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Become a better tutor · Module 1: Think like a consultant

Agree the outcome before you teach a single topic

Most disappointment in tutoring comes from expectations nobody said out loud. Ten minutes at the start saves weeks of drift.

Written by the Brainhub Editorial Team Cites published research Updated 13 Oct 2026 6 min read

The course unlocks one lesson at a time. You can read this now, but it only counts once you’ve finished Tutor, not teacher.

Key takeaways

1. Why the first conversation matters

In consulting, the agreement at the start is where projects are won or lost. Block’s advice is to make both sides’ wants explicit: what the client wants from you, and what you need from them to deliver it. Unspoken expectations come back later as complaints.[1]

In tutoring, the unspoken version sounds like this. The parent expects a grade jump by Christmas. The student expects an hour of help with homework. The tutor expects to fix algebra. Everyone is disappointed, for different reasons.

2. The one-page agreement

After the assessment, write one page and share it with the family. It doesn’t need to be formal. It needs to be specific.

Part
Example
Where they are now
Grade 4 on the Paper 2 mock; loses most marks on multi-step problems
Target
Secure grade 5 on a full past paper by the February mock
Plan
1 hour a week for 10 weeks: algebra and ratio first, then exam questions
What I’ll do
Lesson note after every session; progress check every 4 weeks
What I need
20 minutes of practice between lessons; phone out of the room in lessons
Review date
Week 5 and week 10

3. Wants and offers

Ask first, then offer. “What would make this worth it for you?” often gets a different answer from the parent and the student. Write both down. Then say plainly what you need from them. Block’s point is that saying your needs early is not pushy. It is what makes the result possible.[1]

If the target is unrealistic, say so now, kindly and with a reason: “Two grades in four weeks would be unusual. Here’s what I think we can do, and what would make more possible.”

Ask the parent

What would make you feel this has worked?

Ask the student

What do you want to be able to do that you can’t yet?

Say what you need

Practice between lessons, attendance, and honest answers when it isn’t making sense.

4. Shape the block the way the evidence suggests

The Education Endowment Foundation’s review of one-to-one tuition finds it adds about five months’ progress on average. It works best as short, regular sessions over a set period, and when the tutoring is linked to what the pupil is learning in class.[2]

So build the plan around their school work: ask for the scheme of work, recent tests and the exam board. A tutor who teaches next week’s school topic a few days early often gets a bigger confidence boost than one who works in isolation.

Try this: End every first lesson by reading the target back: “So we’re aiming for a secure grade 5 by the February mock. Does that sound right?” A yes now is worth a lot later.

Try it now

Test yourself on this page

Answer in your head first, then check.

  1. 1. What are the six parts of the one-page agreement?

  2. 2. According to the EEF, what pattern of tuition works best?

Your next steps

  • Write a one-page agreement for your newest student.
  • Ask each family the two “wants” questions this week.
  • Put a review date in your calendar for every student.

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Sources

  1. Block, P. (2011). Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used (3rd edition). San Francisco: Pfeiffer (Wiley). designedlearning.com
  2. Education Endowment Foundation. Teaching and Learning Toolkit: One to one tuition. educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/teaching-learning-toolkit/one-to-one-tuition

This lesson is general professional guidance for tutors. Always follow Brainhub’s safeguarding policy and use your own professional judgement.