Online vs face-to-face tutoring: which is right for your child?

A few years ago, most tutoring happened at the kitchen table. Today, online tutoring is just as common — and often just as effective. So which suits your child? Here's an honest comparison.

The case for online

Online tutoring has quietly become excellent. A good video classroom with a shared whiteboard works well for most subjects, and it brings real advantages:

• Choice — you're not limited to tutors who live nearby, so you can find the right specialist for your child's subject, level and exam board.
• Convenience — no travel, easier to fit around family life, and simple to keep notes.
• Comfort — many children focus better in their own home.

It suits self-motivated students, and anyone who needs a specialist who isn't local.

The case for face-to-face

In-person tutoring still has its place. It can be the better fit when:

• Your child is younger or finds it hard to stay focused on a screen.
• The work is hands-on.
• Your child simply engages better with someone in the room.

The trade-offs are a smaller pool of local tutors and the logistics of travel.

How to choose

There's no universally "better" option — it depends on your child. A practical approach: weigh up their age, how well they focus on a screen, and how important it is to get a genuine subject specialist. For most secondary-age students preparing for GCSEs or A-Levels, online works brilliantly and widens your choice enormously.

On Teachers Delivered you can filter tutors by online or face-to-face, so you can pick whichever fits — with the same qualified, DBS-checked teachers either way.