How it works
Costs
SENsational Tutors provide transparency when it comes to costs and fees, benefiting both tutors and parents.
What are the Costs?
SENsational Tutors was established with a vision to stand out and be different. Nine years on, our commitment to building strong relationships and fostering trust remains at the heart of everything we do. This dedication is reflected across the company from our meticulous tutor selection process to our personalised matching service, as well as our transparent business and payment model, outlined below:
| Traditional Business Models | SENsational Tutors | |
|---|---|---|
Earnings | Tutors typically receive just 50% or less | Tutors receive 70% of the total fee |
Hourly Rates | Rates vary, often with less tutor control | Typical rates £90–£120 per hour |
Fees | Agency takes 50% or more | SENsational Tutors takes 25% + VAT |
Support | Often focused on margin over value | Quality and specialist support at the core |
Fee Structure | Often unclear or non-transparent fees | Fully transparent fee structure |
Values | Tutors may feel undervalued | Tutors are valued and fairly rewarded |
Tutor Rates | Rates often set or restricted by agency | Qualified, self-employed teachers set their own rates |
Tutor Satisfaction | Can lead to lower satisfaction | Encourages high tutor satisfaction and retention |
Background Behind Our Costings
Prior to establishing the company, our CEO worked with a tutoring agency that paid her just 50% of the overall costs. She considered this to be unfair and unjust, and therefore, when establishing SENsational Tutors, she was keen to develop a fair and totally transparent payment system.
This not only supports our values of developing trust, but also means that tutors will receive the highest split. In return, tutors feel valued, which is at the forefront of everything we do. All tutors on our interactive platform are qualified self-employed teachers with extensive experience.
Our Cost Split
The tutors set the total amount per hour themselves, which is generally from £90 to £120 per hour. The cost is split between:
The Tutor
70% of the total cost
SENsational Tutors
25% + VAT of the total cost
The exact costs may be more or less, and this may depend on:
- Level of specialist support required
- Number of hours per session
- Any budget proposed by the local authority
- Location
The costs and overall agreement will be made discussed between you and the tutor. You can either contact our enquiries team or the tutors directly to discuss your requirements.
Funding Options
There are several ways that tutoring can be funded, either by families directly, or through Local Authorities or third parties.
Privately
With personal funding arrangements, e.g. normally a private family
Local authorities including EOTAS packages, and schools
Through personal budget or direct payments. Local authorities and schools usually ask us to provide 5 to 25 hours of specialist tutoring support for EOTAS packages. We usually quote £80 to £90 per hour, however the overall cost should be discussed and agreed with the specific tutor.
From schools, colleges, legal firms and other publicly-funded sources
You may receive funding from alternative sources, such as insurers or legal firms.
How to apply and receive a personal budget for your child’s EOTAS package
We work with 26 local authorities throughout the UK, but we increasingly work with families who have a personal budget from their local authority. Most parents prefer the personal budget route as this allows families to personally select who they think could work best for their child, instead of giving that control to the local authorities.
A personal budget is often quicker and easier to arrange, which means that the child receives the specialist support they deserve as soon as possible.
Please see more information about specialist tutoring to local authorities here.
“If there was an option to leave more than 5 stars, I would choose it! Any parent concerned about their child’s wellbeing in school, their learning, independence or self confidence should call SENsational Tutors! No other company I have come across provides the care and attention I have experienced with SENsational Tutors. A truly magnificent tutor matching service.”
Erica
London
FAQs
Here are the most commonly asked questions about funding and costs for SENsational Tutors.
Find a SEN tutor
Whether you are self-funding, using an EOTAS package or have funding from alternative sources, SENsational Tutors can find you the right tutor for your child.
