# Reconnection in Tutoring: Training, Certification and Community
*by Julia Silver*
## Reconnection
This term, reconnection feels like the right theme – reconnecting with each other, with the purpose of tutoring, and with what really matters in our work.
At Qualified Tutor, this space is about celebrating the highs of tutoring, while also making room to acknowledge the challenges. Tutoring is complex, relational work, and it deserves thoughtful conversation rather than noise.
As this is the first update in a while, there’s a little catching up to do.
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## A Personal Update
### Learning, wellbeing and stepping back from social media
It’s been an exciting start to the year. I’m now halfway through my Psychology MSc, and it has been a steep learning curve. One of the unexpected joys of the course has been the people. Many of us are mature students, all looking to change or accelerate our paths, and there’s something very grounding about noticing the learning process together and supporting one another through it.
Psychology is a new language for most of us, but week by week it’s starting to make sense. I’m also planning a PhD next (on tutoring, of course), so watch this space.
I’ve also made a conscious decision this year to step away from social media. I realised it wasn’t supporting my wellbeing. If you’d like to be in touch, I’m always happy to connect by email at **[julia@qualifiedtutor.org](mailto:julia@qualifiedtutor.org)**.
### Family life and education at home
For those who know the Silver clan well and have witnessed some of our more challenging moments, I’m happy to report that everyone is meaningfully engaged in education right now. Our eldest has just turned 20 and is applying for engineering degrees, while our youngest is coming to the end of Year 6 – which means this is my final year of the school run after 16 years.
And yes, Moxie is very well. She’s mellowing now she’s three, but still full of affection and a joy to be around.
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## Tutoring in Practice
### EBSA, SEND and student-centred tutoring
My own tutoring is going very well. At the moment, my work is mostly focused on students experiencing EBSA (emotionally based school absence) and those with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities).
What’s become very clear is this: my specialism isn’t the subject, it’s the student.
Tutoring is demanding work. The commitment, creativity and professionalism it requires are real, and by the weekend I’m exhausted. But being able to give young people what they genuinely need – often at moments when systems have struggled to do so – makes it deeply worthwhile.
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## Reconnecting with the Wider Education Community
### What BETT revealed about tutoring today
Reconnection has also been very present in our work more widely. Our stand at BETT was genuinely uplifting – a chance to speak with new people and old friends, and to have thoughtful conversations about tutoring in all its forms.
We sold out all the copies of my book, which was lovely. But the most striking moment came from a simple question. When I asked passers-by, *“Are you interested in tutoring?”*, many people said yes – whether because they were considering becoming tutors themselves, or because they were looking to employ tutors.
That felt like real progress, and a far cry from the days when tutoring felt hidden or misunderstood at large education exhibitions.
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## Reconnecting as a Community
### Weekly members’ drop-in sessions
Alongside the return of more regular communication, we’re also reintroducing a weekly online members’ drop-in session.
**Thursdays at 12.45pm**
There’s no agenda. It’s simply a space to catch up, co-work, or eat lunch together. Nothing to prepare, nothing to perform – just connection. Members can find the link in the Members’ Calendar.
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## Behind the Scenes at Qualified Tutor
### Strengthening systems as the community grows
As Qualified Tutor continues to grow, we’re strengthening our admin systems to support that growth sustainably. One of the next steps is recruiting a new admin assistant to support the work for up to **ten hours per week**.
If you’re interested, or know someone who might be, please email **[odette@qualifiedtutor.org](mailto:odette@qualifiedtutor.org)**.
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## Save the Date: Inset for Tutors
### Live tutor training and professional development
**Inset for Tutors**
**Tuesday 21 April**
Inset for Tutors is our built-in programme of live, high-quality professional development for tutors.
Free for members. Discounted rates for teams.
Find out more at:
**qualifiedtutor.org/insetfortutors**
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## Directory Traffic Is Up. Is Your Profile Ready?
### Why tutor certification matters right now
More parents, schools and organisations are actively using the Qualified Tutor Directory to find tutors they can trust. That’s a real shift – and a real opportunity.
Certification helps tutors show up clearly at the moment people are looking. It signals that you’re safe, skilled and serious about your work, without you having to explain or justify it.
### Certified Professional Tutor status and the Qualified Tutor Directory
Being a **Certified Professional Tutor**:
* helps parents choose you with confidence
* strengthens your professional identity
* makes your directory listing work harder as traffic increases
Our Five-Point Check is designed to be straightforward and supported. You don’t have to be perfect – just professional.
Start your Five-Point Check here:
[https://certified.qualifiedtutor.org/get-certified—independent-member](https://certified.qualifiedtutor.org/get-certified—independent-member)
Your future self – and your future enquiries – will thank you.
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## *Love Tutoring* Is Now on Audible
### Why understanding tutoring matters
> *“Love Tutoring is an important book: it locates the role of tutoring in its historical and current context. It’s an element of provision that we all ought to know more about.”*
> — **Mary Myatt**, education writer
*Love Tutoring* is now available on Amazon and Audible.