Category Archive: Tutor
-
Why Are Teachers Striking?
Leave a CommentWith the current strike action by teachers at the moment. It seems a good moment to try and unpick the question: Why are teachers striking?
Often the media paints a distorted picture of strike action. This is true of all sectors and – naturally – the focus is often on the disruption caused rather than the reasons behind the action.
It’s why you may have seen plenty of reporting about cancelled appointments and operations because of strikes in the NHS, for example. Meanwhile, in education, much of the media attention has focused on the disruption to children’s schooling – especially as the industrial action comes relatively soon after covid – and all the disruption to education caused by the pandemic.
Teacher strikes – Some context
For over a decade now government funding for education has been cut. The funding squeeze has had a detrimental effect on the quality of children’s education. Schools have been forced to cut services to the bone and are continually asked to do more with less.
On a day-to-day basis, this means less teachers and support staff which, in turn, leads to larger class sizes. Provision for students with special needs and those with mental health issues has been particularly affected.
In addition, the current climate of increased energy prices has crippled schools financially. Moreover, the government’s continued resistance to dealing with longstanding concerns about teachers’ pay and workload has exacerbated an already worrying recruitment and retention crisis within the profession.
Schools are struggling to attract new teachers. Not only that, one in three teachers leave the profession within five years of qualifying.
There are teacher shortages in many subjects, including Maths. School leaders are increasingly left with no option but to put non-specialist staff in front of classes.
Why are Teachers Striking? – It’s not just about pay
When you appreciate the context surrounding it, you can see that the current industrial action in schools is certainly not just about pay.
However, pay is an issue. The profession has faced pay freezes and minimal rises for over a decade. Pay offers have increased slightly in the last year – an average of 5.4% in September and a further offer of 4.5% for next year. However, these rises are heavily weighted for teachers at the lower end of the pay scale. It means that experienced teachers and school leaders receive the least. This does nothing to address the existing retention issues, the pay awards are still not enough to attract new recruits to the profession in the numbers that are so desperately needed.
The other thing which should not be forgotten is that any pay rise that the government has offered to date has not been fully funded. The money to pay for salary increases must come out of a school’s existing budget – essentially meaning that the greater the pay rise, the more students suffer.
Teachers’ wages have been falling behind for years now. And with the current 10%+ rate of inflation, the pay offers that the government has offered to date are in effect real terms pay cuts. Indeed – teachers have lost 23% in real terms since 2010. And for support staff, the figure is even higher at 27%
All teachers are asking for is a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise.
Teaching unions argue that any disruption to children’s education through strike action is dwarfed by the long-term damage caused by year-on-year education funding cuts, and the government’s continued inaction on teacher workload and pay.
All in all, the answer to the question ‘Why are teachers striking?‘ lies within a perfect storm of low pay, funding cuts, and excessive workload.
And, as the unions say, staff working conditions are student learning conditions.
-
Is tutoring the perfect part-time job for undergraduates?
Leave a CommentHere’s the short answer… ‘Yes!”
And now for the longer – ever so slightly more detailed – answer…
Look, if you’re currently a student at university, we hear you… we feel you… times are tough! Why would you be so stupid to be an undergraduate in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, ‘eh?
But it is what it is… and you’re in it – hey ho – but there’s no need to worry.
What if there was a great way to make some much needed money AND give your future job prospects a massive boost too?
Well, we may have the answer for you.
Yes, tutoring might just be the perfect part-time job for undergraduates!
Here’s why…
The perfect part-time job for undergraduates – It’s rewarding
The big difference between tutoring as a part-time job and virtually all the other types of part-time jobs that students typically do, is that you’ll find tutoring far more rewarding. Take bar work and the hospitality sector – the hours can be long; the pay is generally pretty poor; and you’re likely to be rushed off your feet during every shift. It can be a thankless task sometimes! Not only that, but there also isn’t a great deal of job satisfaction gained usually from pulling a few pints or waiting on a few tables.
Tutoring, on the other hand, is extremely rewarding. It’s great to see a student go from one level to the next, and watch their confidence grow as a result. Tutors have the rare opportunity to genuinely make a lasting and positive impact in students’ lives. That’s something that will give you a buzz and is something to be proud of – especially when you reflect and realise that the improvements a student has made is down to you!
Tutor when you like – It’s flexible
Finding a part-time job to fit around your studies can be a challenge. You’re often tied to shift patterns and specific hours. With tutoring, typically, sessions will be for an hour at a time – making it much easier to fit in around your existing commitments. Not only that, but tuition can also be delivered both face-to-face and online, so you have even more flexibility. Of course, you will never be expected to take on sessions that you don’t want to. You essentially set your own hours!
What do you get from it? It’s great experience
Although you should never take on anything purely ‘because it looks good’, the fact of the matter is that tutoring does look good. It’s a great thing to be able to put on your CV! Regardless of the subject taught or the age of the student you work with, being a tutor proves to a prospective employer that you have a particular skill set, not least that you can instruct and explain topics and concepts concisely.
Naturally, a tutor is expected to adapt their teaching style and methods to meet the needs of the individual student. In doing so, you are showing that you are flexible and can approach different situations in a variety of ways. Of course, if you are planning on applying for a postgraduate course in education, tutoring will give an invaluable taste of what teaching is like – and it shows that you have a commitment to improving the prospects of young people.
And don’t forget… It pays well!
In general, tutoring pays a lot better than other part-time jobs. As it is a professional speciality, you are rewarded for your academic achievements and experience. You don’t need to be a qualified teacher to become a tutor. Maths and English tutors are always in demand. But equally, students are often looking for tutors in specialist subjects – from Mandarin to Psychology or Sociology. Typically, these types of placements can be tricky to find suitable tutors for.
So, whether you see it as a stepping-stone into a lifelong career in education – or just a job that will be a bit more fulfilling than working behind the bar at the Dog & Duck, tutoring might just be the perfect part-time job for undergraduates!
Get in touch for a chat with our friendly team to find out more.
-
Maths Tutors in Warrington
Leave a CommentOne of – if not the – most frequently asked questions we get here at TutorRight is ‘Have you got Maths tutors in Warrington?’. The good news is that our answer is definitely, ‘Yes!’
It’s the time of year when most Year 11 students sit a set of mock exams for their forthcoming GCSEs. Mocks have always been important, because they are the best opportunity for students to experience a taste of their ‘real’ exams. No amount of practice papers completed in class or at home can really prepare a young person for what it feels like to be in the sports hall with the rest of a year group, sat in rows, completing exams next June.
The results that students get in their practice exams provide invaluable information for teachers too. It gives them a clear sign of how their students are doing at that moment in time. There is no better way to inform future teaching.
Mock exams can be something of a traumatic experience for many students though. Not only are they nerve-wracking, there’s also the small matter of what to do if results are disappointing.
Don’t panic! It’s what the mocks are there for!
Of course, in an ideal world, every student would do brilliantly at every exam they sit. Yet – sadly – we all know the world isn’t like that!
If results aren’t as good as you’d like them to be, the best piece of advice is quite simple: Do.Not.Panic.
Remember that mock exams, although important, are not that important in the grand scheme of things. Put it this way, once you have done your final GCSE exams, nobody is ever going to ask you, ‘How did you do in your mocks?’
Similarly, although setting out to do badly in your mocks isn’t advisable, it’s important to remember two things:
- If you do have a stinker in a mock exam, you probably won’t make the same mistakes again!
- Nobody ever got better at something by getting everything right anyway!
A clear snapshot of where you’re at right now
Ultimately, your mock results provide you with a clear snapshot of where you’re at right now.
It’s often the point at which we get called upon too. The results state how far off you are from where you need to be. It’s no surprise that many parents and young people start asking for maths tutors in Warrington. We certainly notice a spike in interest and enquiries around the time that students have had mock exams.
Maths tutors in Warrington available today
We have local tutors who specialise in Maths, from primary level right through to degree level. As professionals, mathematicians, and educators, our Maths tutors in Warrington will instinctively know how to plot your child’s Maths learning journey over the next few months so that they end up where they want to be… Destination Success!
Our tutors get called on for GCSE exam preparation more than anything else. But remember we have specialists who will tutor students at any stage or age.
Would you like to join the TutorRight team?
As we’ve already mentioned, as the mock results roll in at schools around the area, we see a big increase in enquiries for Maths tutors in Warrington.
We’re always on the lookout for new tutors to join the team! Simply complete our quick Tutor Registration Form to get the ball rolling. You will always be in complete control of how many students you take on. We will treat you professionally and pay competitively.
Get in touch
If you think your son or daughter would benefit from some extra support in their Maths, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch if you’d like to arrange a Maths tutor in Warrington today!
-
What to Expect From a Tuition Company
Leave a CommentThe fact that you are reading this right now suggests you are interested in hiring a private tutor…
Yes, our powers of deduction really are that good.
But have you Googled ‘Tutors in Warrington’ yet?
Believe me, if you haven’t yet, you need to sit down when you do because the proverbial floodgates are going to open up right on top of you.
All Tutors in Warrington are Equal
As George Orwell famously once wrote, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
The same, unfortunately, can also be said about tuition companies.
One thing is for sure – on the eighth day (when God created tuition companies), he most definitely did not create them equal!
What to Expect from a Typical Tuition Company
There are a vast choice of tuition options available on that there internet but some things are a constant. You can expect any tuition business to ensure that all their tutors are appropriately qualified and trained, for example. You have a right to expect that all tutors are vetted and DBS-checked. All tutors in Warrington should have easy channels of communication and should make the payment process simple and straightforward.
However, all of the above does not constitute some sort of ‘Tuition Company Gold Standard.’ Far from it, this should be the minimum – the least you can expect from any tuition company.
Hiring a Tutor is like Booking a Taxi
For some tutoring companies, hiring a tutor is just like calling a taxi. You ring up and say where you are and where you want to go. The taxi company then sees which drivers are close by and sends one of them to your door. In the same way, you ring up for a tutor, you give your details, and the company sends a tutor to your door. Just as you would expect a taxi driver to be insured and to have a driving licence, you would expect a tutor to come appropriately qualified and DBS-checked.
Unfortunately, for some tutoring companies, the above analogy is just about the level of service you might get. Yes, the tutor you get could be great – but ultimately, it’s all about convenience and finding the ‘nearest available tutor.’
TutorRight – a Personable Approach
At TutorRight we aim to provide a service that is above and beyond what you can typically expect from a tutoring company. Let’s face it, when you are dealing with something as important as your child’s education, we’re pretty sure this is exactly what you want too.
Above all, we aim to be personable and approachable. To this end, we have a dedicated admin team on hand to make the whole enquiry experience as personalised and bespoke as possible. Whether your request is simple and straightforward or specialised, ultra-specific and unusual, we work hard to match students with tutors that are best suited to your needs.
There are various types of tuition that we can offer too. Many prefer one-to-one tuition which takes place face-to-face in the student’s home, but it’s certainly not the only option. The tuition can happen in any other suitable venue. Not only that, it can also take place online if that’s more convenient for you.
In fact: individual, small group… whatever you want the tuition to look like, we’ll do our very best to meet your requests.
It all starts with a Conversation
As the saying goes, ‘It’s good to talk!” And, it is – and we are good listeners. For general enquiries you can send us an email at info@tutorright.co.uk. If you prefer, you can fill in our online contact form. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
-
Online or Face to Face Tuition?
Leave a CommentSo, you’ve made the decision that your son, daughter (or maybe even yourself) would benefit from tuition… that’s an important first step. But it’s not the only decision you have to make. You also need to decide whether online or face-to-face tuition is best for you.
Don’t worry though – choice is good! And we’re on hand to help you make the right decision for you, whatever that might be. So, let’s look at the pros and cons of online and face-to-face tuition.
Online vs Face-to-Face Tuition – the Similarities
Although the focus of this blog is to highlight the differences between the online and face-to-face options, it’s also worth remembering the ways in which the learning experiences are similar. First of all, every session will be bespoke and carefully adapted to the individual needs of the learner, whether it takes place online or in person. Similarly, there is no difference in how engaging the sessions will be – or how successful they can be in helping the learner to progress and meet their goals.
However, as everyone knows, we all learn differently and each of us have particular preferences. So, let’s take a look at the key differences between online and face-to-face learning.
Online Tuition – the Pros and Cons
One thing’s for sure, technology has totally transformed how tuition (and teaching in general) can be delivered. Lockdown forced it upon us in many ways, but the potential of online learning in the future is limitless. The truth is, we’re only just scratching the surface of the possibilities. But that’s for another day; back in the here and now, online learning simply means you can have your tuition wherever you are. Online tuition is definitely the most convenient option. If a student is nervous, they don’t have to show their face either. It’s completely up to them.
The flexibility online tuition offers is a big plus. WiFi connection permitting, a student can take their tuition literally wherever they like and wherever they happen to find themselves at the time: bedroom, home office, or by the pool or at the beach on holiday! There are various platforms out there: Skype, Zoom, Teams… if you have a favourite, that’s fine. Our tutors are more than happy to use whichever provider you are most confident with.
Of course, nothing’s perfect and online tuition certainly isn’t for everyone. Some people find it difficult to concentrate and engage with online learning. What’s more, although it’s still possible, it can be harder for a tutor to build a rapport with a student if they are only on a screen rather than sat next to them. The trust and the relationship that builds between a tutor and tutee can be instrumental in helping the learner to become more confident, so this issue is certainly something to bear in mind.
Face to Face – the Lowdown
Face-to-face tuition can be just like having the experience of a classroom (albeit on a much smaller scale!) in the comfort of your own home. It’s the most familiar style of delivery. Not only that, because of the fact it is one-to-one or small group tuition, it can be the most bespoke style of tutoring too. A friendly tutor can spend time building the confidence of the student and settling any nerves they might be feeling. It’s convenient too. The tutor can come to you, so everything can take place in the comfort of your own home. There is no travelling required.
However, if things are bit hectic at home with the kids running around and such like, having a tutor come to your home might not be ideal. Also, there might not be a suitable quiet space for sessions to take place at home either. If this is the case, online sessions could be a sensible way forward and the most obvious alternative.
Ultimately, you will probably know better than anyone which type of tutoring session would be best for your child. Don’t forget that regardless of the option you go for, you’ve still got absolute flexibility. There’s nothing to stop you from starting with face-to-face and switching to online at a later date or vice versa. You could even ‘mix and match’ sessions – it’s really up to you!
If you want to have a chat with the team to discuss your options, feel free to get in touch. We’re always on hand to answer any questions. We’ll help you to choose the right option for you!
-
Why you should consider becoming a tutor
Leave a CommentIt’s a weird thing to be honest, but you’d be surprised at how many qualified teachers know very little about what tutoring really entails. Of course, tutoring is very similar to conventional teaching in many ways – but there are some key differences too. Becoming a tutor isn’t for everybody – nothing is – but we think, in general, that the differences are advantages.
Maybe we’re a little biased but this isn’t about us, it’s about you. We don’t want to give you some sort of glorified sales pitch here. We just want to set out the case for why you should consider becoming a tutor.
Nothing more, nothing less. No pressure. We want you to make your own mind up.
Become a tutor – for practical reasons
In reality, life is often about the practicalities. And that’s the first reason why you should consider becoming a tutor. Take 3 scenarios:
1) You’re a newly qualified teacher just starting out in schools. You could do with extra income to help pay off your student loans.
2) You’re a teacher coming back to the classroom after a career break – maybe maternity – and you don’t want a full-time position in school so that you can have more flexibility because your circumstances have changed.
3) You’ve retired from teaching full-time – but you’d still like to do the best bits of the job, on your own terms.
For all the above, tutoring could be the ideal choice.
Become a tutor – to escape the politics and pressure of schools
Maybe ‘escape’ is a bit strong, but let’s not beat around the bush here. Teaching, undoubtedly, is a wonderful profession. It can be the best career in the world. It’s a vocation and a calling, not simply a job. However, anybody who has been in or around education in recent years knows only too well that there are a hell of a lot of teachers trying to get out of the profession. What’s more, the stats don’t lie – an alarming number of new teachers aren’t sticking around for very long. Recruitment and retention figures are very worrying.
There are many reasons for this and now is not the place to wax lyrical about the whys and wherefores of it all. Having said that, let’s just say that that tutoring can offer you a way out from the staffroom politics, the workload, the incessant pressure… oh… and OFSTED.
You can probably see where we’re coming from now!
Become a tutor – to make a difference
Ask any teacher why they came into the profession, and you are likely to hear the reply, ‘To make a difference.’ And teachers really do make a difference – every single day. But in the high pressure, cut and thrust climate of progress targets, observations and inspections, the never-ending scrutiny and monitoring can make even the most dedicated professionals feel as though they are not making as much of a difference to the future of young people as they would have hoped.
With tutoring, you can literally see the difference you are making on a day-to-day and one-to-one basis. Whether it’s helping push a GCSE student up from Grade 2 to a Grade 4, or enabling a school refuser to access the education they deserve, the rewards are tangible.
Become a tutor – to become a better teacher
Although people might be considering becoming a tutor as an alternative to teaching, it doesn’t have to be instead of teaching, it can be as well as… and tutoring gives you a fantastic opportunity to really hone your craft.
Private tutoring will only make you an even better classroom teacher overall.
Tutoring is your opportunity to genuinely provide bespoke and personalised learning for each individual student. This is a challenge – but it’s a pleasure and a privilege too.
Join our team
At TutorRight, we have a motto: ‘their success starts with you.’ Our tutors are what makes TutorRight tick. If tutoring sounds like it could be for you, we’d love to hear from you. You stay in complete control. You’ll never be under pressure to take on more students than you want to. You can be as flexible as you want to be – and you’ll always be paid competitively and treated like the professional you are always.
Registering your interest is easy. Simply fill in the form here, click send, and we’ll be in touch!