home > for tutors > tutoring
Hourly Tutoring Positions

The majority of the tuition we deal with is tuition by the hour in London. Most positions are one or two hours a week during term time for the academic year (September to June). We ask tutors to commit to working with a client for the whole of the academic year as ending a placement before the child's exams in the summer term can often be disruptive and damaging to the child's progress. Most lessons take place after school (between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.); the older a child, the later he or she is able to have the lesson. There is occasionally tutoring during the day, for example if a child is being educated at home.

There is a large volume of London tutoring during the holidays, especially at Easter in the run-up to exams. It may be that a student who is being tutored during the term time needs more support during the holidays; or it may be that a student has come home from boarding school and needs extra lessons.


Residential Tutoring Positions

It is common for families to request a tutor for anything from a few to days to a couple of weeks during a school holiday to go and live with them and tutor their child/children. These positions are particularly prevalent in the Easter holidays.

Families can request tutors to live with them and work with their child/children at all stages of the year. These placements may be in the UK or abroad.

A typical day on a residential placement comprises four hours of tuition. The tutor tailors the lessons to meet the exact needs of the student. This means that if more time is needed to cover a topic, then more time can be taken. The remainder of the day is usually spent on activities such as sport, visiting places and other recreational pursuits. Tutors usually have free time in the evenings. Residential placements can vary a great deal depending on the client and their specific needs and we make every effort to ensure you are fully briefed prior to the placement.


What we expect from you

Professionalism
As a tutor you are placed in a position of responsibility and trust. We choose you for a particular job based not only on your academic abilities and qualifications, but also on your character, personality and ability to communicate and inspire students. We believe tutoring should be based on a relaxed but respectful relationship between student and tutor and it is your responsibility to maintain a professional level of conduct at all times.

Punctuality
We can all relate to the joys of public transport in London and how easily trains and buses can be delayed. Please allow yourself plenty of time to get to a tutoring placement and if you are going to be late, always call the client to let them know. If a client is paying for an hour of tuition that is what they expect - so if you are late, please make up the time you have missed.

Reliability
Sometimes it is unavoidable to have to miss lessons that have been booked. It is your responsibility to contact the client directly to let them know you will not be able to make it to a lesson and, wherever possible, to try and reschedule. Clients are expected to give you 24 hours' notice if they wish to cancel or change a lesson otherwise they will be charged for the lesson in full. With this in mind, please try to give as much notice as possible if you have to change the arrangements.

Keep informed
Please ensure that you and your client are agreed on the arrangements for each lesson. Keep in close contact with your client with regard to term and school holiday dates to avoid any mix-ups.


What you can expect from us

As one of our tutors, we value your ideas, your skills and your knowledge. If we offer you work that you feel you would not be happy to take on, please do not hesitate to say so. We want you to be comfortable with what you are teaching and do not want you to feel pressured into taking on unsuitable work. Similarly, once you have started a tutoring placement, there may be times when you come across a particular situation that you feel unable to deal with. Please contact us immediately if you need help or advice of any kind. If we cannot resolve it ourselves, we have professional contacts who can offer support and guidance.
    

"Working for Osborne Cawkwell has been a tremendous experience. The skill of the company is in listening to the needs of the children, working in active dialogue with the parents and doing the utmost to find the most suitable tutors for each situation. Because everyone is different, Osborne Cawkwell promotes a personal touch that makes them more like a reliable and supportive friend than an agency."
-- Nick, English and History tutor, and Energy Worker