How we select tutors
Applicants are screened on academic results, teaching ability and safeguarding before they meet a single student. We accept only the top 5% of those who apply.
of tutor applicants accepted
identity and safeguarding checked
experience required of professional tutors
average tutor rating
How to become a tutor with us
Every tutor passes these four steps before they teach a single student.
Application
Applicants submit their results, transcripts and teaching experience. Academic tutors need A*/A in the subject they teach; professional tutors need a teaching qualification and 5+ years of experience.
–Results and transcripts uploaded and checked
–Only 5% of applicants are accepted
Interview
An interview with one of our advisors, assessed on clarity of explanation, questioning, and how they respond when a student is stuck.
– Taught sample of a topic they claim to teach
– Assessed on questioning, not just explanation
Set up profile
Every tutor confirms the subjects, levels and exam boards they can teach, their availability, and the grades they achieved, so matches are made on verified detail rather than assumption.
– Subject, level and exam board confirmed in writing
–Availability and time zone recorded
Ongoing review
Tutors are reviewed each term on student feedback, retention and grade outcomes.
– Student feedback collected each term
– Tutors below standard stop receiving matches
What we assess
A tutor is only useful if they know the exam as well as the subject, and can teach it to a student who is stuck. We assess all three.
Subject knowledge
Results first. We check the grades a tutor claims against their transcripts, and only accept tutors in the subjects they can evidence.
- A*/A in the subject taught, or a teaching qualification
- Transcripts and certificates verified
Exam technique
Marks at this level are won on technique and timing. Tutors have either sat these papers recently or marked them professionally.
- Board-specific papers and mark schemes
- Examiner-style feedback on written work
- Technique taught alongside content
Teaching ability
The interview is a teaching test. We watch how an applicant explains concepts and evaluate their interpersonal skills, not just their acumen.
- Demo teaching examples reviewed
- Assessed on communication skills
Entry criteria by tutor type
We run two tracks. Academic tutors are recent top-performing graduates of the exams they teach; professional tutors are qualified teachers and examiners.
Academic Tutors
Top performing graduates who achieved A*/A grades in the subject they teach.
- A*/A in the subject and level they teach
- Sat the exam recently, on a board we cover
- Studying at or graduated from a leading university
- Transcripts matched to claimed grades
- Live teaching sample in their subject
- Identity and safeguarding checks cleared
Professional Tutors
Current or past qualified teachers and examiners with 5+ years professional teaching experience.
- Recognised teaching qualification
- 5+ years teaching the level they tutor
- Current or recent classroom or examining role
- Qualifications and references checked
- Depth of exam board knowledge tested
- Identity and safeguarding checks cleared
Our safeguarding checks
We work with tutors all around the world. In order to work with us, every tutor must pass these checks.
Identity
Photo ID checked against the name on qualifications and transcripts before any match is made.
Interview to assess skills
A live interview and teaching sample assess subject knowledge, exam technique and how they handle a student who is stuck.
Background check
All tutors must submit a local background check and provide a copy to us before they can begin tutoring any students.
How do we ensure students are happy with their tutors
We do our best to make sure we get things right on the first selection, but if we don't, we will work with you until we find you the right tutor.
Termly review
Student feedback, retention and grade outcomes are reviewed for every active tutor each term.
Session notes
Every lesson is logged with what was covered and what comes next, visible to the family.
Free rematch
If after the first session, the fit is not right, we will give you a full refund and find you another tutor.
Removal
Tutors who fall below the standard, or breach safeguarding policy, stop receiving matches.
Questions about our tutors
Anything not covered here, ask a Learning Advisor. They answer within a working day.
Yes. Every tutor completes safeguarding training and signs our code of conduct before their first lesson. Breaching the code results in immediate suspension while we investigate. Read our safeguarding policy.
Every active tutor is reviewed each term on student feedback, retention and grade outcomes, and every lesson is logged with session notes. Tutors who fall below our teaching standards, or breach safeguarding policy, stop receiving new students.
Academic tutors need an A* or A in each subject they teach, checked against their transcripts. Professional tutors need a recognised teaching qualification and at least 5 years of teaching or examining experience. Both must know the A-Level, AS, GCSE or IGCSE curriculum they teach in depth. See our tutor requirements.
Applicants submit their results, transcripts and teaching experience, which we check. Shortlisted applicants then have a live interview with a teaching sample. They must also pass identity and background checks. Only the top 5% are accepted, and every tutor is reviewed each term after joining. Read the full selection process.
Every tutor must pass a background check before teaching. Which check depends on where they live: tutors based in the UK provide an Enhanced DBS check, and tutors elsewhere provide the equivalent check for their country. All tutors are also identity checked against their qualifications. See how we select tutors.
Academic tutors are recent top-performing graduates who achieved an A* or A in the subject they teach. They sat these papers recently and are more affordable. Professional tutors are current or former qualified teachers and examiners with 5+ years of teaching experience and deep exam board knowledge. Compare rates on our pricing page.
Tell your Learning Advisor and they'll handle it, so you don't have to approach the tutor yourself. If you're not happy after the first session, we refund it in full. We'll match you with another tutor at no cost and share your plan with them, so nothing starts again from scratch.
Meet the tutors who passed
Tell us your subject, exam board and target grade. We will come back with a shortlist, and you only pay for lessons you have completed.