A UK Tutoring Agreement is a legally binding contract between a client (typically a parent, guardian, or adult student) and a professional tutor that sets out the terms on which private tutoring services will be provided. Governed by the laws of England and Wales, this agreement establishes the subject and learning objectives, session format (in-person or online), session frequency and duration, fee per session in GBP, payment schedule, cancellation policy, safeguarding and child protection provisions, equality obligations, confidentiality, data protection requirements, and intellectual property ownership in tutoring materials.

The legal framework for private tutoring in England and Wales is primarily governed by the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, which implies a term that the tutor will provide services with reasonable care and skill (Section 13). Where the client is a consumer (such as a parent engaging a tutor for their child), the Consumer Rights Act 2015 provides additional protections.

Safeguarding is the most legally significant aspect of tutoring agreements where the student is under 18. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, as amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, establishes the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) barring scheme. It is a criminal offence under Section 7 of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 for a person who is barred from working with children to engage in regulated activity with children. Regulated activity with children includes teaching, training, or instruction provided to children in certain settings, particularly where unsupervised, frequent, or intensive contact is involved.

The Equality Act 2010 imposes non-discrimination obligations on tutors as service providers, requiring them to make reasonable adjustments for disabled students and prohibiting discrimination on the basis of any of the nine protected characteristics.

Data protection is also relevant to tutoring agreements, as tutors typically process personal data relating to the student (including academic progress, learning difficulties, and assessment results). The Data Protection Act 2018 (incorporating the UK GDPR) requires that such personal data be processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently, and be held securely and for no longer than necessary.

Intellectual property in tutoring materials — including worksheets, lesson plans, revision guides, and annotated practice papers — is owned by the tutor as the creator under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. A tutoring agreement should clarify that these materials are licensed to the client for the student’s personal educational use only.

A UK tutoring agreement should be used whenever a private tutor or tutoring agency is engaged to provide one-to-one or small-group tutoring to a student. The most common situations in England and Wales include:

GCSE and A-Level tutoring, where a parent or guardian engages a specialist tutor to support their child’s preparation for public examinations. At this age, safeguarding provisions are particularly important, and a written agreement that addresses DBS checks, supervision arrangements, and communication boundaries provides reassurance to parents and legal protection for tutors.

University tutoring and academic support, where an undergraduate or postgraduate student engages a specialist academic or subject expert to assist with essay writing, examination technique, or understanding of complex topics. Where the student is an adult, the safeguarding provisions are less central, but confidentiality, intellectual property, and payment terms remain important.

Special educational needs (SEN) and learning support tutoring, where a tutor with specialist expertise supports a student with dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or other learning difficulty. An agreement should address reasonable adjustments, the tutor’s qualifications and experience, and any additional time requirements.

Online tutoring services, whether provided via a platform or directly by arrangement with the client. Online tutoring raises additional considerations around recording of sessions (with associated copyright and data protection implications), appropriate communication channels, and technical requirements for sessions.

Primary school tutoring, where very young students are involved and safeguarding, supervision, and parental involvement requirements are at their most important.

Where a tutoring agency engages a self-employed tutor to provide services to its clients, a written agreement is essential to establish the tutor’s independent contractor status, their DBS obligations, and the agency’s safeguarding responsibilities.

A well-drafted UK Tutoring Agreement for England and Wales should contain the following key provisions:

Tutoring Services and Learning Objectives — A clear description of the subject or subjects to be taught (including the examination board and level where applicable), the agreed learning objectives, and any specific examination or assessment dates the student is working towards.

Session Details — The format of sessions (in-person at the student’s home, at the tutor’s premises, or online via video call), the frequency (weekly, twice-weekly), the duration of each session, and the start date.

Fees and Payment — The fee per session (in GBP), when payment is due (per session, weekly, or monthly), the accepted payment methods, and the consequences of late payment including statutory interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

Cancellation Policy — The minimum notice required to cancel or reschedule a session without charge (typically 24 to 48 hours), the late cancellation charge (as a percentage of the session fee), and the tutor’s right to cancel without charge where genuine emergency prevents attendance.

Safeguarding and DBS — Confirmation that the tutor holds (or will obtain) an Enhanced DBS check for regulated activity where the student is under 18; confirmation that the client understands their responsibility to ensure an appropriate adult is present during in-person sessions; and the tutor’s commitment to follow applicable safeguarding procedures.

Conduct and Communication — Professional boundaries, restrictions on one-to-one social media communications with under-18 students, and the requirement to copy parents or guardians on communications with minor students.

Equality and Non-Discrimination — Compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and the duty to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities or learning difficulties.

Confidentiality — The tutor’s obligation to keep the student’s personal and academic information confidential, with exceptions for legally required safeguarding disclosures.

Intellectual Property — Confirmation that tutoring materials remain the tutor’s intellectual property and may only be used by the student for personal educational purposes.

Governing Law — A clause confirming that the agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales with exclusive jurisdiction in the courts of England and Wales.