not one thing — GCSE Higher, A-Level and 11-Plus are very different jobs. A brilliant A-Level Chemistry teacher is not automatically the right person for a Year 6 child. Match the tutor to the specific subject and level you actually need.

4. Do they know your exam board?

For GCSEs and A-Levels the content is broadly the same across boards, but the papers and mark schemes differ. A tutor who teaches your child's board — AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC — day to day can target the exact style of question your child will sit.

5. What do the reviews say?

Look for reviews tied to real, completed sessions rather than anonymous testimonials. Patterns matter more than any single review: do students make progress, and do parents feel kept in the loop?

6. How does the first session go?

The first lesson tells you a lot. Does the tutor find out where your child actually is, explain clearly, and leave them a little more confident than before? Good tutors build rapport quickly without going soft on the work.

7. Is the pricing clear?

You should know exactly what you will pay before you book — no joining fees, no hidden extras. Every tutor on Teachers Delivered sets one clear price per hour-long lesson, shown up front, and you only pay for lessons you book.

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Get those seven right and you are most of the way there. When you're ready, you can browse qualified, DBS-checked tutors by subject, level and price.