Maths teacher scoops 'out of this world' national award for Bray Tutoring

A longtime teacher from Fifield has been recognised as ‘Professional Tutor of the Year’ at a national awards ceremony, nearly three years after launching her business.

Julia Crocker was awarded the title at the Tutor Association’s National Tutoring Awards, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Friday, July 4.

The 54-year-old founded Bray Tutoring, specialising in maths for GCSE pupils, in 2022 after working as a school teacher for more than 28 years.

“I've been teaching since I left university,” she said.

“Then I got to the point around COVID – I’m getting older, what do I want for the rest of my life?

“I love teaching, but there were parts of being in schools that weren't always what I wanted.

“Tutoring seemed like the obvious step, where I could still support students, and still do what I love doing.”

After 14 years in a primary school, Julia has also taken senior roles at secondary and private schools around the country, as well as working in a boarding school and an international school in Thailand.

“I did a bit of everything, but my subject has always been maths, and that’s always been my passion,” she said.

“I was the child who used to have a maths puzzle book next to my bed when I was younger.”

Julia said working full-time by delivering online lessons was ‘a great decision’ and, on average, she teaches six students daily at various maths levels.

“I absolutely love what I'm doing now,” she added.

“I've got the best of the job – more flexibility, but I get to work with families and students and have a real impact and make a big difference.”

The Royal Borough resident of 10 years has been shortlisted at the awards every year since becoming a tutor, and was also a finalist for the Secondary Tutor category this year.

“In my first year nominated, I was like ‘Wow, this is incredible’, but to win is a shock, it's amazing,” she said.

“It’s almost overwhelming. It’s such a fantastic recognition because the families I work with tell me I’m doing a good job, but to be recognised at a national level with a load of other amazing educators in the room, is just out of this world.”

The criteria that judges looked for were the impact on students, their professional standards, and innovative and effective teaching approaches.

“Also, it’s recognition of the partnerships with the parents,” said Julia.

“Part of the nomination process involves parents’ references and supporting what you do, so [the award] recognises it from all areas.”

Julia said tuition uptake has ‘massively’ increased in the past decade, and it’s ‘almost unusual’ for a student not to ‘have anything extra’.

“In the schools I’ve been in, it’s been up to 80 – 90 per cent of the class say they’re having some tuition – it might be one-to-one, it might be a platform where it’s not as expensive, but they still do extra beyond classrooms,” she added.

Filling in the learning gaps created during the COVID pandemic could be the reason for the increase, but Julia also believes ‘it's more acceptable’ to have a tutor now than before.

“I think a lot of it is down to the fact that it’s more a positive thing now, rather than you need a tutor because you’re failing,” said Julia.

“It’s almost like a badge, and it's exciting for students, and it has that knock-on impact.”