For English tutors
You will need skills and knowledge equivalent to a grade 6 at GCSE in English Language
What we are looking for in a tutor
We value potential, passion for education, and the ability to connect with young people. We welcome applicants with strong critical thinking, excellent communication skills, and with enthusiasm for your subject.
Essential qualities
With all employment, there are some criteria which are vital to a role. Here at Tutor Trust, we are no different. To succeed in becoming one of our tutors, you will need:
- to be aged 18 or over
- to be able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge equivalent to a grade 6 at GCSE in the relevant subject, so:
Yes, definitely! Please include details about your current degree, such as your course, university, and expected graduation date.
If you need a replacement certificate, you can order a replacement.
If you did your GCSEs (or equivalent) abroad, please send us these certificates.
We recognise that valuable subject knowledge and skills can be acquired through various routes. If you do not meet the GCSE grade 6 requirement, please tell us in your application if you:
- Studied that subject at A-Level;
- Are currently studying for a degree in the subject or a closely related field;
- Applied your subject knowledge through an extended period of relevant work or volunteering experience;
- Possess significant lived experience, particularly if you have grown up in a community similar to the ones our pupils come from, or if you are the first member of your family to attend university. We know that this lived experience
gives you a strong understanding of the multiple and interconnected challenges pupils from similar backgrounds may face. It's a significant asset in relating to and supporting them. Your insights into the challenges pupils may face in engaging with education, informed by your own experiences, are highly valued. - Gained qualifications equivalent to GCSE level in that subject in another country at age 16. If this applies to you, please contact our recruitment team for further information on how to proceed.
Is it vital that you have awareness and/or have researched the following areas:
- Awareness of safeguarding young people. Successful candidates will be required to complete Tutor Trust's safeguarding training upon successful interview and annually thereafter.
- A genuine passion for education and a belief in equity in education for all young people, with a commitment to supporting pupil learning and development.
- Available for tutoring during the school day (Monday to Friday, 8.00 - 16.00) and be able to travel to schools within your local area.
- Demonstrate strong critical thinking, subject knowledge and enthusiasm.
- Ability to clearly explain concepts, build rapport with pupils from diverse backgrounds, adapt teaching methods to individual needs, and communicate effectively with school/college staff and colleagues at Tutor Trust.
- Understanding of the importance of building impactful relationships with pupils over a sustained period (typically 15 school weeks) to support their progress.
- Willingness to contribute to Tutor Trust's development by providing regular feedback and promoting our mission of educational equity.
Desirable qualities
We also understand the value of diversity in our workforce, in all that it means. Being a tutor is rewarding employment that comes from the breadth of experiences of our employees, alongside the impact on our students. If you can show any one or more of the following, then you could be experiencing that feeling too:
- Experience of working with young people from a variety of backgrounds
- We welcome all applicants who can demonstrate transferable skills relevant to the role (such as mentoring - perhaps of a younger relative if not more formally - communication, leadership, or problem-solving, including those with experience outside of traditional educational settings).
- An understanding of the systemic inequalities that impact educational outcomes for young people from marginalised backgrounds.
- Applicants with higher academic qualifications (for example A-Levels or a university degree) in their chosen subject area, are eligible to apply as this may open up opportunities to be involved in some of our diversified programmes that we run alongside our tuition in more mainstream school settings.
- While QTS is welcomed for the educational expertise it offers, it is not a requirement. We greatly value the subject knowledge and varied backgrounds of all applicants, regardless of QTS status.
- The ability and willingness to train to tutor in more than one subject is desirable, as this can lead to more tutoring opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
You may still have some questions, which is normal. We have spoken to and worked with a large number of tutors over the years. We are still learning based on what we are asked but you can find our most common questions in our FAQs Guide: