Home-based maths tutor

Parents of school-age children, and older students paying for themselves.

Hourly rate per pupil, or a lower per-head rate for small groups. Regular weekly sessions give steady income, with extra exam-season demand.

• Strong maths knowledge at the level you teach
• Patience and clear explanations
• Organising a timetable and keeping in touch with parents

• Check whether you need permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council to run lessons from home
• Consider an enhanced DBS check, as many parents expect one when you teach children
• Safeguarding: think about having a parent nearby or an open-door policy for younger pupils
• Check whether public liability insurance is worth having for visitors to your home
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC and keep records of your income

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £50 to £500, depending on the teaching materials and optional extras you choose, such as an enhanced DBS check or insurance. It is one of the lower-cost ways to start teaching.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on how many pupils you teach and the hours you work. Lessons are mostly after school and at weekends, and the estimates assume at least about five hours a week.

Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council must agree to lessons at home, and consider an enhanced DBS check, as many parents expect one. Think about safeguarding, such as having a parent nearby, and whether public liability insurance is worth having.