One of the most common questions I get from parents, particularly when they first get in touch, is whether online tutoring can really work as well as sitting in the same room together. It’s a fair question, and honestly, the answer depends far more on the child than on the format itself.

How online tutoring actually works

My online maths sessions run over video call, using a shared digital whiteboard so we can work through problems together in real time, exactly as we would with pen and paper across a table. I can see a pupil’s working as they write it, talk them through where it’s gone off track, and share resources instantly rather than relying on printed worksheets. For most pupils, after the first session or two, it feels entirely natural, and a lot of families are surprised by how little is actually lost.

Where face-to-face still has the edge

Younger pupils, or those who are easily distracted, often focus better in a room together. There’s also something to be said for the simple presence of another person when a child is anxious about maths; body language and reassurance travel more easily face-to-face than through a screen. If your child is working through a real confidence knock rather than just a knowledge gap, in-person sessions are often the better starting point.

Where online genuinely works better

• Families outside my usual travel area, who’d otherwise miss out on qualified, examiner-level tutoring entirely
• Older pupils, particularly GCSE age, who are used to screens and independent work
• Families needing more flexible scheduling around clubs, siblings, or shift patterns
• Pupils who focus better without the social pressure of an in-person session

My honest advice

There’s no universally right answer here, and I’d rather talk it through with you than push one format over the other. Some families even mix the two, starting face-to-face to build confidence and rapport, then moving some sessions online once things are established.

If you’d like to talk through which format might suit your child, get in touch. You can also read more about my background, or see what other parents have said.