Coronavirus in Scotland: Parents turn to home tutors as Edinburgh schools shut

PARENTS of students stranded at home as schools shut across the Capital are turning to home tutors.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced schools in Scotland will close from tomorrow (Friday).

Now teachers are offering their services to families in a bid to maintain normality and minimise upheaval in children’s lives.

“It’s definitely disruptive to those who are doing exams,” said tutor Natasha Callan, 27, from the New Town, of tomorrow’s coronavirus-enforced school closures.

“They are losing valuable study time with teachers and that one-on-one contact or student contact. The fact they haven’t got that anymore is quite detrimental to their studies.

English and History specialist Natasha has been tutoring secondary school students for the past three-and-half years.

After securing her postgraduate in teaching from Edinburgh University, she spent the last year on placements at schools across the Lothians.

“Parents are supportive and are there for their kids but they’re not specialists in subjects - they don’t know how to teach chemistry, or biology or English,” she said.

“While they’ll do what they can, school closures are going to have a serious effect on their education, even first and second years.

“For first years it’s about the routine of school - at this time you do this, at this time you do that. Parents working from home don’t have the time to do that.”

Natasha is currently doing home visits as well as arranging classes via video links for students.

Despite her school placements ending and with no permanent role until August at the earliest, she has slashed her prices from £33-an-hour to £15.

“Because of the circumstances and because I’ve got no work as well, I’ve reduced the rates - I’m playing it by ear,” she said.

And as schools close their doors, Natasha is already taking calls from existing and prospective clients.

“A couple of people have expressed an interest, asking basic questions then saying they’d get back in touch.

“People have different priorities and, of course, at the moment they’re still in school - they’re just testing the waters.

“Other parents whose children I’ve been tutoring for years are on the ball having already established a relationship and they’ve asked if I can do extra hours.”