What Makes a Great Tutor?
4 Qualities We Look for When Hiring
– Reche Low
This Monday, we said goodbye to our 24/25 Leavers, a bittersweet moment that never gets easier. With fewer lessons on my calendar, I took the opportunity to sit in on some live sessions and quality-check our tutors.
It reminded me why I always say our biggest strength as a tuition company is the quality of each tutor. Whether they’re supporting students at KS3 or helping Year 11s through their GCSEs, we only bring on tutors who meet four essential standards:
Subject Knowledge
Above all else, great tutors need to know their subject inside out. It’s not enough to “just be good at explaining”, we only work with tutors who have a strong academic background in the subject they teach.
That’s why our team only tutors in Maths, English and Science, and within that, they specialise. This allows each tutor to go deep into their subject and deliver a focused, high-quality learning experience for every student.
Masters of one > Jacks of all trades.
Rapport-Building
In my four years of running this company, one thing has become crystal clear: students do better when they like and trust their tutor.
We’ve had so many students join us feeling disillusioned by school, moved down to Foundation Tier when they were capable of Higher, or rushed through topics before they were ready. That’s where relationship-building matters.
Asking about a favourite football team or a show they’re watching might sound small, but it’s how trust is built. And once that trust is there, students arrive on time, engage in lessons, and even revise outside of them. That’s when progress really happens.
Personality
While qualifications and experience matter, the personality of a tutor is often the difference between a good session and a transformative one.
I’ll never forget a parent who messaged us back in October 2023. Her daughter struggled with anxiety and low confidence. “Just sitting an assessment without panicking was a win.” Fast-forward to this week, and the same parent wrote:
“Thanks. [she] says her tutor was absolutely incredible. She put in a lot of effort and gives her confidence. She really appreciates it.”
The best tutors are patient, empathetic, and encouraging. These qualities help students feel safe, seen, and capable, especially when working 1:1. PS: I love receiving reviews, you can see some here
Reliability
It’s not flashy, but it’s non-negotiable. Tutors need to be reliable.
No parent wants to chase missed sessions or chase feedback. And no student thrives under inconsistent support.
We look for tutors who:
- Show up on time, every time
- Prepare for each session
- Communicate clearly and professionally
Consistency builds trust with families and students alike. It’s the foundation of progress.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s a KS3 Maths student building confidence or a GCSE English student preparing for exams, the four things that matter most in a tutor are:
– Strong subject knowledge
– The ability to build rapport
– A warm, understanding personality
– Absolute reliability
These aren’t just nice-to-haves, they’re essential to what we do.
LET’S RIEVAMP EDUCATION