Phillip Irving English Tuition

24/09/2026

Almost fully booked now. Still some Sunday availability.

It's been an interesting month.

Some great results, including one borderline passing grade that came about as a result of a re-mark that I was able to advise on (whether a re-mark is likely to prove useful or not is largely dependent on where within mark bands the original papers were placed, and it's usually best to have someone qualified look over a paper before making the decision to remark it).

An average grade boost of two and a half grades per tutee across the whole achievement range (grades 4-9).

No First Tutors anymore; using TutorDex instead, which is a great site but still in its early days so not getting as much traffic. But I started with a half-full book, so not the mad scramble for new clients that last year was, and my block-booking discount for new clients is proving popular.

And a full timetable with Conexus Tuition Leicester for small group tuition, who have been pleasingly busy from the get-go this year.

Onwards and upwards!

05/09/2026

Not to sound all tinfoil hat about it but I’ve noticed something genuinely troubling since First Tutors (my initial window into tutoring) closed.

Not only are there no longer many ‘finder’s fee’ based tutoring sites, all the sites that charge commission have raised their commission.

What does this mean? That if you’re hiring online or agency tutors, you’re paying their agency at least a third (some charge 50%!) of the overall hourly rate.

So an agency charging you £60 is only handing over £30-£40 to their tutors.

I’d recommend shopping around. The same tutors are advertising directly and there’s no commission so you’ll usually pay a lower rate rate. If you can find a finders-fee website, use it - you pay once then in it’s just between you and the tutor. A newish site called Tutordex has taken the place of the site I used to use, First Tutors. A one-off payment then just the rate you agreed with the tutor. I’d recommend them, and any other with this business model. (I’m not registered there yet but will share a link when I am).

It’s sad that just as tutoring starts to boom, there are agencies out there exploiting this at the expense of tutors and parents, and seemingly pulling levers so that more ethical sites disappear.

04/09/2026

I've updated rates for the new academic year, including differentiated rates for in person/online, and for different times of the week. Looking forward to getting started with new clients this weekend, as well as continuing with those who started their journey with me last year. Had some great results to celebrate in August and was lovely to see tutees go off to their colleges of choice. Lucky to be starting the year with most weekday slots already filled, but still have some availability on Sundays; for anything English-related, get in touch!

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05/06/2026

And that’s this year’s GCSE exams done. Nice to have a few younger tutees to see out the end of the school year with than last year, when GCSEs all but signalled the end of my year’s work. Now my attention turns to exam marking by day and by evening preparing my other learners for the year to come. Fortunately, as ever, one activity inevitably inspires the other. It’s a good mix.

If anyone is considering tuition for the next academic year, now is a good time to get in touch. I’ll be revising my rates over the summer to incorporate, among other things, the steep rise in fuel costs, but I always honour existing rates for at least a full academic year when adjusting, so booking a few sessions this side of summer will see you on a lower rate than I’ll be advertising in the Autumn.

In the meantime, here’s to a fruitful last month, and a relaxing break to come :)

14/05/2026

Bit of odd news: First Tutors, the tutor catalogue site I was using, has ceased operating with no notice. So, as I reach the time of year at which my year 11s finish, freeing up timetable slots for new tutees, I’m currently solely operating out of FB. Will update this going forward as I explore my options! In the meantime, if anyone is in need of f2f or online English tuition, Y8 up to Y13, £40p/h (dependent on distance), please do drop me a DM.

22/04/2026

I've had two slots open up starting next week - a Wednesday afternoon and a Sunday early evening. Currently £40/hr, though rates for new tutees will be going up after summer (thank you, cost of living!). Drop me a message if interested🙂