What feedback should I be getting from my child's tutor?
I (George Chantry) voice dictated every one of these articles to give my honest, transparent view on economics A-Level tutoring to answer parent questions, having worked in the tutoring industry for nine years. Please WhatsApp me if you want to discuss anything in the articles further or have any further questions.
Parents pay a lot for tutoring. They deserve to know exactly what's happening. Here's my feedback system.
Let me ask you a question: do you know what your child's tutor is actually doing each session? You're investing significant money. But if you don't get clear, regular feedback, how do you know it's working? How do you know your money is being well spent?
What great feedback looks like
After each lesson or on a monthly basis, you should receive a clear letter or summary. It should include specific details: what was taught, what was practised, and what improved. There should be an honest assessment of remaining gaps — not just "your child is doing well" — but real, specific information. And it should lay out the next steps and priorities for upcoming sessions.
Why this matters so much
First, parents can see exactly where their investment is going. Second, students feel accountable — when they know someone is tracking their progress and reporting it, they work harder. Third, it builds trust between the tutor and the family. And fourth, problems get caught early before they become expensive. If something isn't working, you want to know now, not three months from now.
Research on formative assessment (Black & Wiliam, 1998) found that this kind of continuous checking and reporting of where a student actually stands produces some of the largest measured learning gains.
"Gaps in knowledge are spotted and dealt with quickly. As parents, we receive regular detailed updates on progress - something I personally find extremely useful given that feedback from teens is a rare event in our home."
Sheetal, parent
What I include in every report
Here's what I include in every report I send to parents. The topics we covered and how the student performed on each one. Specific strengths I've observed — because it's important to recognise what's going well, not just what needs work. Areas needing further attention, with clear action items — not vague suggestions, but concrete next steps. And recommendations for independent study between sessions, so the student can keep building momentum even when we're not meeting.
"George provides attentive feedback on progress with a detailed roadmap which is very helpful for parents to follow the process!"
Altina, parent
How I put the feedback together
I dictate exactly what I've been doing with the student, what I've been focusing on, and what I'm prioritising. The feedback is a letter for the parent about what we're delivering for them.
Clients are paying a lot of money; I need to give them feedback. I want to give them the best possible feedback. Putting all the data together in a bespoke report is what clients love.
The result
When parents are kept properly informed, they can support their child's learning at home. They see the value of every session. And they can make informed decisions about continuing.
You should never have to wonder what you're paying for.
Have a question about your child’s A-Level Economics? Message me — I reply to every one personally.
WhatsApp George — free initial call