GCSE Maths matters. It is needed for most sixth form courses, many apprenticeships and plenty of careers, and a student who does not reach a grade 4 usually has to keep studying it. So when a child is struggling, or aiming higher, many parents look for a tutor. Here is what I would look for, as a teacher.
1. A qualified teacher who knows the exam
Being good at maths is not the same as being able to teach it. A qualified teacher knows how topics build on each other, where students usually go wrong and how to explain the same idea in several different ways. Ask which exam board your child studies (AQA, Pearson Edexcel or OCR) and check the tutor knows it.
2. Safeguarding comes first
Your child will spend time alone with this adult, even online. Ask what checks have been done: identity, qualifications and a police (DBS) check. On a good platform, these are checked before the tutor can teach, lessons happen in a secure classroom, and communication stays on the platform.
3. A clear starting point
A good first lesson finds out what your child already knows, where the gaps are, and whether they are working towards the Foundation or Higher tier. Without that, lessons tend to repeat what your child can already do.
4. A plan, not just homework help
Helping with tonight's homework has its place, but steady progress comes from a plan: closing gaps topic by topic, then plenty of exam-style practice, past papers and timing.
5. Progress you can see
You should not have to guess whether lessons are working. Look for short notes after each lesson: what was covered, what went well and what to practise next.
6. The right fit for your child
Some students need patience and confidence-building; others need stretch. Message a tutor before booking and ask how they would work with your child. If it does not feel right after a few lessons, it is fine to change.
At Education Lifeguards every teacher is a qualified, vetted teacher, and parents see notes and progress after every lesson. You can find GCSE Maths tutors here.