Looking for an online Maths tutor? Start with the qualification, the exact exam board and a recent piece of work that shows where you need help. ESPD lists Mathematics from 11+ and KS3 through GCSE and A-Level. This guide helps parents and students distinguish a knowledge gap from a problem with mathematical working, then prepare a focused enquiry about suitable support and current tutor availability.
Choose the right Maths route
- 11+: Start with the target school’s entrance requirements. Test content varies; do not assume that GCSE-style preparation fits an entrance test. Check the 11+ preparation guide.
- KS3: Describe the current school topic and the earlier skill that seems to be causing difficulty.
- GCSE: Include Foundation or Higher tier and the board. AQA 8300, for example, assesses number, algebra, ratio, geometry, probability and statistics; its tier requirements differ.
- A-Level: Specify Mathematics or Further Mathematics, the board and the relevant Pure, Mechanics or Statistics topic. Ask ESPD to confirm the particular support available.
Identify what is getting in the way
Practical recommendation: Use one attempted question to make the conversation specific. The following is an editorial planning tool, not an assessment of ability or a record of an ESPD lesson.
| What you notice | What to bring | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| You cannot start the question. | The full question and any diagram. | Which concept or representation should I identify first? |
| The approach looks right but the answer differs. | Every line of working, including units. | Where does the reasoning first change incorrectly? |
| You can follow an example but cannot solve a new one. | The example and your independent attempt. | Which feature tells me when this method applies? |
Use the mark scheme for the exact paper. Do not assume that a particular method-mark label or amount of credit applies to every board and question.
Prepare a focused tutor enquiry
- Ask your school for the board, qualification code and exam year if you do not know them.
- Select one topic and write a short learning goal, such as explaining why a method works.
- Describe the problem and the type of support you are considering using Contact. Avoid sending unnecessary personal or school-identifying information.
- Confirm tutor fit, availability, format and price before making arrangements. An enquiry is not a confirmed lesson.
The useful result is a clear starting point for a discussion, not a predicted grade. For a wider timetable, use GCSE revision planning or A-Level study planning.
Questions before enquiring
Which GCSE tier should I include?
State the tier confirmed by your school. For AQA 8300, Foundation covers grades 1–5 and Higher grades 4–9. A tutor enquiry should use the actual entry route, not assume a tier from a target grade.
Should I send only the final answer?
Describe the difficulty first. If ESPD later asks for a work sample, include the relevant working as well as the answer, with unnecessary personal details removed. This makes the point of difficulty easier to discuss.
Is Further Mathematics automatically included?
No availability is promised by this page. Identify the Further Mathematics specification and topic in your enquiry so ESPD can confirm whether a suitable tutor is available.
Your next step
Choose the correct route, keep the working from a real attempt, and ask for help with one clearly defined difficulty. Use the response from ESPD to confirm the practical details before arranging tuition.
Sources
Source check: 10 November 2026. Specifications can change; confirm the current requirements for your exam year. Planning examples on this page are editorial recommendations, not reported lesson outcomes.