Choosing a tutor for your child’s GCSE Maths Foundation course can feel daunting. You want someone qualified, trustworthy, and able to tailor their teaching to your child’s unique needs: especially when it comes to the right exam board and tier. The good news? With a clear plan and the right questions, you can confidently find a tutor who will help your child build skills, confidence, and exam success.
This guide will walk you through what to look for, what to avoid, and how to ensure you’re making a safe, informed choice. If you’re just starting your search, you might also want to learn more about GCSE Maths Foundation tutoring and how it can support your child.
1. Prioritise Safety and Qualifications
The first step in finding the right tutor is ensuring they are both qualified and safe. As a parent, it’s natural to worry about letting someone new into your child’s learning journey: especially online. That’s why it’s essential to choose platforms or tutors who have been rigorously vetted.
Look for platforms that require all tutors to have an enhanced DBS check, including the Children’s Barred List. This level of scrutiny isn’t just a box-ticking exercise: it’s a core safeguard for your child’s wellbeing. For example, on StudyGuru, tutors go through a 7-step verification process, including identity checks and a live demo assessment with platform assessors.
When considering an independent tutor, always ask to see their DBS certificate and check their references. If you’re using a platform, make sure their vetting process is clearly explained and robust.
2. Match the Tutor to Your Child’s Exam Board and Tier
GCSE Maths Foundation isn’t a one-size-fits-all subject. Exam boards like AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and WJEC each have their own nuances: different question styles, topics, and assessment criteria. It’s crucial your child’s tutor understands the exact exam board and tier (Foundation or Higher) they’re working towards.
Modern tutoring platforms now allow tutors to record each student’s exam board, tier, current grade, and target grade. This information helps tutors tailor their lessons to your child’s specific syllabus, so nothing is missed and time isn’t wasted on irrelevant content. For example, on StudyGuru, tutors use this "learning context" to plan sessions that directly address your child’s needs and exam requirements.
When interviewing tutors, ask:
- Which exam boards are you familiar with?
- How do you adapt your teaching for Foundation tier students?
- How will you help my child work towards their target grade?
If you’re unsure about your child’s exam board or tier, check with their school or review their exam entry documents. Sharing this information with your tutor from the start makes a real difference.
3. Consider Your Child’s Learning Preferences and Confidence
Every child learns differently. Some thrive on visual explanations, others need to talk things through, and many Foundation students benefit from step-by-step support and lots of encouragement. The right tutor will adapt their approach to suit your child: not the other way around.
A good tutor will ask about your child’s strengths, areas of struggle, and how they feel about maths. They’ll use interactive tools, like a real-time whiteboard, to make lessons engaging and collaborative. For example, platforms like StudyGuru provide an interactive whiteboard where tutor and student can draw, annotate, and solve problems together: helpful for students who need to "see" maths in action, not just hear about it.
It’s also important that the tutor tracks your child’s confidence as well as their knowledge. Look for tutors who provide regular feedback on both progress and confidence, so you can see how your child is feeling, not just how they’re scoring.
4. Reduce Risk: Try Before You Commit
One of the biggest worries for parents is committing to a tutor who isn’t the right fit. Will they connect with your child? Will their teaching approach work? The best way to find out is to try a session before making any long-term decisions.
Look for platforms that offer a free trial lesson: ideally, a short session where your child can meet the tutor, ask questions, and see how the lesson feels. On StudyGuru, you can book a free 15-minute trial with any tutor, giving you and your child a no-pressure way to test the waters. Use this time to see how the tutor explains concepts, interacts with your child, and whether your child feels comfortable.
After the trial, talk to your child about how they felt. Did they understand the tutor’s explanations? Did they feel listened to? Did the tutor seem patient and encouraging? These "soft skills" are just as important as subject knowledge.
5. Track Progress and Stay Involved
Once you’ve found a tutor, it’s important to stay informed about your child’s progress. The best tutors and platforms will keep you updated with clear, structured feedback after each session. This should include what was covered, what went well, areas that need more work, and practical recommendations for practice.
For example, StudyGuru uses AI-generated lesson summaries after every session, detailing topics covered, time spent, your child’s confidence levels, and what to focus on next. These summaries, along with tutor-written lesson reports, are sent to your email and accessible via a parent dashboard. This level of transparency means you’re never in the dark about what’s happening: and you can support your child’s learning between sessions.
If you’re working with an independent tutor, ask for regular written updates. Don’t be afraid to request specific information, such as which topics your child is struggling with or how they’re progressing towards their target grade.
6. Stay Flexible with Booking and Communication
Family life is busy, and your child’s needs may change as exams approach. Platforms that offer pay-as-you-go booking, rather than locking you into a subscription or contract, give you the freedom to book sessions as needed. You can also look for platforms with in-platform messaging, so you can easily communicate with tutors without sharing personal contact details.
If you ever need to change tutor, don’t hesitate. Your child’s comfort and progress come first, and a good platform or tutor will understand this.
To see what this process looks like in practice, learn how StudyGuru’s tutoring process works.
7. Where to Start Your Search
- Ask your child’s school for recommendations.
- Search online for platforms specialising in GCSE Maths Foundation.
- Read reviews and testimonials from other parents.
- Check tutor profiles for experience with your exam board and Foundation tier.
You can also explore our GCSE Maths tutoring options to see the range of tutors and approaches available.
Finding the right GCSE Maths Foundation tutor is about more than just subject knowledge. It’s about safety, a tailored approach, and a tutor who can build your child’s confidence as well as their skills. By focusing on DBS-verified tutors, matching for exam board and tier, trying a free session, and tracking progress, you can make an informed, confident choice.
Ready to take the next step? View our tutors to find someone who fits your child’s needs: or book a free trial to see how it feels in action.
FAQs
Q: How do I know if a tutor is qualified to teach GCSE Maths Foundation?
A: Look for tutors with a strong background in maths and experience teaching at the GCSE Foundation level. On reputable platforms, tutors are thoroughly vetted, including enhanced DBS checks and teaching assessments, so you can be confident in their qualifications.
Q: Can I find a tutor who understands my child’s specific exam board?
A: Yes, many tutors specialise in particular exam boards like AQA, Edexcel, OCR, or WJEC. Good platforms allow tutors to record your child’s exam board and tailor lessons accordingly, ensuring the right topics and question styles are covered.
Q: What if my child doesn’t get along with the tutor?
A: It’s important your child feels comfortable. Many platforms offer a free trial session to test the fit. If it’s not working, you can easily try another tutor: there’s no obligation to continue with someone who isn’t the right match.
Q: How can I track my child’s progress in GCSE Maths?
A: Look for tutors or platforms that provide regular written updates after each session, including what was covered, areas for improvement, and next steps. Some platforms also offer AI-generated summaries and parent dashboards for easy progress tracking.
Q: Is it safe to book online tutoring sessions for my child?
A: Yes, as long as you use platforms that require enhanced DBS checks and have a robust tutor vetting process. Features like in-platform messaging and direct parent dashboards also add extra layers of safety.