The Tutoring Website Landscape in the UK
The online tutoring market has exploded since 2020, with dozens of platforms competing for parents' attention. They range from marketplace models (where you browse and choose a tutor) to fully managed services (where the platform handles matching). Prices vary from under 20 pounds per hour to over 60, and the quality varies just as widely. Understanding the different models helps you make a better choice.
Marketplace vs Managed: Two Different Models
Marketplace platforms like Tutorful and MyTutor let you browse tutor profiles, read reviews, and book directly. You get choice and often lower prices, but the burden of finding the right match falls on you. Managed platforms handle the matching process based on your child's needs, exam board, and learning style. The trade-off is less choice but potentially a better fit, especially if you are not sure what to look for in a tutor.
What to Look for in Any Platform
Regardless of which platform you choose, certain features indicate quality.
- Diagnostic assessment: The best services assess your child before matching them with a tutor. Without this, matching is guesswork.
- Exam board alignment: A tutor who knows AQA mark schemes inside out is more valuable than a generic maths expert.
- Progress tracking: You should be able to see what your child is working on and whether they are improving.
- Flexibility: Look for platforms that let you change tutors without penalty if the match is not working.
The Diagnostic Difference
Most tutoring platforms match based on subject, level, and availability. That is a start, but it misses the most important factor: which specific topics does your child actually need help with? A diagnostic-first approach identifies knowledge gaps before the first lesson, so every session is targeted and productive. No time wasted on topics your child already understands.