After the paid trial, you and your child decide whether to continue, and the conversation happens directly with the teacher. Fees beyond the trial, the schedule and what to work on are all arranged between them.
Going in with a few clear questions makes that conversation short and useful. This page sets out what to bring and what to ask.
What should you bring to the conversation?
Bring what you saw, not a conclusion. Three short notes are enough.
- What your child said after the lesson. Use their own words, for example “I finally saw why the method works” or “I was lost in the second half”.
- What you wanted from the trial. Look back at the goal you set before the class. The post-trial reflection guide has a checklist for this.
- The date that matters. A school exam, a mock or the Cambridge session your child is entered for.
If you did not observe anything, write “unknown”. That is not a poor mark for the teacher. It simply means the question is still open.
What should you ask about continuing?
Ask plainly and write the answers down.
- What did you notice about how my child works?
- What would you work on in the next few lessons, and in what order?
- What would a sensible schedule look like before the exam date?
- What are the fees, and how are they paid?
- How do we change or stop if the arrangement does not suit us?
Fees, schedules and support are confirmed directly with the teacher. Do not assume anything that was not said. If something is unclear, ask for it in a WhatsApp message so there is a record.
How can a parent help without taking over?
Ask your child first what they would like you to do. Some want you to sit in. Others want to talk to the teacher alone for ten minutes and report back.
A useful split is that your child speaks about learning, and you speak about timetable, budget and exam dates. Your child knows whether the explanation made sense. You know what the family can manage.
What if the answer is “not yet” or “no”?
Both are fine. A trial is meant to show whether the teaching suits your child, and “not yet” often means the child wants time to try the ideas alone. You might revisit the comparison of learning needs before deciding.
If your child liked the lesson but the schedule does not work, say so to the teacher. Schedules are arranged directly, so there may be room to adjust.
What happens next if you continue?
You and the teacher agree the schedule, fees and first focus. Keep the first few weeks simple: one subject, one or two clear topics, and a review after a few lessons to check whether the approach is working.
Not sure where to start? See how the trial and what follows work and Cambridge IGCSE tuition for the subject your child is taking.