A tutor and school teacher work best together when parents share school reports, topics and feedback with the tutor, and when the tutor uses school methods so lessons support, rather than compete with, classroom teaching. Tutoring is most effective when it pulls in the same direction as school. This guide explains what to share, how to communicate and how to avoid confusion.

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

Key takeaways

• Share reports, topics and feedback with the tutor.
• Ask the tutor to follow school methods.
• Parents usually pass information between both.
• Coordinated support works best.

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Why should tutors and teachers align?

When tutoring follows school topics and methods, students hear a consistent message and make faster progress; when they differ, students can become confused. Research summaries on one-to-one tuition, such as the Education Endowment Foundation’s toolkit, note the value of linking tuition to classroom teaching.

Aligned	Not aligned
Same topics, same order	Random topics
Same methods	Conflicting methods
Shared goals	Different priorities
Consistent feedback	Mixed messages

What to share with the tutor

Information	Why
School reports	Overall picture
Recent tests	Specific gaps
Teacher feedback	What to improve
Upcoming topics	Plan ahead
Assessment dates	Prepare in time

How to coordinate: step by step

1. Collect reports and recent tests.
2. Share them with the tutor before the first lesson.
3. Ask the teacher about upcoming topics if needed.
4. Ask the tutor to follow school methods.
5. Update the tutor after parent evenings.
6. Review progress each term.

Should you tell the teacher?

It’s often helpful to mention tutoring at a parent meeting, so teachers can share concerns and understand changes in your child’s work. You decide how much to share.

When methods differ

If the tutor and teacher teach different methods, ask the tutor to use the school’s method or to connect the two clearly. This is common in maths, for example with model drawing in Singapore primary schools.

What should a good tutor do?

What to check	Why it matters
Uses school information	Focused lessons
Follows school methods	Avoids confusion
Supports current topics	Reinforces learning
Shares progress	Keeps parents informed

Browse our Cambridge IGCSE tutors, IB Diploma tutors and Singapore Primary tutors.

What does an aligned lesson look like?

1. A check on this week’s school topics.
2. One weak area from teacher feedback.
3. Practice using the school’s method.
4. Preparation for an upcoming test.
5. A short update for parents.

Coursework and school rules

For coursework, follow the school’s rules on outside help. Tutors can teach skills but not do the work. See coursework tutoring: what tutors can do.

How to tell it’s working

• school and tutoring feel connected;
• better test results;
• less confusion about methods.

How parents can help

• keep a folder of reports and feedback;
• share updates after each parent meeting;
• ask your child what they’re learning at school.

Questions to ask a tutor

1. How will you use school information?
2. Will you follow the school’s methods?
3. How will you prepare my child for school tests?

A termly routine

When	Action
Start of term	Share topic list and goals
Mid-term	Share test results
After parent evening	Share teacher feedback
End of term	Review progress

When school and tutor disagree

If the tutor and teacher see different priorities, discuss it openly. Usually the school’s view of what’s coming up and the tutor’s view of gaps can be combined into one plan.

Using school reports well

School reports often include specific comments, such as “needs to show working” or “develop analysis”. Share these exact phrases with the tutor so lessons target them directly.

After a parent-teacher meeting

1. Note the main concerns.
2. Ask what’s coming next term.
3. Share both with the tutor.
4. Agree how progress will be checked.

Online lessons and school links

Online tutors can easily look at photos or scans of schoolwork during lessons, so share recent marked work. It helps the tutor see exactly what the teacher expects.

Homework overlap

Ask the tutor to help with school homework where useful, rather than adding separate tasks, so both point in the same direction.

Tip: a short email summary to the tutor after each parent evening keeps everyone aligned with little effort.

Consistency between home, school and tutor helps children feel secure.

How Tutopiya tutoring works

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online tutoring.

• Tutors plan lessons around the school information you share.
• 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 summary after each lesson that you can compare with school work.

See our online tuition page.

Common mistakes

• Not sharing reports → share before lesson one.
• Different methods → follow school methods.
• Random topics → follow school order.
• No updates → share after parent evenings.

Talk to us

For related advice, see the parent’s role in online tutoring. Or contact our team.

Summary: share school information with the tutor, ask them to follow school methods and topics, and keep both sides updated so support pulls in one direction.

Frequently asked questions

Should I tell my child's teacher about the tutor? +

It's often helpful. Teachers can share topics and concerns, and they'll understand if your child's work changes. You decide how much to share.

What should I share with the tutor? +

School reports, recent tests, teacher feedback, upcoming topics and assessment dates. This helps the tutor focus on what matters.

Do tutors contact schools directly? +

Usually not. Parents normally pass information between school and tutor, which keeps everyone's role clear.

What if the tutor and teacher teach a method differently? +

Ask the tutor to use the school's method where possible, or to explain how the two methods connect, so your child isn't confused.

Does Tutopiya work with school information? +

Yes. Tutopiya tutors use the reports, topics and feedback you share to plan lessons. The first trial lesson is free with no card required.

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