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The top 10 qualities of a good tutor

By Atom | Apr 16, 2025, 1:22 PM

Young woman wearing a green top, glasses and headset, sitting in a neutrally-decorated living space, smiling and gesturing to someone on a laptop screen

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Private tuition is more popular than ever, with over 100,000 tutors now offering their services in the UK. But with no formal regulation, choosing the right tutor can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

So how do you know if a tutor is the right fit for your child?

Whether you're looking for extra support in core subjects or exam preparation, here are 10 key qualities of a good tutor to help guide your decision and make sure your investment pays off.

1. Strong subject knowledge

A great tutor has a deep and accurate understanding of the subjects they teach. This ensures:

  • Your child is learning information and topics that are aligned with the curriculum or exam board

  • Lessons go beyond surface-level facts to deepen your child’s understanding and reasoning skills

  • The tutor can answer follow-up questions confidently and clearly

Look for tutors with strong academic backgrounds, relevant qualifications and familiarity with school expectations.

2. A positive, personable approach

Tuition works best when there’s trust and rapport between the tutor and the student. A personable tutor will:

  • Make your child feel relaxed, respected and listened to

  • Build a safe learning environment where questions are welcomed

  • Adapt their tone and energy to keep your child engaged and motivated

A good personality fit is just as important as subject knowledge. Don’t be afraid to request a trial lesson!

3. Excellent communication skills

Clear communication helps both the tutor and student stay aligned. A skilled tutor will:

  • Explain tricky topics and concepts in simple, age-appropriate ways

  • Ask thoughtful questions to check your child’s understanding before moving onto the next topic

  • Keep parents informed with regular, constructive feedback

You should feel confident that your tutor understands your goals, and that your child understands theirs.

Peter's comparison to other applicants to Hampton School on Atom, and a table showing his performance attainment in different maths subtopics

Stay on top of your child's progress with Atom Tuition. Our tutors integrate Atom's award-winning platform into teaching and learning, so you'll see if your child is on track to meet their goals.

4. Flexible and adaptive teaching

Every child learns differently. A flexible tutor can:

  • Adjust their teaching methods to suit your child’s learning style (visual, auditory, hands-on, etc.)

  • Change the pace and structure of sessions based on real-time needs

  • Provide extra practice or extension work depending on progress

Flexibility is key to keeping your child both supported and challenged — the right balance for growth.

5. Patience and understanding

Learning doesn’t always click the first time, and that’s okay! A patient tutor will:

  • Encourage your child to ask questions and try again without fear of ‘getting it wrong’

  • Stay calm and supportive when your child finds something difficult

  • Know when to slow down, revisit concepts, or change their approach

Patience creates a safe learning environment where confidence can flourish.

6. Motivation without pressure

Great tutors motivate children to take ownership of their learning. They’ll:

  • Encourage curiosity and resilience, even when things get tough

  • Set achievable goals that build confidence and momentum

  • Use praise and feedback to help your child feel proud of their progress

They’ll also avoid creating dependency, helping your child grow into an independent and self-motivated learner.

7. High professional standards

You’re trusting a tutor with your child’s time, wellbeing and development. A professional tutor will:

  • Arrive prepared, punctual and ready to teach

  • Maintain appropriate boundaries and behaviour at all times

  • Hold an enhanced DBS check and understand safeguarding best practice

They should also communicate with you respectfully and transparently, showing that your child’s success matters to them.

8. Genuine empathy and support

Empathy helps tutors connect on a deeper level. A tutor who shows empathy will:

  • Recognise when your child feels frustrated, anxious or discouraged, and respond with care

  • Encourage emotional as well as academic growth

  • Be sensitive to your family’s needs and concerns

Children (and parents!) thrive when they feel understood. Empathy makes tutoring feel like a partnership.

9. Passion for their subject

A tutor who loves what they teach brings energy to every session. Their enthusiasm can:

  • Make tricky topics more engaging and enjoyable

  • Spark your child’s interest in subjects they previously found dull or difficult

  • Encourage curiosity and a positive attitude toward learning

Passion is infectious. It can be the difference between “I have to study” and “I want to learn.”

10. Meaningful experience

Tutoring is a skill built over time. An experienced tutor will:

  • Know how to explain concepts in multiple ways until they stick

  • Be comfortable working with a range of learning needs and personalities

  • Have strategies for dealing with common challenges (e.g. exam nerves, low confidence, gaps in foundational knowledge)

If your child has specific learning needs or is preparing for a particular exam, look for a tutor with relevant experience or training.

Make the right match with Atom Tuition

The qualities of a good tutor go beyond strong academics. You’re looking for someone who connects with your child, understands how they learn, and inspires them to succeed.

At Atom Tuition, we take the guesswork out of finding a tutor. Our client advisors will get to know your child’s needs, learning style and goals, then match you with a carefully selected tutor who ticks all the boxes.

Georgie's exam prep plan on Atom Home, showing the number of topics completed this week in English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning

We offer expert online tuition for Key Stage 2 subjects and selective school exam preparation, all backed by powerful learning data from Atom’s award-winning platform.

What you’ll get with Atom Tuition:

  • Personalised, data-driven learning: sessions tailored to your child’s needs and progress

  • Exceptional tutors: subject specialists with experience, enthusiasm and enhanced DBS checks

  • Transparent reporting: weekly feedback and 24/7 access to your child’s progress dashboard

  • Support between lessons: access to Atom Home for continuous learning at home

  • A risk-free start: not 100% happy with your trial? Get a free replacement tutor or full refund

Ready to meet the perfect tutor?

Fill out this quick form and one of our friendly advisors will be in touch to help you get started.

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