Ask to See the Paperwork, Not the Poster: A Parent's Audit of a Tuition Centre
Tuition centres are good at posters. Smiling teenagers, a ladder of grades, a slogan about unlocking potential. None of that is evidence. It is marketing, and there is nothing wrong with marketing until it starts doing the job of a contract. Before you hand over a term's fees, treat the first session as an audit rather than a taster. You are not there to be charmed. You are there to find out what actually happens after the glossy leaflet goes in the bin.
Start with the listing, then leave it behind
A directory entry is a starting point, not a character reference. Use a local listing to get the address, the phone number and a sense of what the centre claims to offer. Then ring them. Ask who teaches the subject your child needs, what happens in a typical lesson and whether you can see the written terms before paying. A centre that answers those questions clearly is already ahead of one that says 'pop in and we'll explain' and then spends twenty minutes on the hard sell.
Qualifications: subject knowledge is not the same as teaching skill
Ask who will actually be in the room. Is it a qualified teacher, a university student, a retired examiner or a subject specialist with no teaching background? None of those is automatically wrong, but you should know which one you are buying. Ask whether the tutor has a relevant degree, QTS or equivalent experience, and how long they have taught the subject. Ask if your child will get the same tutor each week. Consistency matters more than a rotating cast of brilliant people who never learn your child's name.
DBS and safeguarding: ask how, not just whether
'All our staff are DBS checked' is a sentence, not a system. Ask whether the checks are enhanced, whether they include the children's barred list, and who reviews them. Ask about the update service. Ask who the designated safeguarding lead is, what training staff have had, and how the centre handles collection arrangements, toilet breaks, online tutoring and one-to-one sessions. Ask to see the safeguarding policy. You do not need to read it like a lawyer, but you should see that it exists and that someone can explain it without disappearing to find a manager.
Exam-board claims and the small print
Be careful with any centre that promises a grade. A tutor can prepare a student, mark practice papers and build confidence, but no honest centre controls an exam board. Ask which boards and specifications they prepare for, whether they are an exam centre or simply a preparation centre, and how mock marking works. If they claim a high pass rate, ask what the cohort was and whether it includes students who did not sit the exam. If they talk about predicted grades, ask who provides them and on what evidence. You want specifics, not a wall of logos.
Class sizes and the actual room
Ask for the maximum group size, the typical group size and the staff-to-student ratio. A centre that says 'small groups' but cannot give you a number is telling you something. When you visit, look at the room properly. Is there space to work, decent lighting and a fire exit that is not blocked by boxes? Can you see the resources, or are they kept behind a door? Ask how groups are set and whether a child can move if the level is wrong. A good centre will not mind these questions. A shaky one will start talking about reputation.
Money: refunds, cancellations and missed lessons
Get the terms in writing before you pay. Ask about the cooling-off period, the notice required to cancel, and what happens if your child misses a lesson because of illness. Ask what happens if the centre cancels, if the tutor leaves, or if you are unhappy after three weeks. Are materials included? Is there a registration fee? Do you get a receipt and a written schedule? Avoid paying for a whole year upfront unless you are comfortable with the risk. A term is enough to test the water.
The first session is an audit, not a taster
Arrive early and watch the handover. Who signs children in? Who supervises the corridor? Is there a clear collection policy? If you are allowed to observe briefly, do so. Afterwards, ask your child what they actually did, not whether they liked it. Look for marked work, clear homework and a sensible amount of feedback. After a few weeks, ask for a short written progress note. If the centre cannot tell you what your child is working on and why, the teaching may be pleasant but unfocused.
Green flags, red flags and a sensible exit
Green flags: named tutors, written policies, clear class sizes, a proper receipt, a willingness to answer safeguarding questions and a refund policy that fits on one page. Red flags: guaranteed grades, pressure to pay on the day, no written terms, vague answers about DBS checks and a room that feels like a corridor with chairs. Keep a copy of everything. Review after half a term. A good tuition centre should survive a parent who asks for the paperwork, not just the poster.
