What is Spires Online Tutors Marketplace and how does it help students and tutors?

Spires is a marketplace that lets students find professional tutors and then schedule, pay for, and record online classes.

• Students can access a pool of tutors across a huge variety of subjects.
• Spires solves educational needs by providing highly qualified and vetted tutors at prices to suit any budget.

All tutors are required to:

• Pass an interview and show relevant experience.
• Demonstrate the ability to tutor online effectively.
• Have at least two years of classroom experience as a qualified teacher.
• Pass an enhanced DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service).
• Complete KYC identity verification checks.

For tutors, Spires provides a scalable stream of clients. Whether you wish to tutor part-time or full-time, you can begin tutoring on the platform, access tutor training resources, and work with tutors in our professional community. A freelance tutor’s main business need is clients, and Spires makes that possible.

How can expert online tutoring help you?

Spires Online Tutors:

• Assess your current level of knowledge.
• Create a personalised study plan tailored to your goals.
• Focus lessons on weaker areas while consolidating strengths.
• Build the confidence you need to excel.
• Keep you motivated and develop lasting, positive study habits.

This ensures real progress in your child’s learning or your own studies, whether for maths tutoring, science, or English language support.

Why choose Spires Online Tutors for private lessons?

At Spires, quality tuition comes first.

• Only 7%* of tutors who apply are accepted onto the platform, ensuring you learn from the very best.
• Most have extensive teaching experience at primary and secondary level, in universities, or in professional fields.
• All Spires tutors hold academic degrees from top UK universities, the USA, and worldwide — from undergraduate to postgraduate education including Master’s degrees and PhDs.
• Many also hold chartered or professional accreditation.

Other benefits include:

• Tutors set their own rates, so tuition is competitively priced.
• Every lesson uses the interactive BitPaper whiteboard.
• Recordings can be revisited at any time.
• Spires manages all scheduling, tuition payments, and admin for you.

Our impact is proven:

• Spires won Technology Tools for Tuition at the National Tutoring Awards in both 2024 and 2025.
• We also won Tuition Partner of the Year in 2024.

*Tutor application success rate, 2024/25.

How does Spires’ online private tuition work?

You can find a perfect tutor online in four simple steps:

1. Find a Tutor – Provide details about your subject and level. The more information the better.
2. Receive Bids – Tutors that can help bid on your job. As soon as the tutor has accepted, you can proceed.
3. Hire Tutors – Compare each tutor’s profile, experience, and hourly rate before making your decision.
4. Have Classes – Flexible scheduling; all tutoring sessions take place online and are recorded. Tuition payments are handled securely by Stripe.

Is having a tutor near me as essential as having the very best tutor online?

No. What matters is accessing the best tutor for your learning needs, not their location. With Spires’ global platform, students in London, Newcastle upon Tyne, or anywhere else can arrange tuition and learn from the comfort of their home.

Who will my tutor be?

You decide. With over 1,000 tutors available:

• Browse and meet our tutors through their online profiles.
• Review qualifications and relevant experience.
• Contact tutors and arrange a call to ensure the right fit.

The tutors we work with are carefully vetted to ensure they can offer support to the highest standards.

How many tutors are currently available to provide one-to-one classes?

• More than 1,000 tutors are available for your tutoring programme.
• They deliver tutoring in over 10,000 subjects, exams, and modules.
• Includes GCSE, A-level, and postgraduate education support.
• Expert tuition for university and college admission tests, including Oxbridge assessments (TSA, LNAT, MAT, STEP, BMAT, UCAT) as well as international exams such as GMAT and GRE.
• Tutors also provide preparation for chartered professional qualifications such as ACCA, CIMA, CFA, ICAEW, and CIPD.

What does a tutor do?

Tutors:

• Help you comprehend, evaluate, and retain coursework.
• Provide advice and guidance on revision and exam techniques.
• Assist with time management and study planning.
• Support you with maths tutoring, science, and English and Maths combined study.
• Deliver tuition tailored to your needs.

They will never do your work for you.

How much does a private online tutor charge per hour?

Rates vary depending on the level of study:

• School (Primary and Secondary): from £30 per hour.
• University (Undergraduate and Postgraduate): from £40 per hour.
• Professional, Chartered Qualifications, Admissions Tests: from £50 per hour.

The number of hours and tutor’s qualifications affect the final cost.

Have you got online tuition testimonials from your previous students?

Yes. Spires is highly rated on TrustPilot with:

• Over 1,000 reviews.
• An average score of 4.7 out of 5.

Our 2025 feedback survey reported:

• GCSE: 97% improved by an average of 2.4 grades; 78% achieved 7–9; 53% achieved 8–9.
• A-level: 93% improved; 61% achieved A or A*.
• Undergraduate: 93% improved; 40% secured a first-class.

The majority of our tutoring sessions deliver clear, measurable results.

How can I leave a review?

• Students and families are encouraged to leave a review after lessons.
• Reviews can be left directly on the platform once the tutor has accepted a booking.
• Spires will also send an email address link to TrustPilot or Google Reviews.

Do you teach my subject and level?

Yes. With more than 10,000 subjects on Spires, tutors cover a wide range of areas. Our pool of tutors includes specialists in:

• Primary and secondary school subjects, including English and Maths, science, and humanities.
• University-level modules in economics, mathematics, law, engineering, and more.
• Postgraduate education topics, including dissertation and thesis support.
• University and college admission preparation, from Oxbridge entrance exams to GMAT and GRE.
• Professional and chartered qualifications, such as accountancy (ACCA, ICAEW, CIMA), finance (CFA), HR (CIPD), and medical or legal exams.

If your exact subject isn’t listed, simply provide a detailed description in your request. Tutors who can help will get in touch as soon as the tutor sees it.

What curriculum do you cater for?

Spires covers the full range of academic and professional curricula in England, the United Kingdom and internationally, including:

• The National Curriculum: Key Stages 1–5, GCSE, A-levels, BTEC, National 5, Highers, Advanced Highers.
• International qualifications: International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), International A-level (IAL), International Baccalaureate (IB DP).
• American programmes: Advanced Placement (AP), SAT, ACT.
• UK school entrance exams: 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, Common Entrance.
• University admissions tests: Oxbridge admissions exams (TSA, LNAT, MAT, STEP, BMAT, UCAT) and other university and college admission assessments.
• Chartered and professional qualifications: ACCA, CIMA, CFA, ICAEW, CIPD, GMAT, GRE, and more.
• Postgraduate education support: Master’s and PhD-level tutoring, dissertation and thesis guidance, and research methodology.

This means Spires can provide quality tuition at every stage of your academic or professional journey — from children and young people at school through to advanced professional exams.

What exam boards do you cover?

Tutors can cover every exam board across both schools and professional examinations, including:

• UK exam boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, CIE, WJEC, EDUQAS.
• International boards: IB, Cambridge International, College Board (SAT/ACT), and AP.
• Professional awarding bodies: ACCA, CIMA, CFA Institute, ICAEW, CIPD.

If you’re preparing for something specific, add it in your request so Spires can match tutors to your exact needs.

Will my tutor be a current/former examiner?

Yes, many of our tutors are examiners. You can ask tutors directly, though they often charge premium rates.

How quickly can I find a tutor on Spires?

• Post a job with subject, level, availability, and requirements.
• Tutors bid within minutes.
• Our algorithm ranks tutors by results, retention, and feedback.
• The top three tutors are displayed first.

This makes the tutor matching process fast, fair, and effective.

What is the minimum age for tutoring?

• There is no minimum age for tutoring in general, or on the Spires platform.
• Students who are under 18 years of age must have authorisation from a parent or guardian before tutoring commences.
• Typically, the youngest students we see are around 5 years old.

Am I guaranteed a high grade?

No service can guarantee grades. But Spires’ 2025 results showed:

• 97% of GCSE students improved by 2.4 grades on average.
• 93% of A-level students improved; 61% achieved A/A*.
• 93% of undergraduates improved; 40% secured a first.

Our tutors work with you to give you the best chance of success.

How many sessions will I need?

The hours of tuition depend on subject, goals, and learning needs. Your tutor will advise on the number of hours after an initial assessment.

Where and when can I meet my tutor?

• All one to one tuition sessions take place online.
• Students can learn from the comfort of their home.
• Sessions are arranged directly with tutors based on availability.

The main point of contact is always your tutor.

Can I have a trial session?

No free trial lessons are offered. Tutors may provide a short 10–15 minute meeting to set expectations. If missed, this may count as a missed class.

Can someone finish my work for me?

No. Such requests are unethical, sometimes illegal, and breach Spires’ house rules.

How much is the hourly tutor rate in the UK?

• Rates vary by location, subject, and level.
• Online tutoring is often more cost effective.
• Tutors set their own rates and you can see them on each tutor’s profile.

How do you take payments?

All tuition payments are made securely by credit or debit card.

When are payments taken?

Payments are taken after each class. If a student fails to attend, a fee may still apply unless cancelled in advance. If the tutor agree otherwise, exceptions may be made.

Do your tutors provide any discounts?

Tutors are freelancers who tutor with us, they are not employees. They may negotiate individually a reduced rate on your tutoring hours. Spires also offers a referral programme.

I have a question or problem with my payment, what should I do?

• First check the ‘Payments’ section in our Help Centre.
• If unresolved, please contact us via the contact form.
• A programme coordinator will answer any questions during office hours (9am–5pm, Mon–Fri).

How does Spires adhere to best practices in both data protection and cybersecurity?

• Registered with the ICO.
• Adheres to GDPR and DPA.
• All communications are encrypted and stored securely.
• Tutors must complete full vetting.
• Two-factor authentication is required for all systems.

Spires works to safeguard all children and young people using the platform.

Where can I find frequently asked questions (FAQs) about tutoring for my subject and level?

• Detailed frequently asked questions (FAQ) pages exist for every subject and level.
• These include maths tutoring, science, and much more.
• If you can’t find the answer you need, please get in touch via our contact form.