FAQ
Questions parents ask
If something isn't answered here, just ask — I'd rather have the conversation than have you guess.
- How is this different from a university student tutoring on the side?
- I teach mathematics professionally every day and currently work as Deputy Head of Maths. That means I've seen the same misconceptions in hundreds of students, I know how each topic is assessed, and I know which foundations tend to be missing. Strong subject knowledge matters — knowing how to teach it matters just as much.
- My child says they're 'just not a maths person'. Can tutoring help?
- Almost always, what looks like ability is actually a gap. A student who never fully secured negative numbers or fractions will struggle with algebra years later, and conclude they can't do maths. Finding and fixing that underlying gap usually changes far more than extra practice does.
- Is online tutoring as effective as in person?
- For mathematics, yes — with the right setup. A shared digital whiteboard means we can both write, and the full worked page is saved and shared afterwards. Many families prefer it for the time it saves and the consistency it allows.
- How often should lessons happen?
- Weekly is the most common pattern and generally the most effective, with additional sessions in the run-up to exams. We'll agree something realistic for your child rather than the maximum.
- Will I know whether it's working?
- Yes. You'll get a short summary of what we covered, what your child found difficult, and what we're doing about it. You shouldn't have to guess whether tutoring is making a difference.
- How do payments work?
- There are no online card payments and nothing is taken automatically. Lessons that actually take place during the month are recorded, and at the end of the month you receive a clear statement to pay directly by bank transfer.
- What if we're not sure yet?
- Start with a short, no-pressure consultation. Tell me what your child is finding difficult and I'll tell you honestly whether I think I can help — and how.
Honest answers
Reasonable doubts
Things parents often think but don't always say out loud.
- We've tried a tutor before and it didn't change anything.
- That usually happens when tutoring becomes homework help — working through whatever is due that week without ever diagnosing the underlying gap. My first job is to find the actual cause, not to firefight assignments.
- My child doesn't want a tutor.
- That's very common, and understandable. Most students relax quickly once they realise the sessions are calm, that questions are welcome, and that nobody is being judged for not knowing something.
- Is this going to make them dependent on tutoring?
- The opposite is the goal. Every stage of how I teach is designed to hand the work back to the student until they no longer need me.
Tell me what your child is finding difficult.
No pressure and no sales call — just an honest conversation about whether I can help, and how.