Best Online GCSE Maths Tutors in the UK (2026 Guide)
Finding a quality online GCSE Maths tutor shouldn't feel like gambling. But when you're faced with thousands of profiles across multiple platforms, wildly varying qualifications, and prices from £20 to £80 per hour, how do you know which tutors actually deliver results?
I'm Aadam, and I've been tutoring GCSE Maths students online for over five years at SHLC. I know this market inside out, from the platforms claiming "94% of tutors hold advanced degrees" to the reality of what actually makes online tutoring effective.
In this comprehensive 2026 guide, I'm breaking down the best online GCSE Maths tutoring options in the UK, helping you choose quality support that genuinely improves grades without wasting money on impressive profiles that don't deliver.
Why Online Tutoring Works (When Done Right)
The Education Endowment Foundation found that online tutoring is as effective as face to face tutoring in terms of engagement and retention rates, sometimes even more so. But only when certain conditions are met.
What makes online tutoring effective:
- Qualified teachers, not just graduates who were good at maths
- One to one attention, not pre recorded videos
- Interactive whiteboards mimicking physical teaching
- Curriculum aligned content matching exam boards
- Regular sessions building knowledge systematically
- Progress tracking showing measurable improvements
What doesn't work:
- AI marking systems (see my Medly AI review)
- Generic content not matching your exam board
- University students with no teaching training
- Sporadic sessions without structured progression
Remember: each grade improvement is worth around £23,000 in lifetime earnings. Choosing the right online tutor directly affects your child's future opportunities and financial security.
Option 1: SHLC Online Tutoring (My Recommendation)
What I offer: I'm a qualified teacher specialising in GCSE Maths, working with students across Foundation and Higher tiers from bottom set struggling towards grade 4 through to ambitious students targeting grade 9.
My online approach:
Initial diagnostic assessment via video call identifies exactly where your child stands across all GCSE topics, revealing specific gaps and strengths.
Personalised programme tailored to their exam board (AQA, Edexcel, OCR), tier (Foundation/Higher) and target grade.
Interactive sessions using digital whiteboard technology that replicates face to face teaching more effectively than video alone.
Complete resources including past papers with worked solutions, topic specific practice, and ongoing homework between sessions.
Progress tracking using my digital revision planner shows measurable improvements session by session.
Professional mock marking through my marking service provides detailed feedback between sessions.
Why choose SHLC:
- Qualified teacher (QTS) with specialist GCSE expertise across all exam boards
- Five years proven track record across all grade targets
- Flexible online scheduling fitting around your family
- One to one attention every session, never group classes
- Clear progress tracking and regular parent updates
- Complete resource library included
Cost: Contact for current rates, competitive for qualified teacher expertise
Book a free consultation at SHLC to discuss your child's specific needs.
Option 2: MyTutor (Rigorous Screening, Young Tutors)
Website: mytutor.co.uk
What they offer: Platform connecting students with university students and recent graduates from top UK universities. Only 1 in 8 applicants accepted after interview process.
Tutor profiles: Tutors are typically 18-25, currently studying or recently graduated from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, and other Russell Group institutions.
Why students like them: Tutors are closer in age, making explanations feel more relatable. They remember being GCSE students recently, which helps them empathise with current struggles.
Pricing: Starting from £26/hour at GCSE level, most charge £26-£40 per hour depending on experience.
Platform features:
- Free video meeting before booking
- Integrated online lesson space
- Pay as you go, skip or cancel anytime
- Average 4.6 star rating
- Searchable by specific criteria (price, experience, availability)
Important considerations: Most MyTutor tutors aren't qualified teachers. They're bright students who did well in their GCSEs, but don't have professional teaching qualifications or classroom experience.
For some students this works brilliantly. For others, particularly those with significant gaps or learning difficulties, qualified teacher expertise makes crucial difference.
Best for: Confident students needing exam technique refinement and strategic support, not fundamental gap filling.
Option 3: Tutorful (Quality Screening, Higher Standards)
Website: tutorful.co.uk
What they offer: Platform with more rigorous tutor selection than directories. 94% of tutors hold advanced degrees (Master's or PhD), all have 2+ years experience, all fully DBS checked.
Their track record: 90% of students improve by at least one grade, with many seeing two grade improvement in as little as 8 hours according to their statistics.
Pricing: £25-£60 per hour depending on tutor qualifications and experience.
Platform features:
- Free 15 minute chat before committing
- Guaranteed first lesson
- Only 1 in 8 applicants accepted
- Average 4.6 star rating from 4,100+ reviews
- Pay only after your lesson
- Integrated scheduling and payment system
Quality indicators: Tutorful emphasises tutor selection more than platforms like First Tutors or Tutor Hunt. You're more likely to find qualified teachers here than on general directories.
Best for: Families wanting pre vetted quality without needing to verify qualifications themselves, willing to pay mid to upper pricing for higher standards.
Option 4: First Tutors (Largest Selection, Requires Vetting)
Website: firsttutors.com
What they offer: Massive directory of tutors with varying qualifications. Some are qualified teachers with decades of experience, others are university students in their first year of tutoring.
Why it's popular: Sheer volume of choice. Thousands of profiles means you can filter by specific criteria, location (for face to face or local online preference), price, and availability.
Pricing: £20-£50 per hour for GCSE level, depending wildly on qualifications and experience.
Critical limitation: First Tutors is a directory service, not a tutoring agency. They don't rigorously vet tutors beyond basic checks. You must verify:
- Teaching qualifications (request certificates)
- DBS checks (request current certificate)
- Actual GCSE success rates (ask for specifics with evidence)
- References from recent parents
How to use safely: Interview at least 3-5 tutors before deciding. Use my guide on finding the right tutor for questions to ask.
Best for: Parents comfortable vetting tutors themselves, seeking specific characteristics (e.g., female tutor, evening availability, specific exam board expertise).
Option 5: Sherpa (From £20/Hour, Variable Quality)
Website: sherpa-online.com
What they offer: Platform connecting students with tutors starting from £20/hour. Mix of qualified teachers, university students, and enthusiasts with varying levels of experience.
Tutor profiles range from:
- Fully qualified teachers with 28 years classroom experience
- Current university students studying relevant subjects
- Recent graduates beginning tutoring careers
- Career changers with subject knowledge but no teaching background
Platform features:
- Free introduction session
- Schedule and pay online
- Starting from £20/hour
- Qualified teachers typically £30+/hour
- Examiners typically £35+/hour
Why it appeals: Lower starting price point makes it accessible for budget conscious families. Some excellent qualified teachers are listed here at reasonable rates.
Why caution needed: Quality varies dramatically. A £20/hour university student might be brilliant or ineffective. You're responsible for thorough vetting.
Best for: Budget conscious families willing to carefully interview tutors, or families who've found specific tutor through recommendation.
Option 6: The GCSE Maths Tutor (YouTube Fame, Limited Availability)
Website: thegcsemathstutor.co.uk
Who they are: YouTube channel creator with over 20 million views, currently a Head of Maths with Progress 8 score of 1.48 (students average 1.48 grades higher than with other teachers).
What they offer: TGMT Hub online platform with video content, practice materials and limited one to one tutoring slots.
Their proven results: 100% success rate helping students pass GCSE Maths and achieve higher than predicted grades according to their website.
Limitation: Very high demand means limited availability. Their YouTube channel is excellent free resource, but actual tutoring slots fill quickly.
Best for: Students who learn well from their teaching style (watch YouTube videos first to check), families wanting recognised expert if available.
Option 7: Third Space Learning (Schools Focus, AI Integration)
Website: thirdspacelearning.com
What they offer: Platform primarily serving schools with curriculum aligned maths tutoring, recently integrated AI tutoring called Skye.
Their approach: Teacher written curriculum, evidence based lesson design using "I do, we do, you do" methodology. All tutors use consistent pedagogy.
Track record: Supported over 4,100 UK schools since 2013. Established reputation for quality resources used by millions of UK teachers and students.
Important note: Primarily designed for schools purchasing packages, not individual parents seeking one to one tutoring. AI tutoring component (Skye) only available to schools, not individual families.
Best for: Schools seeking scalable intervention, not individual families seeking private tutoring.
What to Avoid: Red Flags
Regardless of which platform you use, avoid tutors who:
Make unrealistic promises: "Guaranteed grade 9" or "Move from grade 3 to grade 7 in 8 weeks" are impossible to promise.
Can't explain methodology: Quality tutors articulate clear teaching approaches, how they diagnose gaps, and how they track progress.
Won't show qualifications: Request teaching certificates, degree certificates, DBS checks. Legitimate tutors provide these readily.
Have vague or no reviews: Established tutors have multiple specific reviews mentioning grade improvements, subject improvements, and teaching style.
Use high pressure tactics: "Only 2 slots left this month" might be true, but feels like desperation rather than confidence.
Don't offer trial session: Confident, quality tutors offer at least one trial session so families can assess fit before committing.
Cost Comparison Across Platforms
| Platform | Price Range (Hourly) | Annual Cost (40 sessions) | Quality Control | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHLC | Competitive rates | Contact for quote | Qualified teacher, proven track record | Serious grade improvement |
| MyTutor | £26-£40 | £1,040-£1,600 | Selective (1 in 8), young graduates | Confident students, technique focus |
| Tutorful | £25-£60 | £1,000-£2,400 | Rigorous (1 in 8), advanced degrees | Pre-vetted quality seekers |
| First Tutors | £20-£50 | £800-£2,000 | Self-vetting required | Wide selection, budget options |
| Sherpa | £20-£70 | £800-£2,800 | Basic checks, variable | Budget conscious or specific needs |
| TGMT | Varies | Varies | YouTube proven, limited slots | Fans of teaching style |
Questions to Ask Any Online Tutor
Before booking beyond a trial session, verify:
- What teaching qualifications do you hold? (QTS is gold standard)
- How many years specifically tutoring GCSE Maths online?
- Which exam boards do you specialise in? (AQA, Edexcel, OCR)
- What's your typical grade improvement for students at my child's current level?
- How do you track progress and report to parents?
- What technology do you use for online lessons? (Interactive whiteboard? Screen share only?)
- What happens if technical issues disrupt sessions?
- Are resources included or additional cost?
- Can you provide references from recent GCSE students?
- What's your approach to Foundation vs Higher tier students?
Quality tutors answer confidently with specific examples.
Making Online Tutoring Work: Parent's Role
Set up proper environment: Your child needs quiet space, reliable internet, working webcam/microphone, and ideally second screen or tablet for materials whilst tutor shares screen.
Be consistent with scheduling: Weekly sessions at same time build momentum. Sporadic sessions waste time re covering previous material.
Ensure homework completion: Online tutoring works best when practice happens between sessions. If tutor sets homework and your child doesn't do it, you're wasting money.
Monitor progress measurably: Use my digital revision planner or similar tool tracking scores over time. Within 6-8 weeks you should see measurable improvement.
Get periodic expert feedback: Even with weekly tutoring, use my mock exam marking service for additional expert analysis of practice papers.
When to Start Online Tutoring
For bottom set Foundation students (currently grade 1-3): Start at least 12 months before exams. These students have most ground to cover.
For mid Foundation students (currently grade 3-4): Start 9-12 months before exams. Time needed building exam confidence alongside content.
For Higher tier students (currently grade 4-6): Start 6-9 months before exams for solid improvement, 12 months if targeting grade 8-9.
For last minute intervention: Starting 3 months before exams can still help, but expect limited grade movement. Better than nothing, but far from ideal.
See my complete guide on student types for detailed recommendations.
My Recommendation for Most Families
For serious grade improvement: Start with SHLC. Qualified teacher expertise, proven systematic approach, complete resources. Best return on investment for families targeting specific grade goals.
For confident students needing technique: MyTutor works well. Young tutors who remember being GCSE students, relatable teaching style, solid platform features.
For quality without vetting hassle: Tutorful provides pre screened tutors with advanced qualifications, taking guesswork out of selection.
For budget conscious families: Use quality free resources from my resource guide plus periodic professional feedback through marking service, adding tutoring for final 3-6 months before exams.
The Bottom Line
Online GCSE Maths tutoring works brilliantly when you choose qualified tutors, maintain consistent sessions, and track progress measurably.
What matters most isn't the platform, it's:
- Tutor qualifications (QTS qualified teachers deliver best results)
- Specific GCSE experience across all exam boards
- Clear methodology and progress tracking systems
- Interactive teaching, not passive video watching
- Starting early enough for realistic grade movement
Platforms are tools for connecting with tutors. The tutor's actual expertise determines whether your child's grades improve.
Don't be seduced by slick marketing, cheap prices, or impressive profiles. Verify qualifications, check references, try trial sessions, and demand measurable progress within 6-8 weeks.
Your child's GCSE results affect university options, career paths, and lifetime earnings. Choose online support that delivers genuine results, not just convenient scheduling.
Ready to start with proven online GCSE Maths support? Book a free consultation with SHLC to discuss your child's specific needs and create a strategic plan for grade improvement.
Need expert online GCSE Maths tutoring from a qualified teacher? Get in touch with SHLC for systematic support, proven strategies, and measurable results.