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
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
You will also need to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) plus reference checks, be legally entitled to work in the UK and able to register as self-employed with HMRC. You can find out more on these in the FAQs below.
Frequently asked questions about essential criteria
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.
Tutor Trust is committed to safeguarding and takes its responsibility seriously. It is a legal requirement that all our tutors have an enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) certificate that is listed on the Update Service (which will cost you £16, should you be successful at interview). Once we’ve been notified that your DBS has been issued, we’ll contact you with guidance on how to add this to the DBS Update Service to complete the DBS process. You need to add your DBS to the Update Service within 21 days of your DBS issue date. Unfortunately, we’re unable to do this for you, and there is a charge of £16.
NOTE: It is an offence to apply for a role if you are barred from engaging in a regulated activity relevant to children.
You can read our full child protection and safeguarding policies and practices, and read more about our approach to DBS and what documents you will need in our Guide to DBS article.
Our tutors work for us on a self-employed basis. If you're a UK citizen, then you'll be able to do this on the UK Government website and should complete this before taking on any work with us.
If you're not a UK citizen but your immigration status allows you to work as self-employed in the UK, then you should check your Right to Work (link opens on the UK Government website) before applying.
If you're not a UK citizen and your immigration status doesn't allow you to work as self-employed in the UK, then you wouldn't be able to be a self-employed tutor with us. If in any doubt, you can:
- Check your Right to Work
- Email us
Note: it is your responsibility to ensure you can register for self-employment before applying to tutor with us.
If you're not a UK citizen but your immigration status allows you to work as self-employed in the UK, then you should check your Right to Work (link opens on the UK Government website) before applying.
If you're not a UK citizen and your immigration status doesn't allow you to work as self-employed in the UK, then you wouldn't be able to be a self-employed tutor with us.
If you have lived in a country outside of the UK for a consecutive period of 6 months or more within the last 5 years you are advised to have an overseas police check completed. You should consult the UK Government's guide to criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
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.
Important guidance on flexibility regarding formal qualifications
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.
Still have 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: