Safeguarding
You are trusting me with your child. This page sets out exactly how online lessons are run, what checks I hold, and what to do if you ever have a concern.
In short: I hold an Basic DBS check, lessons happen in a shared family space with a parent nearby, all arrangements go through parents rather than children, and I never contact students privately outside lessons.
The welfare of every child I teach comes before everything else. That means safe lessons, appropriate boundaries, and taking any concern seriously, even a small one.
Always check credentials. Ask any private tutor for their DBS certificate before lessons begin. A tutor who hesitates is telling you something useful.
Lessons run over Google Meet, using a link sent to the parent in advance. I ask that your child works in a shared family space, such as a kitchen or living room, rather than a bedroom, and that a parent or guardian is at home and nearby throughout.
You are welcome to sit in on any lesson, at any time, without arranging it first. You never need a reason.
Lessons are taught with cameras off, using audio and a shared screen. Your child does not need a working camera, and I keep mine off as well. Everything happens on the shared screen, so you can see exactly what is being worked on at any moment.
Mock exams are the exception. There a camera does need to be on so the paper can be invigilated properly, and I will always ask your permission first.
If you would rather cameras were on during lessons, just say and I will turn mine on.
I do not record lessons. If a recording were ever proposed, for example so a student could revisit an explanation, I would ask for your written permission first and explain exactly how it would be stored and when it would be deleted.
Clear boundaries protect your child and protect me:
If you are uneasy about anything at all, whether it is something I said, how a lesson went, or something unrelated to me that you would like to flag, please tell me. No concern is too small and raising one will never cause a problem.
Message me on WhatsApp at 07766 005271 and I will respond promptly and take it seriously.
Occasionally a child mentions something during a lesson that suggests they may be at risk. If that happens I will:
I would always rather raise something and be wrong than stay quiet and be right.
I review this page at least once a year, and sooner if how I work changes. See also my privacy policy for how information is handled.
Just ask. I would far rather you checked than wondered.