Tutor Job Description
Use this Tutor job-description template to attract qualified tutors for one-to-one or small-group tuition across school and college subjects. It sets out practical responsibilities, realistic essential criteria and suggested benefits so you can publish a clear vacancy fast.
What does a Tutor professional do?
A Tutor delivers targeted tuition, adapts lessons to individual needs, assesses progress and supports students to meet learning or exam goals.
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.
Tutor (one-to-one / small group)
About the role
We are looking for a Tutor to provide tailored one-to-one and small-group tuition in [Subject] for learners aged [age range] in [Location] and online. You will plan focused lessons, assess progress, keep records and liaise with parents or guardians. This role is [part-time / freelance / term-time] with flexible hours; [Employer name] offers competitive hourly pay and professional development opportunities.
Key responsibilities
- Plan and deliver engaging, differentiated lessons that meet each student’s learning needs and targets
- Assess student progress regularly and provide constructive feedback with clear next steps
- Prepare and adapt teaching resources, worksheets and practice assessments
- Keep accurate records of sessions, outcomes and attendance for each student
- Communicate progress and suggested actions promptly with parents, guardians or referring organisations
- Adjust teaching methods to match different learning styles and special educational needs where applicable
- Uphold safeguarding requirements and follow safeguarding policies when working with children or vulnerable learners
- Manage scheduling, cancellations and basic administrative tasks associated with your students
Essential skills and experience
- Strong subject knowledge in the specified teaching subject or relevant qualification
- Experience delivering one-to-one or small-group tuition with measurable student progress
- Good communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain concepts clearly
- Right to work in the UK
- Willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check where the role involves unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults
Desirable
- Teaching qualification (for example PGCE) or recognised tutoring accreditation
- Experience with GCSE, A-level or other relevant exam boards and syllabuses
- Familiarity with online teaching platforms and digital resources
- Experience of supporting learners with additional learning needs or English as an additional language
- Own transport for travel to in-person sessions where required
What we offer
- [Competitive hourly rate] (enter paid rate)
- Flexible working pattern and ability to choose sessions
- Option to deliver sessions remotely or at students’ homes where appropriate
- Opportunities for professional development and training support
- Paid planning/preparation time or paid admin time (specify if offered)
- Reimbursement of agreed travel expenses (if applicable)
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 a Tutor role?
Tutors provide targeted academic support to individual students or small groups, focusing on building knowledge, exam technique and confidence. They design lesson plans to meet specific learning goals, track progress through assessments and feedback, and work with parents or schools to support wider educational aims. Tutors may deliver sessions in-person, online or a mix of both.
Who hires tutors
Parents, tuition agencies, schools and colleges commonly engage tutors for subject support, exam preparation or skills development.
Typical work
One-to-one or small-group sessions, lesson planning, assessment, liaising with families and record keeping.
Working pattern
Many tutors work evenings, weekends and term-time hours; some combine regular weekly sessions with ad-hoc intensive blocks.
Delivery modes
Tuition can be delivered in-person, online or hybrid depending on student needs and travel.
Typical Tutor responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Plan and deliver engaging
Plan and deliver engaging, differentiated lessons that meet each student’s learning needs and targets
Assess student progress regularly
Assess student progress regularly and provide constructive feedback with clear next steps
Prepare
Prepare and adapt teaching resources, worksheets and practice assessments
Keep accurate records of sessions
Keep accurate records of sessions, outcomes and attendance for each student
Communicate progress
Communicate progress and suggested actions promptly with parents, guardians or referring organisations
Adjust teaching methods
Adjust teaching methods to match different learning styles and special educational needs where applicable
Uphold safeguarding requirements
Uphold safeguarding requirements and follow safeguarding policies when working with children or vulnerable learners
Manage scheduling
Manage scheduling, cancellations and basic administrative tasks associated with your students
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 in the specified teaching subject or relevant qualification
- Experience delivering one-to-one or small-group tuition with measurable student progress
- Good communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain concepts clearly
- Right to work in the UK
- Willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check where the role involves unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults
Useful where relevant
- Teaching qualification (for example PGCE) or recognised tutoring accreditation
- Experience with GCSE, A-level or other relevant exam boards and syllabuses
- Familiarity with online teaching platforms and digital resources
- Experience of supporting learners with additional learning needs or English as an additional language
- Own transport for travel to in-person sessions where required
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Tutor job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be specific about subject and level
List the exact subject (for example: GCSE Biology, KS3 Maths, A-level Economics) and the age or exam level so candidates can self-select.
State the lesson format and expectations
Make clear whether sessions are one-to-one or small group, online or in-person, typical session length and expected number of hours per week.
Highlight expected outcomes
Tell applicants the goals for students (improving grades, building skills, catching up) and how you measure progress.
Be transparent about checks and evidence
Say if an enhanced DBS, references or proof of qualifications are required and whether you will accept candidates willing to obtain them.
Include a short example session
A brief outline of a typical lesson (objectives, activities, resources) helps candidates demonstrate relevant experience in their application.
Tutor salary considerations
Tutor pay varies widely depending on subject, student level, location and whether sessions are delivered privately, through an agency or via a school. Employers should set rates that reflect the tutor’s experience, qualifications and the complexity of the tuition required.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Tutor candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What age range and exam level are the students?
Experienced tutors want to know whether they’ll work with primary, GCSE, A-level or adult learners to assess fit and prepare suitable resources.
Are safeguarding checks (DBS) required?
Employers should clarify whether an enhanced DBS is mandatory for working with minors and whether they will sponsor or reimburse checks.
Do you provide students or are tutors expected to recruit?
Candidates need to know if the role includes pre-arranged students, agency referrals or whether they must source their own clients.
What equipment or platforms are used for online sessions?
Specify preferred video platforms, whether you supply digital resources or if tutors must use their own subscriptions and tools.
What is the schedule and cancellation policy?
Clarify typical session times, notice required for cancellations and how missed lessons are handled or paid.
How is pay arranged and are expenses reimbursed?
Candidates expect to know whether they are paid per session, hourly or per block, how and when payments are made, and whether travel expenses are covered.
Where to post a Tutor job
For tutors, use a mix of broad UK job boards and education-focused channels. Local community listings, school and university noticeboards, subject-specific forums and tutoring platforms help reach candidates who specialise in particular ages or subjects. When hiring for in-person tuition prioritise local channels; for remote roles widen distribution to national and online tutoring communities.
Related education job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Tutor job description FAQs
Do tutors need a teaching qualification?
Not always. Many tutors are subject specialists with a degree or relevant experience. Teaching qualifications such as a PGCE can be an advantage, especially for school placements, but significant tutoring experience and demonstrated student progress are also highly valued.
When is an enhanced DBS required?
An enhanced DBS check is commonly required for roles involving unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults. Employers should state their safeguarding requirements in the advert and make clear whether they will request or pay for checks.
Should tutors be employed or self-employed?
Both arrangements are used. Many tutors work as self-employed contractors, while some agencies or schools offer employment contracts. Decide based on control over work, tax considerations and how you want to manage PAYE and benefits.
What checks should employers carry out?
At minimum check identity, right to work in the UK and professional references. For roles with children or vulnerable adults, obtain an enhanced DBS check and ask for evidence of relevant qualifications and recent experience.
How do I set hourly rates?
Base rates on subject difficulty, student level, tutor qualifications and local market conditions. Consider whether you will include travel time, preparation time and cancellation policies when setting your pay.
Is insurance necessary for tutors?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance are recommended for tutors, particularly those operating independently or visiting students’ homes. Confirm insurance requirements as part of your hiring and onboarding process.
Ready to recruit a Tutor?
Use this template to create a clear vacancy that attracts qualified tutors. Tailor the responsibilities, essential criteria and pay notes to reflect the subjects, levels and delivery modes you need, then publish across targeted education and local channels.
