When is there most demand for tutoring?
Start of the new school year: September
As the quiet summer period comes to an end, a fresh wave of parents and students begin searching for academic support. While some proactive individuals begin their search in August, many wait until their children have settled into the new school term. This period sees a steady increase in inquiries for ongoing support throughout the school year, making it an excellent opportunity to secure long-term bookings. Additionally, some students will be seeking short-term assistance to prepare for exams in November, such as GCSE retakes and international exams.
Those in search of regular weekly sessions at this stage in the year typically want a tutor to complement their classroom learning. As a tutor, your role here is to ensure that your students understand the material covered in class, identify any gaps in their knowledge, and challenge higher-level students by going beyond the specification. This support is especially important for students who are preparing for significant exams like GCSE and A Levels.
For students facing November exams, your job is to pinpoint and address any gaps in their knowledge, while also refining their exam technique to maximise marks. Creating a well-structured revision schedule that covers all the necessary topics will instil confidence in both parents and students.
Mock exam preparation: November-January
As the autumn term draws to a close, mock exams take centre stage. While some schools conduct mocks before Christmas, typically in November, others schedule them after the Christmas break, in January. During this period, you can expect a steady stream of students seeking your help in preparing for these crucial assessments.
Parents may request an intensive tutoring schedule, with multiple sessions per week, to help their child focus on exam preparation. Alternatively, some may seek regular sessions from now until the final exams. Regardless of the approach, your short-term objective should be to prepare these students for their mock exams. Make sure you find out which topics they will be assessed on and then work to identify and address any knowledge gaps, practice exam technique, and teach effective revision methods that your students can use up until their final exams.
Run up to exams: January-April
After the holiday season, with Christmas behind us, final exams loom closer on the horizon. Tutoring enquiries will steadily increase during this period.
Some students may not have performed as well as expected in their mock exams, prompting parents to seek a tutor who can help their child refocus on their studies. Others may be looking for a tutor who can consolidate all the knowledge they have acquired during the year, with a particular focus on applying that knowledge to exam questions, synoptic links, essay writing, and more. These students are likely to have weekly tutoring sessions leading up to their exams.
