Define what support is actually needed
Share the year group, programme, subject, current level, target, topics causing difficulty and any relevant deadlines. “Maths help” is too broad to identify the right specialist.
Free parent resource
How to choose a private tutor in Dubai
A good tutor should fit the student, the subject and the curriculum—not simply have an impressive profile. Use this 10-point checklist to ask better questions before agreeing to lessons.
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10-point checklist
Questions worth asking
You do not need to interrogate a tutor. A short, clear conversation should establish whether their background, approach and availability are appropriate for your child.
Ask how identity has been confirmed
If you use a tutoring organisation, ask what identity information it reviews. If you arrange lessons independently, decide what verification and safeguarding information you need before inviting someone into your home or arranging contact with your child.
Check relevant qualifications
A teaching qualification can be valuable, but relevance matters. Ask about teaching credentials, subject qualifications and whether documents have been reviewed rather than relying on profile wording alone.
Confirm curriculum and examination-board experience
Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel, AQA, OxfordAQA and IB courses are not interchangeable. A suitable tutor should understand the student's exact specification, paper structure and level.
Discuss teaching fit
Explain how the student learns, what has already been tried and whether confidence is a concern. Ask how the tutor diagnoses gaps, explains difficult ideas and adapts when the first explanation does not work.
Agree safeguarding arrangements
Clarify where lessons take place, who is present, how online sessions are accessed and how the tutor communicates with the student. Parents should remain informed about lesson arrangements and boundaries.
Set academic-integrity boundaries
Tutors may teach skills, discuss planning and give appropriate feedback. They must not write coursework, complete an IB Internal Assessment or produce assessed work for the student.
Choose a practical lesson format
Online tuition can provide access to a wider range of specialists. In-person tuition may suit students who respond better face to face. Consider travel, technology, concentration and scheduling before deciding.
Clarify fees and cancellations
Agree the lesson length, price, payment method, cancellation terms and what happens if either side needs to stop. Ask whether materials, marking or work between lessons are included.
Review progress—not promises
No responsible tutor can guarantee a grade. Agree how progress will be reviewed through topic confidence, completed practice, accuracy, independence and teacher or examination feedback.
Quick comparison checklist
- The exact subject, level and board are confirmed
- Identity and qualifications have been appropriately reviewed
- The tutor has relevant curriculum experience
- The teaching approach suits the student
- Safeguarding and communication boundaries are clear
- Academic-integrity rules are understood
- Online or in-person arrangements are practical
- Fees and cancellation terms are written down
- There is a realistic way to review progress
- Nobody has promised a guaranteed grade
Warning signs
Pause before agreeing
A confident sales pitch is not evidence of a suitable tutor. Take extra care when important questions receive vague answers.
- Qualifications or experience are claimed but cannot be explained or checked.
- The tutor is unfamiliar with the student's course, board or level.
- They guarantee a grade or promise rapid results before assessing the student.
- They offer to complete homework, coursework or assessed work.
- Fees, cancellations or communication arrangements remain unclear.
- The student feels persistently uncomfortable or the teaching style is not helping.
Questions from parents
Frequently asked questions
What qualifications should a private tutor have?
The relevant qualification depends on the subject and level. Ask what teaching and academic qualifications the tutor holds, whether these have been reviewed, and what experience they have with the student's exact curriculum.
Should a tutor know the student's examination board?
Yes. Examination boards can differ in content, assessment style and terminology. Share the exact programme, board, subject and level before lessons begin.
Can a tutor help with assessed coursework or an IB Internal Assessment?
A tutor may teach concepts, explain requirements and give appropriate feedback, but assessed work must remain the student's own. A tutor should never write or substantially rewrite submitted work.
Is online or in-person tutoring better?
The best format depends on the student, subject, location and tutor. Online tuition can widen access to specialists, while some learners prefer in-person interaction. Teaching fit and consistency matter more than the format alone.
Take it with you
Download the UAE tutor qualification and safeguarding checklist
Use the printable 12-point version when speaking with a tutor or comparing options. It includes identity, current permit requirements, qualifications, safeguarding, privacy, fees and progress.
View the free printable checklistPersonal tutor matching
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