Finding a Tutor

 

How do I request a tutor?

Complete our online tutor request form with your child’s year group, subject, location, availability and the support they require. We’ll review the information and search our network for a potentially suitable qualified teacher.

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How quickly will you find a tutor?

We will normally begin searching as soon as we receive your request and may be able to suggest a tutor within a few days. The time required depends on the subject, level, location and availability requested.

We would rather be honest if we do not currently have a suitable tutor than suggest someone who does not meet your child’s requirements.

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How do you choose a tutor for my child?
We consider your child’s age, subject, learning requirements, location, preferred lesson format and availability. Where possible, we’ll identify a qualified teacher whose experience and approach appear suited to those requirements.

Any proposed match is subject to availability. Once both the family and tutor are happy with the proposed arrangement, the family will be sent a secure payment link. The first lesson is confirmed only after the initial lesson payment has been received.

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How is the first lesson confirmed?
Once a tutor, lesson time and price have been agreed in principle, you’ll be asked to make an initial lesson payment through West Lancs Tutors. This payment secures the first lesson. West Lancs Tutors will then confirm to the tutor that the lesson is authorised to proceed and arrange the subsequent weekly payment schedule.

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Are all your tutors qualified teachers?

Yes. West Lancs Tutors works exclusively with qualified teachers and education professionals who hold an appropriate recognised teaching qualification.

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Can I choose a tutor from the website?

Our tutor profiles provide examples of the experience available within our network, but availability changes regularly. You are welcome to mention a tutor who interests you, although we cannot guarantee that they will be available or suitable for the requested arrangements. After receiving your request, we’ll consider the available tutors and discuss a proposed match with you.

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Where can lessons take place?

Depending on the tutor’s availability, tuition may take place online, at the family’s home or at the tutor’s home. The agreed location and any practical arrangements will be confirmed before tuition begins. Not every tutor offers every lesson format.

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Prices and Payments

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How much does tuition cost?

Our current hourly prices are shown on the Pricing page and vary according to the educational stage being taught.

The agreed price includes the tuition and West Lancs Tutors’ matching, administration, payment management and ongoing support. There is no separate joining or registration fee.

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Who do I pay for the lessons?

All lesson payments are made directly to West Lancs Tutors rather than to the individual tutor. West Lancs Tutors then pays the tutor separately. Keeping payments within this system allows us to maintain accurate lesson and payment records, manage cancellations and credits, support both families and tutors, and remain your central point of contact if any concerns arise. Families should not make private payment or tuition arrangements with a tutor introduced through West Lancs Tutors, as these would fall outside our service, policies and ongoing support.

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When will payment be taken?

Once a tutor, first lesson and price have been agreed, you’ll make an initial one-off payment to West Lancs Tutors. This secures the first lesson and may be taken well in advance of the lesson date.

Your approved payment method will be stored securely by our payment provider. West Lancs Tutors will then arrange a weekly recurring payment schedule. The first recurring payment will normally be collected two days before the second lesson, with subsequent payments collected on the same weekday each week, two days before each scheduled lesson. We’ll confirm the payment arrangements before tuition begins.

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What happens if an automatic payment fails?
Our payment provider will normally notify you and provide a secure link through which you can update your payment method. A second payment attempt will normally be made approximately one day later.

If payment remains unsuccessful, the affected lesson may be suspended and the tutor will be told that it is not authorised to proceed. Payments should not be made directly to the tutor.

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Can two or more children be tutored together?

Potentially, provided the children’s learning requirements are compatible and the tutor agrees that a shared lesson would be appropriate. Please include this in your tutor request so that we can discuss availability and confirm the applicable price before lessons begin.

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Lessons, Changes and Cancellations​

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Do you offer free taster lessons?

West Lancs Tutors does not offer free taster lessons. Tutors are qualified teachers whose time, preparation and professional expertise are reflected in the lesson fee. Where appropriate, a tutor may offer a brief introductory call before the first lesson to discuss the child’s needs and confirm practical arrangements. This is not a teaching or assessment session and is offered at the tutor’s discretion.

 

What happens if I need to cancel a lesson?

Please notify both your tutor and West Lancs Tutors as soon as you know that your child cannot attend.

If West Lancs Tutors receives notice before a subsequent lesson payment has been collected, we may pause the upcoming charge. If payment has already been collected and notice is received by 9am on the day of the lesson, the payment will normally be retained as credit towards a future or rearranged lesson.

Cancellations received after 9am will normally be charged in full because the tutor has reserved the time and may already have prepared for the session.

Full details are provided in our Cancellation Policy.

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What happens in a genuine emergency?

We understand that genuine illness or emergencies can occasionally arise without warning. Each child is therefore allowed one late-cancellation waiver during each school term: autumn, spring and summer. This is not one waiver per half-term. Once the waiver has been used, any further cancellations received after 9am on the day of a lesson will normally be charged in full in accordance with our Cancellation Policy.

 

What happens if we miss a lesson without giving notice?

A missed lesson or failure to attend without notice will be charged in full. The tutor has reserved the time, prepared for the session and remained available to teach.

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What happens if the tutor cancels?

You will not be charged for a lesson cancelled by the tutor. Where possible, an alternative date will be agreed. If payment has already been collected, it will be credited towards a future lesson or refunded where appropriate.

 

Can we change the regular day or time of our lessons?

Speak to the tutor and contact West Lancs Tutors as soon as possible. If the tutor can accommodate the change, the regular arrangement can be updated. If they cannot offer a suitable alternative, we can look for another tutor, although we cannot guarantee that an immediate replacement will be available.

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What if the tutor is not the right match for my child?

Please contact West Lancs Tutors so we can understand the concern and try to resolve it. Where appropriate, we can search for an alternative tutor, subject to availability. We want families and tutors to feel comfortable with the arrangement, so raising a concern will not cause any difficulty.

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How quickly should we expect to see progress?

Every child learns at a different pace, so no tutor can responsibly guarantee a particular result or timescale. Progress will depend on factors including the child’s starting point, attendance, engagement, lesson frequency and, if applicable, work completed between sessions. The tutor will identify appropriate priorities and adapt the tuition as your child’s understanding develops.

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Are we tied into a long-term contract?

No. Tuition can be stopped without entering a fixed long-term commitment. We ask for at least seven days’ written notice wherever reasonably possible so that the tutor has reasonable notice and future lessons and payments can be dealt with correctly.

Lessons scheduled during the notice period remain subject to our Cancellation Policy. Please contact West Lancs Tutors to end tuition rather than cancelling or blocking the saved payment method, as that action does not itself cancel scheduled lessons or end the arrangement.

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What happens to unused lesson credits when tuition ends?

Any unused lesson credits remaining after tuition has ended and the account has been reconciled will be refunded to the original payment method. This applies to credits issued for lessons cancelled with the required notice. Lessons charged in accordance with our late-cancellation or non-attendance policy do not create a credit. Please allow up to 10 working days for the refund to be processed.

 

Can we return for tuition in the future?

Yes. Families are welcome to request tuition again, whether for the same child, another subject or a different family member. Previous tutors may not still be available, but we will review your new requirements and search for a suitable match.

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Information and Support

 

What information will be shared with a prospective tutor?

We will share only the information reasonably required to assess whether a tutor may be suitable and available. This may include the child’s first name, year group, subject requirements, general location, availability and relevant learning information. We do not sell personal information. Further details about how information is collected, stored and used will be available in our Privacy Notice.

 

Who should I contact if I have a question or concern?

West Lancs Tutors remains your central point of contact throughout the arrangement. Routine lesson details can be discussed directly with the tutor, but questions about payments, policies, changing tutors, complaints or wider arrangements should be directed to West Lancs Tutors.