How do I find a primary school maths tutor for my kids?

Thinking about primary school maths tutors? If you are considering a primary school maths tutor for your kids, it is essential that you first do your research. Tutors have long been a popular supplement to helping kids achieve the highest grades in their SATs and 11 Plus exam. However, with the circumstances of today tutors are in higher demand than ever. In response to social distancing guidelines most maths tuition for primary school students happens online.

So as a parent, where do you begin? We have compiled a list of the UK’s top 15 online maths tutors to help kickstart your search. We will also look at the cost of online maths tuition in the UK, the reasons parents invest in tutors and which type of tuition is best for your child.

Learn more: Why online maths tutors are more popular than ever?

Primary school maths tutors: How much do they cost?

The average cost of primary school tuition in the UK per hour is £30.00-£40.00. There are tutoring services such as Think Academy UK offering classes at just £5.00 per hour. On the other end of the spectrum there are private tutors charging as much as £40.00-£50.00 per hour. Factors that can affect the cost include the quality of the tutor, what is being taught, the duration of the class and whether it is one to one of a group class. Parents need to be aware of these when making their decision.

Top 15 primary school online maths tutors:

1.      Think Academy UK

Think Academy UK is an online maths tutoring service for primary school students using expert tutors who specialise in preparing 5-11-year olds in Year 1 – Year 6 for KS1 and KS2 SATs and the 11 Plus exam. With 17 years of experience and over 4,000,000 students enrolled online, Think Academy UK is closing the attainment gap in the UK. How? – By offering the lowest cost per hour online tuition at just £6.00 per hour at KS1!

Promising to help every student achieve a scaled score of at least 100 in their KS1 and KS2 SATs, Think Academy’s classes are excellent value for money.

Read more: SATs 2021 – Complete Guide on KS2 SATs and How to Prepare Your Child!

2.      Explore Learning

Explore Learning offer maths and English tuition in both dedicated tuition centres and online. Their award-winning services help to prepare primary school students for their KS1 and KS2 SATs, with additional services on offer for preparation of the 11 Plus.

While costs vary, customers pay on a subscription basis. This includes a monthly subscription of £139.00 in addition to an initial £25.00 registration fee. With most children attending a couple of 90-minute classes per week, Explore Learning’s cost per hour of tuition at around £11.00-£13.00. This makes Explore Learning good value for money.

3.      Third Space Learning

Providing tutoring services online and directly to schools, Third Space Learning is ranked third on the list in terms of services provided and value for money. Like the competitors above, the company has invested in education technology in reaching kids remotely whilst tutoring maths to KS1 and KS2 students. With a good reputation, tuition rates creep up slightly at Third Space Learning with a 1-hour online class priced at £16.99.

Learn more: SATs 2021 – Complete Guide to KS1 SATs and How Best to Prepare Your Little One for Their First Test!

4.      Kip McGrath

Kip McGrath’s maths programmes cover all the topics that kids learn in primary school. Much of their online maths tuition is focused on mathematical concepts designed to help kids catch up at school. Other areas of tuition help to boost students ahead of their peers, promoted as an intensive intervention programme. Kip McGrath currently offers online maths tuition for primary school pupils at £31.50 per hour.

5.      Toota

One-to-one online maths tuition with qualified teachers, Toota works with over 9,000 schools across the UK. Using many of the same EdTech-powered features the above tutoring services also use, one of Toota’s unique selling points is that it provides customers with a vast pool of tutors to choose from. Do be aware that with this premium selection comes a premium price. A 60-minute online maths class at Toota is advertised at £49.00 – above the UK average.

Other popular primary school online maths tutors:

6. UK IXL
7. Matr
8. Teachers to Your Home
9. Elite Tuition Group
10. Kumon
11. Tutorwiz
12. Blue Tutors
13. Smart-Tutors
14. My Profsr
15. Simply Learning Tuition

Why choose an online primary school maths tutor?

For years, most parents would simply search for a local tutor, seeking in-person help. Nowadays location is not an issue. With online maths tuition, parents have a wider pool of more highly qualified tutors to choose from.

Furthermore, online maths tuition is more flexible and cheaper! Kids can learn from the safety of home while parents save on travel costs. Not only is it more convenient, it is good for the environment!

Primary school class size:

With the average class size of a UK primary school at 30 pupils (sometimes more) it is easy for some children to fall behind. Therefore, if you are unsure that a tutor is right for your child, consider the benefits of studying in a smaller group or on a one-to-one basis. While both are good options, it is important to remember that while one-to-one might seem like a good option, this is not always the case.

While your child might receive the tutor’s undivided attention, it can sometimes be intimidating. Learning as part of a smaller group allows your child to interact in a fun and adaptive environment with kids their own age. At the same time, it is small enough to encourage them to find their voice and participate without falling through the gaps and being left behind.

If you are decided on a maths tutor, you might wish to check the following:

Tutoring session length:

When searching for a primary school maths tutor you will no doubt notice that each session is a different length. Some run for 35-minutes, some an hour, others longer.

It is important for you to check that you are getting value for money. Try to keep in mind that children have a limited attention span, so a 90-minute class might end up being a false economy. Also check how regularly your child is scheduled for a class. Some tutors will provide a class more than once a week.

Is the lesson content appropriate for your child?

It might seem like a no brainer, but it is important for you to check the primary school maths tutor’s credentials. Ask them which university they have graduated from and what they have studied.

Check to see if they have the appropriate teaching qualifications to fully understand KS1 and KS2 content. In many cases, the tutor will have a PGCE and may even be a full-time teacher in a school. If this is the case, they will most likely know the national curriculum inside out!

If you are searching for an online maths tutor to help prepare your child for the 11 Plus exam, a primary school teacher who also tutors may not be familiar with the 11 Plus syllabus. It is important to check this before you pay for your classes.

Will you be able to establish a good line of communication with the tutor?

This is pivotal to your child’s online maths tuition. By establishing rapport with your child’s tutor, you will be able to monitor their progress more effectively. In doing so, with time it will become clear if the tutor is still proving to be good value for money.

Set a timeline. If you already know which areas of maths your child requires help with the most, be sure to communicate this with the tutor. Moreover, ask the tutor when you can expect to see improvements? – (Providing that your child studies hard and you as their parent follow up).

When it comes to progress, do not take it at face value. Ask to see proof. A good online maths tutor will be able to give you clear examples of your child’s progress without hesitation.

Equally important, ask for homework. This is an easy way for you to see if your child has retained what they have learnt from the session and if the tutor is proving effective.

Put your child first!

Most importantly, finding the right primary school online maths tutor is giving your child a premium, extracurricular learning experience. It should be fun, educationally nutritious, and ultimately successful at fulfilling an objective – whether it is success at the KS1 or KS1 SATs, the 11 Plus exam or improving numerical aptitude.

You may also like to read:

How Think Academy’s Online Maths Courses can Help Your Child Better Prepare KS2 SATs?

Top 5 Back to School Tips  Compiled by Think Academy’s Education Experts for 2020

Why Online Maths Tutors are More Popular than Ever in 2020?

KS1 SATs – How to Prepare Your Little One for Their First Test!