The most useful feedback to a tutor is specific and focused on outcomes: share school reports and upcoming exams, describe what’s working and what isn’t, and suggest a concrete change you’d like to see. Good tutors welcome feedback, and a short conversation can make lessons much more effective. This guide explains how to do it well.

Written by Tutopiya, an online tutoring company that teaches students one-to-one.

Key takeaways

• Tutors welcome clear feedback.
• Share information, not just opinions.
• Be specific about what you’d like to change.
• Review after a few lessons.

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What to share with a tutor

Tutors teach better when they know your child’s school picture, goals and worries. The EEF’s parental engagement summary highlights how parents support learning.

Information	Why it helps
School reports	Shows gaps
Test results	Targets topics
Exam dates	Plans revision
Your child’s views	Builds engagement
What helps at home	Consistency

How to give feedback: step by step

1. Ask your child how lessons feel.
2. Note specific examples.
3. Choose a calm time to talk.
4. Start with what’s working.
5. Describe the concern and a suggested change.
6. Agree a review point.

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Examples of helpful feedback

Instead of	Try
”It’s not working"	"Her test marks in algebra haven’t improved; could we focus there?"
"He’s bored"	"He enjoys challenge; could you add harder problems?"
"Go faster"	"We have mocks in six weeks; could we plan past papers?”

When to give feedback

After the first few lessons, after school reports or tests, and before exam seasons are natural times. Regular, short updates work better than saving everything for one big conversation.

Listening to the tutor

Feedback works both ways. Tutors often notice things parents don’t, such as a gap from earlier years or a habit that costs marks. Ask what they recommend and what your child can do between lessons. Agreeing a shared plan keeps everyone working towards the same goal, and it helps your child see that adults are on their side.

When feedback isn’t enough

If concerns continue after you’ve discussed them and allowed a few more lessons, it may be time to switch. See can you switch tutors. Switching isn’t a failure; matching matters.

Involving your child

Older students can give feedback themselves. Encourage them to tell the tutor what helps and what they’d like more of, which builds independence and ownership.

How to tell feedback worked

• lessons change in the way you asked;
• your child is more engaged;
• progress improves.

How parents can help

• keep communication regular and friendly;
• share information promptly;
• praise what’s working.

Questions to ask a tutor

1. What are you focusing on this month?
2. What should my child practise at home?
3. How will we know it’s working?

A simple feedback rhythm

When	What
After lesson 3	First check-in
Monthly	Short update
After reports	Plan adjustments
Before exams	Revision plan

Feedback in online tutoring

Online platforms make feedback easy: messages, lesson summaries and progress notes keep everyone informed. Tutopiya’s AI lesson analysis gives a written summary after each lesson, which helps parents see what was covered.

Feedback in the first few lessons

The first few lessons are the best time to share how things are going, because tutor and student are still getting to know each other. If explanations are too fast, the pace too slow or the focus not quite right, early feedback lets the tutor adjust before habits form. Most tutors appreciate this and will ask for it. A short message after lesson two or three is usually enough.

Tip: keep a short note of questions or observations during the week so you have specific points ready when you talk to the tutor.

Positive feedback matters too

Telling a tutor what’s working, such as “she loved the way you explained fractions”, helps them keep doing it. Tutors adjust based on both positive and constructive feedback, and positive comments strengthen the relationship. Students also benefit when they hear that parents and tutor are communicating well.

Feedback through the provider

If you prefer not to raise a concern directly with the tutor, contact the tutoring provider. A good provider will handle it sensitively and, if needed, help you find a better match.

Tip: end every feedback conversation by agreeing one change and a date to review it.

Clear, friendly communication makes tutoring work better.

How Tutopiya tutoring works

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online tutoring.

• A tutor matched to your child’s subject, level and exam board.
• A free first trial lesson, with no card needed.
• From 4 hours a month per subject. Each tutor sets their own rate, shown before booking.
• AI lesson analysis gives a written summary, flashcards and quiz questions after each lesson.

See our online tuition page.

Common mistakes

• Vague feedback → be specific.
• Waiting too long → speak early.
• Only criticism → note what works.
• Not involving your child → ask them.

Talk to us

For related guides, see questions to ask after a trial tutoring lesson and tutor progress reports: what to expect. Or contact our team. If you already study with Tutopiya, log in and raise a ticket from your portal dashboard by clicking the + icon in the bottom-right corner.

Summary: give tutors specific, outcome-focused feedback, share school information and agree a review point.

Frequently asked questions

Is it OK to give feedback to a tutor? +

Yes. Good tutors welcome feedback because it helps them tailor lessons. Clear, specific feedback usually leads to better results.

What should I share with the tutor? +

School reports, test results, your child's worries, upcoming exams and anything that seems to help or not help in lessons.

How do I raise a concern politely? +

Be specific, focus on outcomes and suggest what you'd like to change, for example more exam practice or slower explanations.

When should I consider switching tutors? +

If concerns continue after feedback and a few more lessons, or if your child is unhappy, switching can be the right choice.

How do I give feedback at Tutopiya? +

Talk to your tutor directly or contact our team. Existing students can raise a ticket from the portal dashboard. The first trial lesson is free with no card required.

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