Why do so many children say “I hate maths” — and what can parents actually do to help?

In this episode of Parents’ Guide to Tutoring, host Julia Silver is joined by award-winning maths tutor Helen Osmond, founder of Osmond Education and former Secondary Tutor of the Year at the National Tutoring Awards. Together, they unpack why maths anxiety is so common, how gaps in understanding quietly grow over time, and why confidence — not ability — is often the real issue.

Helen explains how maths learning builds in layers, what happens when key foundations are missed, and why many capable students get stuck in the middle — not failing, but never quite feeling secure. The conversation covers GCSE maths pathways clearly and accessibly, including foundation vs higher tier papers, retakes, and why passing maths first time matters so much for a young person’s future options.

This episode is particularly helpful for parents who feel unsure how maths “works” now, worry they might be passing on their own anxiety, or are trying to decide whether tutoring is necessary. Helen also shares practical insights into what effective maths tutoring looks like, how specialist tutors diagnose gaps quickly, and why online tutoring can be just as powerful as in-person support when done well.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why children develop maths anxiety — and how it builds over time

• What GCSE maths grades really mean for further education and careers

• How tutors identify and fix hidden gaps in understanding

• Why confidence, practice and feedback matter more than “natural ability”

• How parents can support maths learning without adding pressure

• What high-quality online maths tutoring actually involves

Warm, reassuring and packed with practical examples, this episode helps parents understand maths tutoring from the inside — and feel more confident supporting their child’s learning journey, whatever stage they’re at.

Find Certified, Safe, Skilled and Supported tutors, like Helen, on the free qt.directory

How do you know if tutoring is really working for your child — and how do you find the right tutor in the first place?

In this episode of Parents’ Guide to Tutoring, host Julia Silver is joined by Georgina Green, founder of Green Tutors and a passionate STEM specialist, to explore what effective tutoring actually looks like beyond grades and exam results.

Georgina shares her honest, refreshing perspective on why tutor–student fit matters more than qualifications alone, how personality, learning style and emotional safety shape progress, and why no tutor should ever promise results they can’t control. Together, Julia and Georgina unpack what parents should look for when choosing a tutor, how good tutoring relationships develop over time, and what to do if a match doesn’t feel quite right.

This conversation is especially valuable for parents of secondary-age children, those navigating exam pressure, and families supporting young people with anxiety, school refusal, SEN or alternative pathways. Georgina also discusses supporting students beyond the curriculum — including career exploration, apprenticeships, and non-traditional routes to success — and why comparing your child’s journey to others can do more harm than good.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to recognise when tutoring is genuinely working

• Why the “right fit” between tutor and student is crucial

• What parents should expect in terms of communication and feedback

• Why grade guarantees are a red flag

• How tutors can support confidence, motivation and long-term purpose — not just exams

• Why there’s more than one way for a child to be successful and happy

A reassuring, insightful episode for parents who want to make thoughtful, informed decisions about tutoring — and feel confident they’re doing the right thing for their child.

Find Certified Safe, Skilled and Supported Tutors on our QT.directory

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of The Parents’ Guide to Tutoring, host Julia Silva—Qualified Tutor founder, school leader, and mum of five—dives into the powerful connection between executive functioning and effective tutoring.

Julia sits down with a thoughtful parent from Singapore who shares her journey of finding the right support for her daughter—not because she was struggling, but because she wanted to nurture confidence, curiosity, and independence. What started as a simple search for a maths tutor became something much deeper: a lesson in how tutoring can develop the skills children need for life, not just for exams.

Together, they explore:

• 💡 How executive functioning skills—like planning, motivation, and self-regulation—set children up for success far beyond the classroom.

• 💻 The surprising benefits (and initial doubts) of online tutoring, and how to make virtual learning personal, structured, and engaging.

• 🧭 Why building a partnership between tutor, parent, and child can transform lessons into moments of real growth.

• ❤️ The power of shifting from a “deficit” mindset (“What’s my child struggling with?”) to a strengths-based approach (“What lights my child up?”).

  
  

• From hybrid learning plans that keep kids off screens, to simple weekly planners that build accountability, this episode shows how thoughtful tutoring can reignite a love of learning—and confidence in life itself.

  If you’re a parent wondering:

  • How can I help my child stay motivated and organised?

  • What kind of tutoring really makes a difference?

  • How can I find a tutor who nurtures confidence as well as skills?

  …then this conversation will give you hope, clarity, and practical inspiration.

  🎧 Listen now to “Supporting Executive Functioning”—and discover how the right tutor can help your child take ownership of their learning, find joy in discovery, and thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

  
  

  Find safe, skilled & certified tutors on our free tutor directory https://www.qualifiedtutor.directory/

In the very first episode of The Parents’ Guide to Tutoring, host Julia Silver—school leader, founder of the Qualified Tutor Directory, and mum of five—invites listeners into the world of modern tutoring with honesty, warmth, and hard-won wisdom.

Julia opens up about her own family’s journey through education: five very different children, five very different stories—and the tutors who helped each of them rediscover confidence, purpose, and joy in learning. From GCSEs and A levels to the challenges of anxiety, exclusion, and exam pressure, Julia shares how the right tutor at the right time can transform not only grades, but lives.

In this inspiring introduction, you’ll learn:

• 🎯 Why tutoring is powerful—but unregulated, and what every parent should know before hiring a tutor.

• 💬 How to find safe, skilled, and trusted tutors who care about your child as a whole person.

• 🧠 The difference between academic tutoring and mentoring, and why executive functioning, motivation, and structure matter more than ever.

• 🧩 How to choose a tutor who aligns with your family’s values and learning philosophy—not just your child’s curriculum.

• 💖 The importance of partnership between parent, child, and tutor—because tutoring works best when everyone’s pulling in the same direction.

• Julia also introduces her innovative approach to “academic mentoring”, a holistic model that blends study skills, confidence coaching, and emotional well-being. From weekly planners to guided study sessions, she shows how small, structured habits can help children fall back in love with learning—and prepare for lifelong success.

  If you’re a parent asking yourself:

  • How do I find a tutor I can trust?

  • What kind of tutoring really helps my child thrive?

  • When should I start—or stop—getting extra support?

  …then this episode is your essential starting point.

  🎧 Listen to Episode 1: “An Introduction to the Parents’ Guide to Tutoring” and discover how thoughtful, intentional tutoring can empower your child to learn with confidence, curiosity, and independence.

  Find safe, skilled & certified tutors on our free tutor directory, where you can segment by age, skills, locations and subjects with ease.