When you choose to work with a tutor, you’re tapping into extra academic support and years of expertise in the form of an experienced one-to-one tutor.. And just like any good team, the best results come when parents and tutors work in partnership.
At Tutor Doctor, we believe that strong relationships between families and tutors create the best outcomes for students. Here’s how to build that relationship from the start, and understand what makes a great tutor.
Why the Parent-Tutor Relationship Matters
When tutors and parents communicate well and share insights, it allows the tutor to tailor sessions more precisely to your child’s needs. You know your child best — their personality, what motivates them, and what they’re struggling with at school. Sharing this knowledge can be incredibly valuable for a tutor as they shape a bespoke learning plan.
On the flip side, tutors can keep you updated on how things are going in sessions, what progress they’re seeing, and any red flags that might need attention. This means you’re never in the dark about your child’s academic journey, and your child benefits from consistent support at home and during tutoring.
Start with Clear Expectations
A great partnership begins with open, honest conversations. At the start of your tutoring journey, it’s a good idea to nail down goals and expectations. Start by establishing these areas:
Your goals – Is your child working towards an exam? Do they need help catching up or stretching further?
Your child’s learning style – Are they a visual learner? Do they struggle with confidence? The more your tutor knows, the better.
Your availability – Let the tutor know the best times for sessions and how you’d prefer to communicate, such as via email, phone, or regular check-ins.
At Tutor Doctor, we make sure all of this is discussed upfront when matching your family with a tutor, but it’s still helpful to revisit now and then as things evolve.
Communicate Regularly
You don’t need to have in-depth conversations after every session, but regular updates are important. Most tutors will be happy to share a quick overview of what was covered and how your child responded.
You can ask things like:
- “What did you focus on today?”
- “Is there anything they’re finding tricky right now?”
- “How can I support them at home this week?”
This kind of collaboration keeps things moving in the right direction. It also helps you feel confident that the sessions are making a difference.
Be Honest About What’s Going On
If your child has had a tough week at school, has been ill, or is feeling overwhelmed, let the tutor know. Equally, if things are going really well, share that too! Tutors appreciate any context that helps them understand the bigger picture.
If something isn’t working, such as the time of the session, the pace, or even the focus, it’s okay to speak up. After all, you are paying for a service. A good tutor will always be open to feedback and willing to make adjustments. At Tutor Doctor, our tutors are used to flexing their approach to suit the individual student. Our approach to personalised learning helps your child to get the best out of every session.
Support the Process at Home
You don’t need to supervise every session, but a bit of encouragement can go a long way. Help your child get organised, make sure their study space is distraction-free, and remind them of their goals.
Celebrate wins together, whether that’s mastering a tricky topic or improving a test score. When your child sees that you and their tutor are on the same team, they’re more likely to stay engaged and positive about learning.
Stay Open as Things Evolve
Your child’s needs will change over time. Maybe they’ll need more support during exam season, or they’ll want to tackle a new subject altogether. Keeping the lines of communication open means you can adapt your tutoring plan when needed.
At Tutor Doctor, we regularly check in with families to ensure everything is on track. Whether your child is flying ahead or hitting a bump in the road, we’ll help you adjust the plan and continue making progress.
Ready to build a great partnership with a tutor who understands your child?
Find your local Tutor Doctor location today and take the next step in supporting your child’s learning journey, together.
