Local private tutor for school subjects (home visits)

Teach one pupil at a time in their home or yours, helping with a subject you know well.

Startup cost£50 to £500

Monthly revenue£300 to £2.5k

Time needed4+ h/week

First incomeWeeks

£50-500
Side hustle
Out and about

Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.

Official data

41,442 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years

SIC 85600 “Educational support services”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.

What it is

One-to-one tutoring in school subjects such as maths, English, science or languages, usually weekly, at the pupil's home, your home or a local library.

Your first three steps

Pick your subjects and age groups, then check local tutors' hourly rates
Get an enhanced DBS check and a simple lesson plan and resources pack
Tell local parents through school groups, community pages and word of mouth

Who pays

Parents and carers of primary and secondary pupils, plus some adult learners and students.

How it makes money

Hourly rate per session, often booked weekly. Regular pupils and exam-season demand give steady bookings.

Skills that help

Strong knowledge of your subject and the curriculum
Patience and clear explanation
Reliable and good at communicating with parents

Watch out for

Enhanced DBS check: many parents expect one, check which type you can apply for as a self-employed person
Public liability insurance if you teach at pupils' homes or your own
Register as a sole trader with HMRC and keep records of income
Safeguarding: think about who is present, and consider meeting in a shared space
Demand is seasonal, with busy periods before exams and quieter school holidays

Deep research report · UK

Everything you need to start: local private tutor for school subjects

Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

Startup costs with real prices
Licences, registration and rules
Pricing: what others charge
Break-even example
Finding your first customers
30-day launch plan
Risks and how to reduce them

Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start as a private tutor in the UK?

Startup costs are typically around £50 to £500, depending on your resources, any checks and insurance you choose, and how you find pupils. These are estimates, so list what you need before you begin.

How much can a home-visit private tutor earn?

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,500, depending on how many pupils you teach and how many hours you work. The estimates start from about 4 hours a week. Demand is seasonal, with busy periods before exams and quieter school holidays.

Do I need a DBS check or insurance to tutor at pupils' homes?

These are things to check. Many parents expect an enhanced DBS check, so see which type you can apply for as a self-employed person. Also check public liability insurance, sole trader registration with HMRC, and safeguarding, such as meeting in a shared space.