Tutoring Excellence report

How to deliver truly impactful tuition

We spoke to tutoring experts to find out the approaches and strategies used by highly effective tutors. In this report we share their insights.

“[Students] have to realise that you’re here to help, make sure they know you’re on their side.”

-Talent-Ed tutor

Seven key findings

  1. Preparation is crucial

    Both before and between each session, tutors carry out on average 61 minutes of preparatory work overall per programme covering both content preparation and reflection, and steps to aid rapport-building with students.

  2. Flexibility is necessary to meet each pupils’ needs

    Rather than sticking rigidly to a set session plan, tutors need to be able to adjust the focus of a session as each of the students’ gaps and interests become apparent. Deep knowledge of the content and curriculum is therefore a pre-requisite to deliver at the right level, at the right time.

  3. To differentiate successfully, tutors need a broad toolbox of techniques

    Even in a small group of pupils, tutors will need to accommodate differing levels of progress and comprehension. A one-size fits all approach will not work, and so good tutors will have a range of pedagogical – and technical – approaches at their disposal.

  4. Regular and active monitoring of engagement and comprehension is a must

    Frequently asking for contributions can be effective, but should be used sensitively and with consideration of pupils’ preferences. When tutoring online, tools such as chat windows can achieve this without putting pupils publicly on the spot.

  5. Rapport-building cannot be underestimated

    The tutor-pupil relationship is different from the teacher-pupil one, relying less on hierarchical authority and more on pupil buy-in. As such, investing substantial time initially in building good interpersonal rapport with pupils is essential to the success of any programme of tuition.

  6. Tutor energy can make or break a session, particularly online

    Much more than in a classroom, tutors need to come to a tutorial with high energy and maintain this throughout. Given that this will often not be reciprocated by pupils, tutors will need to be extremely resilient. This is particularly relevant when delivering sessions online.

  7. Feedback to pupils must be a central element of tutoring

    Identifying appropriate approaches to providing feedback is important, but equally important is for the tutor to maintain detailed notes about each pupil’s progress to enable relevant and consistent feedback over the course of a programme of tuition.