Home Tuition

For the past 13 years, Phil has taught music privately in the South West London & Surrey area in the comfort of pupil’s own homes. Phil has also worked in schools, but enjoys the home teaching environment.

Phil: ‘When I teach pupils in their own homes, I often end up teaching the same pupils for several years. I think that the home environment creates a unique situation in which the pupil typically feels relaxed and comfortable, as compared with the more clinical classroom environment. In schools I have often found that pupils are less relaxed and it can be quite a distracting environment.’

Keeping in contact with parents

‘Whilst I teach all ages, an advantage that comes with teaching children in their own home is that I also keep in touch with children’s parents. I very much value talking with parents about their children’s progress, and about the things I am gleaning on a weekly basis concerning the child’s unique learning needs and their emerging talents and skills. Parents typically value having this ongoing interaction with me in relation to their children’s learning experience.

Keeping lessons fun

Phil has also found that teaching lessons to children in their own homes helps maintain a separation between music lessons and school. This can help to maintain a pupil’s enthusiasm as the work load at school becomes increasingly intense.

‘Over the years I have found that many parents have specifically asked me to keep the lessons fun in order to provide pupil’s with an outlet from what often becomes a rigorous and strenuous period as children continue to progress through the academic system. Parents have time and again expressly asked me to concentrate on making the lessons fun for students in order to provide a non-academic outlet for children. I think many parents wish that they had had the opportunity to play an instrument and enjoy having music as a fun outlet as they were growing up. Many traditional music teaching environments concentrate on pupil’s obtaining qualifications with their music. I am happy to, and enjoy accompanying pupil’s through the experience of obtaining grades if this is what they want. However, whether or not a child wants to sit grades, I always aim to ensure that the pupils is having fun whist they are learning.’