Changing the face of the tutoring industry
Tim Morris, the newly-appointed President of The Tutors’ Association (TTA), has vowed to take steps to bridge the gap between the tutoring and traditional education sectors.
Since his election on 26th June, Tim has spoken openly about the need for collaboration, not competition, between the sectors.
His mission for the next 12 months includes generating greater awareness of the association and a push for more robust self-regulation of the private tutoring market:
“The Tutors’ Association is an organisation that I’ve been passionate about ever since its formation – I’m honoured to now be at the helm. There’s work to be done to bring together the different elements that make up the most successful learning journey for a student but, by doing so, we’ll continue to build an organisation worthy of recognition. And, most importantly, one that is optimised for students, parents, tutoring professionals and the wider education sector.”
The Tutors’ Association is the UK’s only professional membership body for tutors. It provides the vital self-regulation that is necessary for tutors clearly to define their commitment to best practice, professional development and a strict code of conduct and ethics. A key issue that Tim aims to tackle during his Presidency centres on DBS checks – or lack of – for tutors.
“Safeguarding should be at the forefront for all professional educators. And yet, there is currently no requirement to have a DBS check if you are a tutor tutoring children. It’s appalling. The Tutors’ Association is doing its bit to address that position by ensuring that all our members are DBS checked – it’s a mandatory requirement for membership. I firmly believe that all tutors owe it to the families they tutor, and to themselves, to undertake one. In the meantime, any family employing a tutor who is a TTA member has the assurance that this is the case.”
A longstanding TTA Board Member and former Treasurer, Tim has a strong background in both business development and the private tutoring sector. He was integral in the expansion of a world-leading in-home tutoring brand, which eventually became one of TTA’s founding members. Determined to showcase that tutoring is more accessible than ever, he is ideally placed to lead the Association into a new era.
“It amazes me that people still believe tutoring is concentrated in London: we currently have over 1,000 members and the demographic reaches every corner of the country. Tutoring hasn’t been a luxury for a long time, in today’s society, it’s often seen as a necessity for many reasons. It shouldn’t be seen as a direct competitor to the traditional education system. I hope to foster cohesion between the two and demonstrate clearly how the tutoring sector can support the curriculum and syllabus alongside teachers and educators – not try to reinvent them.”
Whilst Tim undoubtedly has grand plans for the Association, he also says he’s keen to implement real, member-focused initiatives that will be felt instantly by the 1000-strong network. A new, online members’ forum has already proved to be a great success, whilst an impressive programme of Continued Professional Development is soon to be launched alongside existing training resources.
“We’re witnessing an increasing amount of interest from people wanting to join the organisation and the influx of communication we’re receiving from parents is extremely positive. People are approaching us to see whether a tutor they already have, or are considering, is a TTA member. It’s great to see a shift in attitude towards the profession, by both tutoring professionals who are looking to belong to a professional association and the public who are looking for expert guidance from the professions representative body.’
Tim has set himself a goal of doubling membership in the next 12 months. He is supported in his role by a team of directors and dedicated office staff from the Association’s headquarters in Marlow.
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