Bedford, UK 
When parents contact me looking for an online tutor, they often ask about qualifications, experience and academic results.
Those things are important, of course.
However, if I could recommend just one thing that parents should look for, it would be flexibility.
Not flexibility in the sense of cancelling lessons at the last minute or constantly changing plans. I mean the ability to adapt to a child’s individual circumstances, learning style and educational journey.
Over the years, I’ve worked with children from many different countries and educational backgrounds. Although every student has been unique, one thing has become very clear: children learn best when the adults supporting them are willing to adapt.
One of the greatest advantages of online tuition is that geography doesn’t really matter. From my little corner of Bedfordshire, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with children in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Thailand and many other parts of the world. Whilst mathematics may still be mathematics and English may still be English, every child’s educational experience is slightly different.
One area where flexibility has been particularly important is school holidays.
When I first began working with international students, I quickly realised that not everyone follows the same academic calendar. Whilst children in the UK might be enjoying their summer holidays, some of my students overseas are preparing to return to school. Equally, there have been times when UK schools have been in full swing whilst students in Saudi Arabia or the UAE have been enjoying a well-earned break.
Rather than seeing this as a challenge, I’ve always viewed it as an opportunity.
The quieter periods often allow us to focus on confidence-building, revisit areas of learning that need strengthening or simply learn at a pace that isn’t always possible during a busy school term. Some of my most productive lessons have taken place when a child has been on holiday and finally had the mental space to breathe, reflect and enjoy learning again.
Flexibility is equally important when it comes to different curricula.
Not every child follows the British Curriculum. Over the years, I’ve supported students studying within British international schools, American curricula and a variety of international programmes. I’ve worked with children in Saudi Arabia preparing for assessments that look quite different from those taken by students in Bedford. I’ve taught learners in the UAE whose schools approach mathematics in a slightly different way. I’ve also worked with students in Thailand whose educational experiences have been shaped by an entirely different cultural and academic environment.
At first glance, these differences might seem significant.
In reality, good teaching is often about identifying the skills which sit beneath the curriculum. Whether a child is learning persuasive writing in Dubai, developing reading comprehension skills in Riyadh or strengthening mathematical reasoning in Bangkok, the core goal remains the same: helping them become confident, capable learners.
This is where flexibility becomes so valuable.
A tutor who rigidly follows one method or one curriculum may struggle when working with international learners. A flexible tutor, however, can adapt resources, explanations and teaching approaches to suit the child sitting in front of them.
As someone with ADHD, I think this is one of the reasons I value flexibility so highly. My own brain has never enjoyed being squeezed into neat little boxes. Looking back, the teachers who helped me most were rarely the ones who insisted there was only one way to do something. They were the people who recognised that different minds often need different routes to reach the same destination.
The same principle applies to tutoring.
Qualifications matter. Experience matters. Subject knowledge matters.
But if I were choosing an online tutor for a child, I would look for someone who is willing to adapt, willing to listen and willing to see the individual behind the curriculum.
Because when a tutor is flexible enough to meet a child where they are, learning often becomes far more successful than anyone imagined possible.
If you’re considering online tuition, our worldwide lessons offer one-to-one support for children aged 5 to 16 in an engaging, inspiring and encouraging learning environment. Each lesson is tailored to your child’s needs, helping them develop confidence, build key skills, and achieve their potential from the comfort of your home.
To find out more, please click on the link below:
Bel 😊
