Frequently asked questions

I want to employ a tutor- how do I start?
I have found someone who I would like to employ - what contract should I use?
Is employment as a tutor pensionable?
Once the agreement is made what happens next?

If your question is not here, please contact us.

I want to employ a tutor how do I start?

Tutors employed to provide one to one tuition must be qualified teachers (QTS) although they do not have to be currently employed as a teacher. The following can also be considered:

newly qualified teachers (NQTs) in the summer before gaining QTS
overseas trained teachers qualified to teach in schools in England (those who do not currently hold QTS, but who have been teaching in England for fewer than four years)
FE or HE trained teachers with appropriate subject qualifications

All tutors must hold the appropriate level of disclosure - a current and enhanced Criminal Record Bureau Check (CRB check). Download Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education (link to Teachernet website) for advice.

Schools are ‘employing’ tutors from a variety of backgrounds. Some have been the school’s own staff, teachers on a career break or retired. Many of these tutors have been found through school newsletters or through local marketing. A list of tutoring and supply agencies has been circulated to all Ealing schools.

top

I have found someone who I would like to employ - what contract should I use?

Currently, anyone who is employed directly as a teacher under section 122 of the Education Act 2002 is covered by the terms of the School Teachers’ Pay and Condition Document (link to Teachernet website).

This applies regardless of whether the tutor is already currently employed as a teacher by a governing body, or whether they are not and tuition is their main job or only job.

Queries should be addressed to Ealing’s HR contact Michelle Voutt.
Email: michvout@ealing.gov.uk

top

Is employment as a tutor pensionable?

Employment as a tutor falls within the scope of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) and payments made under the document are contributable. The employment is pensionable whether it is:

solely as a part time tutor
concurrent with other employment within the local authority
multiple employment (where a person has contracts with more than one TPS employer)

This is the case unless the tutor has formally opted out of the scheme (nb an opt out would apply to all employment that falls within the scheme - a person cannot make a partial opt out only in relation to employment as a tutor) or the tutor is already in full time pensionable employment with another TPS employer.

The suggested gross hourly rate of £32 in Ealing has been calculated according to feedback from the Making Good Progress pilot LAs which suggested an average deduction of £4 for employers’ on costs’.

‘Employment’ of a tutor who is supplied by an agency falls outside of the TPS and is not pensionable.

top

Once the agreement is made what happens next?

We suggest once you have agreed to ‘employ’ a tutor you should set out the terms of agreement in a written document such as a letter.

This should include details of the number of children to be tutored, any arrangements made about timing, and the agreed hourly rate.

If any of these details change, because for example, a tutor agrees to take on an additional tutee, the letter should be updated, or a new letter issued. Schools may want to make it clear that payment will only be made in respect of actual hours worked.

For more information please contact individualtution.enquiries@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk

top