Online Tutor Job Description
Hire confident, student‑centred tutors to deliver one‑to‑one or small‑group lessons online. This template helps you describe the role, practical responsibilities and the requirements you should ask for when recruiting tutors who teach UK curricula and exam syllabuses.
What does a Online Tutor professional do?
Remote role delivering subject tutoring online to learners in the UK; flexible hours, typically paid per hour or per session; suitable for part‑time, freelance or agency‑style arrangements.
Online Tutor job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Online Tutor
About the role
We are seeking an experienced Online Tutor to deliver high‑quality live tuition in [Subject] to learners at [Level — e.g. KS3, GCSE, A‑Level, adult]. You will plan and deliver structured lessons remotely, set and review homework, track progress and communicate with students and parents. This role is [part‑time / freelance / permanent], with sessions typically held [evenings / daytime / weekends]. Rate: [£X‑£Y per hour or session].
Key responsibilities
- Plan and prepare engaging, curriculum‑relevant online lessons tailored to individual learner needs and exam specifications.
- Deliver live lessons using video conferencing and learning platforms, keeping sessions interactive and paced appropriately.
- Set, mark and provide constructive feedback on homework and practice assessments.
- Assess and record student progress; maintain accurate session notes and short progress reports.
- Adapt resources and teaching approaches for different abilities, learning styles and any identified special educational needs.
- Communicate professionally and promptly with students, parents or guardians about progress, scheduling and expectations.
- Use digital tools (whiteboards, shared documents, screen sharing, recorded clips) effectively to support learning.
- Follow safeguarding procedures and maintain appropriate professional boundaries during online lessons.
Essential skills and experience
- Strong subject knowledge relevant to the tutoring subject or exam level.
- Proven experience of delivering one‑to‑one or small‑group tuition, preferably online.
- Good spoken and written English and clear verbal communication skills for remote delivery.
- Comfortable using video calling software and common online teaching tools (video, screen sharing, digital whiteboards).
- Right to work in the UK.
- Reliable internet connection and suitable workspace for delivering lessons.
Desirable
- Formal teaching qualification (e.g. PGCE) or degree in the subject area.
- Experience preparing students for specific UK exams (GCSE, A‑Level, vocational qualifications).
- Experience working with learners who have special educational needs or who require differentiated support.
- Familiarity with a learning management system (LMS) or tutor platforms and online assessment tools.
- Safeguarding training and willingness to hold or obtain an enhanced DBS check where required.
What we offer
- Competitive hourly or per‑session pay (specify range).
- Flexible working hours — choose lesson times that suit you.
- Remote working from home.
- Opportunities for professional development and training (specify if provided).
- Supportive onboarding and access to shared teaching resources.
- Payment via wage, invoice or platform payout (detail in advert).
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is an Online Tutor role?
Online tutors deliver subject‑specific tuition to learners remotely, focusing on improving understanding, skills and exam performance. They design short‑term lesson plans, run live sessions using video and digital teaching tools, assess progress and provide targeted feedback. Tutors commonly work with school‑age pupils on GCSE and A‑Level subjects but also support adult learners and vocational students.
Delivery
Live online lessons using video conferencing, screen sharing and digital whiteboards.
Class size
Typically one‑to‑one or small groups (2–6 learners), depending on employer or platform.
Hours
Flexible sessions — evenings and weekends commonly required for school‑age learners.
Curriculum
Support for UK curricula and exam boards (KS2–A‑Level) or bespoke adult learning.
Typical Online Tutor responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Plan and prepare engaging
Plan and prepare engaging, curriculum‑relevant online lessons tailored to individual learner needs and exam specifications.
Deliver live lessons using video conferencing
Deliver live lessons using video conferencing and learning platforms, keeping sessions interactive and paced appropriately.
Set, mark
Set, mark and provide constructive feedback on homework and practice assessments.
Assess
Assess and record student progress; maintain accurate session notes and short progress reports.
Adapt resources
Adapt resources and teaching approaches for different abilities, learning styles and any identified special educational needs.
Communicate professionally
Communicate professionally and promptly with students, parents or guardians about progress, scheduling and expectations.
Use digital tools (whiteboards
Use digital tools (whiteboards, shared documents, screen sharing, recorded clips) effectively to support learning.
Follow safeguarding procedures
Follow safeguarding procedures and maintain appropriate professional boundaries during online lessons.
Online Tutor skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Strong subject knowledge relevant to the tutoring subject or exam level.
- Proven experience of delivering one‑to‑one or small‑group tuition, preferably online.
- Good spoken and written English and clear verbal communication skills for remote delivery.
- Comfortable using video calling software and common online teaching tools (video, screen sharing, digital whiteboards).
- Right to work in the UK.
- Reliable internet connection and suitable workspace for delivering lessons.
Useful where relevant
- Formal teaching qualification (e.g. PGCE) or degree in the subject area.
- Experience preparing students for specific UK exams (GCSE, A‑Level, vocational qualifications).
- Experience working with learners who have special educational needs or who require differentiated support.
- Familiarity with a learning management system (LMS) or tutor platforms and online assessment tools.
- Safeguarding training and willingness to hold or obtain an enhanced DBS check where required.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Online Tutor job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
State the subject and level clearly
Specify the exact subject (e.g. Maths, Biology) and learner level (KS3, GCSE, A‑Level, adult) so candidates assess fit quickly.
Describe lesson format and tech
List typical session length, one‑to‑one vs group, the video platform used and any specific tools or resources required.
Be explicit about availability
Note required hours or availability windows (e.g. weekday evenings, weekends) and whether hours are fixed or flexible.
Clarify checks and support
Tell candidates whether an enhanced DBS is required, what induction is provided, and how lessons and payments are managed.
Online Tutor salary considerations
Do not quote a single market figure; tutor pay varies widely. When setting your rate consider the subject and level taught, whether lessons are one‑to‑one or group sessions, the tutor’s experience and qualifications, and whether you or the tutor provide materials and marking.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Online Tutor candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
Who are my students?
Candidates need to know age range, ability level, whether students are school pupils, adult learners or exam candidates.
When are lessons scheduled?
Provide typical lesson days/times and indicate if availability is fixed or flexible to help candidates assess fit.
How are tutors paid?
State the pay rate or range, invoicing/payment method, and payment frequency (weekly/monthly/after sessions).
What safeguarding checks are required?
Make clear whether an enhanced DBS is required for under‑18 pupils and whether the employer facilitates checks.
What technology do I need?
List required software, minimum broadband, camera/microphone expectations and any platform accounts the employer supplies.
Is training or resource access provided?
Clarify whether lesson plans, marking guidance or CPD are available to tutors.
Where to post a Online Tutor job
For online tutors use a mix of channels: broad UK job boards reach a wide candidate pool, sector‑specific education and tutoring platforms target active tutors, and professional networks or subject‑specific forums attract experienced specialists. Also consider local community channels and university jobs boards when recruiting early‑career tutors or subject‑specialist graduates.
Online Tutor job description FAQs
Do I need to ask for a DBS check from all tutors?
If tutors will be working with under‑18s, an enhanced DBS check is ordinarily required or expected by parents and schools. If the role is exclusively for adult learners you can make DBS optional. State your requirement clearly in the advert and explain whether you will process checks or expect the tutor to bring one.
Should I advertise pay as hourly or per session?
Either is acceptable; many tutors prefer an hourly rate for transparency. For longer or block bookings you can quote a per‑session rate and indicate typical session length. Be clear about invoicing and payment frequency.
How can I verify a tutor’s teaching ability?
Ask for references from recent tuition or teaching roles, request a short trial lesson or recorded sample, and check formal qualifications where relevant. A short assessment lesson with a volunteer pupil gives practical insight into teaching and rapport.
What equipment or software should I provide?
Decide whether you provide access to a platform or expect tutors to use their own accounts. Typical employer support includes a subscription to a conferencing platform, shared resource library and basic onboarding to your preferred tools.
Should I hire tutors as employees or freelancers?
Both models are used. Freelance arrangements offer flexibility but require clear contracting for payment, responsibilities and compliance with tax rules. Employing tutors gives more control over schedules and safeguarding but includes payroll obligations. Seek HR or legal advice for long‑term arrangements.
Ready to recruit an Online Tutor?
Use the advert paragraph above as a starting point, add your specific details (subject, level, hours and pay), and post to the channels that match your needs. If you want broader reach, consider sector job boards and university boards to find experienced or early‑career tutors.
