The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tutoring business learns online delivery lesson
Covid wiped out 80% of demand overnight
A Dundee tutoring centre has recovered from losing 80% of its business overnight as Covid-19 hit.
Robertsons Education Centre, based in Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, was founded three years ago and has a team of 11 staff.
Normally the run-up to the exam period is its busiest time of year, but, as exams were cancelled and schools closed, the Brook Street centre also had to close its doors
Founder Lorraine Robertson, 37, who taught maths at Craigie High School in Dundee for more than a decade, said it forced her to look at alternative ways of service delivery.
She said: “Up until the pandemic, I had no experience or interest in delivering online tuition.
“Initially, I was reluctant to move to an online teaching environment, but it’s been amazing and I’m delighted the way things have turned around and grown so quickly.”
As the lockdown restrictions begin to ease, the business aims to offer a blended learning service with the option for students to learn at the centre or online.
“Virtual learning suits some students more than others, while a number of the tutors are finding they prefer teaching online,” she added.
The business now offers tuition in maths, English, physics and chemistry, but is looking to increase its subject offer by adding languages and biology.
It teaches primary as well secondary pupils.
The headcount is also set to increase, with the initial addition of two new posts, with an eye to further recruitment in the longer term.
The pandemic has also put the search for a larger base on hold. as
Ms Robertson said: “As the business continued to grow, we were looking for bigger premises, but we will continue to offer virtual tuition and the demand for online learning means we may not need to move.
“I started offering tuition from home, but stepped out of my comfort zone and it’s worked out. We aim to keep expanding the number of tutors and the subjects we offer.”