Quarman Tuition in Physics & Maths

Important Update

I will now be unavailable for tuition until 24rd March 2012, due to maternity leave. If you would like to be contacted in March, you are welcome to send an email and I will get back to you when I return to work.

FAQs

Will you tutor two or more students in the same session?

Yes, it is possible for me to tutor more than one student at a time. With multiple tuition it is normally best to keep the number of students small because a lot of the benefits come from getting personal attention. If the tutoring is to happen in my own home, I can only accommodate up to two students at a time due to space restrictions. The combined fee per session for multiple tutees will be higher than for a one-to-one session (because more work is involved), but will work out at less per tutee (because each tutee does not get as much individual attention). If you are interested in tuition for more than one student at a time, please contact me to discuss your particular needs.

When are you available?

Potentially all day, although students generally prefer after school, evenings and weekends. The exact time slots available change a lot throughout the year as new students begin tuition and others take their exams, so it's best to just phone.

Are there any advantages to not using an agency?

Tutoring agencies charge fees to the student, or the tutor or sometimes both, which increases the cost of tuition. Sometimes these charges are a one-off when the tutor and student are put in contact, but more usually they are a fee for every hour of tuition given. For example, one agency has charged me nearly £5 for each hour I tutor one of their students. Therefore if you approach me directly, I can charge you £5 less than someone who has contacted me via that agency. I am happy to pass on this saving as it also saves me time in dealing with the agency.

Why do some people use an agency then?

An agency gives you a selection of tutors to choose from. Some agencies make an effort to vet new tutors which can be reassuring. For example one agency required referrences, checked I had a suitable qualification and obtained a CRB check for me. While other agencies are really just advertising websites where a tutor can registar instantly. The ones that do the more careful checking seem to have the higher fees.

What is your fee?

Academic year 2010-11: If you approach me direct via the contact details below, or via Tutors4me, a one hour session for a single student, studying A level or equivalent is £26.50. If you first contact me via another agency, there may be an additional fee of up to £5 depending on the agency, because I must also cover my fee to them.

Is there an extra cost if you travel to me?

I am happy to visit homes in the local area at no extra cost, including Englefield Green, Egham, Egham Hythe, Thorpe Lea and Staines. It hasn't happened yet, but if you live further afield and need me to spend considerable time or money travelling to your location, I may also ask for an additional amount to cover this.

Is your fee competitive?

For comparison, this agency website gives some guidelines on what you should expect to pay for private tuition in different subjects and regions of the UK. Table A2 is the relevant part. Note that they say their hourly commission should be added on top of the tutors fee to give the total fee to the student.

I found you via the agency, can I now contact you directly and pay less?

No, I'm afraid if you filled in your details with a certain agency and I received them, they will consider that they put us in contact, and I am thereafter obligued to pay the agency a fee for every hour of tuition with you. NB: there is no agency fee for Tutors4me referrals.

Are you CRB checked?

One of the tutoring agencies I have worked for obtained a recent (early 2009) CRB check on me, and you are welcome to view the certificate on our first session. Also if you have any concerns about child protection, please ask.

I'm not doing A level but would you tutor me?

I have also tutored IB and undergraduate foundation year students. If you have a more unusual request, please get in contact so we can discuss your needs and whether I am the right person to help you.

Will you tutor for GCSEs?

Yes, I am currently tutoring maths GSCE at £21 an hour before agency fees for the academic year 2010-11. I am also happy to tutor GCSE physics or the physics part of GCSE science. However, for the chemistry and biology parts of GCSE science you would be better served by someone more qualified in those subjects. GCSE maths and physics tuition may be combined in the same session.

Any further questions

If your question hasn't been covered to your satisfaction, please call or email and I'll do my best to answer it.

Site last updated 28/08/10.

Clare Quarman trading as "Quarman Tuition".