Oliver

Hi Christina
Thanks for your feedback.
We discussed your requirements before and after agreeing to proceed with tuition. After you paid the commission, we identified that you required help with a non-UK exam board, and so I suggested that a tutor more experienced in that specific board may be more appropriate. I also explained that it has become increasingly difficult for me to sustain a position of self-employment, due to not only the pandemic but also the UK government's push for tutors to have qualified teacher status under the National Tutoring Program. This has led tutoring agencies to express preferences for tutors with PGCEs, and tutoring sites like First Tutors do not result in sufficient enquiries to constitute a source of regular work.
Given this, I offered to refund your commission but, again, due to cash flow issues there has been a delay in sorting this for you. This has now been actioned.
I appreciate your frustration, but I thought it better and less disruptive to cancel before tuition began than begin only to have to cancel later.
Best wishes
Oli

I'm taking a break from tutoring on medical grounds and communicated this to Sarah in the cancellation e-mail.

Hi Jane

I understand. It looks like a combination of (1) your limited phone reception and (2) my lack of access to your e-mail address has affected our ability to arrange tuition (see below). We could still work together, if you'd like this. I'm sure that the site administrators would be happy to resolve this and adjust the feedback situation that's arisen as a result.

Best wishes

Oli
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Looking back, I've an e-mail from First Tutors (16 February) containing the following:

'JANE has been sent a copy of your contact details and should be in contact within the next 48 hours to arrange your first GCSE or National 3-5 English lesson.

The request associated with this match will remain open for a further 30 days following payment of the introduction fee, to aid communication between you and your tutee.'

Looking at our messages, I see the following:

'From You (Telephone Number Removed Dear JANE

Thank you for your enquiry. We'll speak shortly.

Best wishes

Oliver

From You (Telephone Number Removed Hi Jane

Thank you for your enquiry. I could help, but I've limited space until the end of February. Shall we talk more about what you're looking for and go from there?

Best wishes

Oli

From JANE (Telephone Number Removed Yes that would be good
My mobile is Telephone Number Removed Probably be good to talk and perhaps meet first to see if get on with [removed] too
Kind regards
Jane

From You (Telephone Number Removed Hi Jane

This is a great idea.

You might need to press the purple accept button in the top right, as your number has beeen removed by an administrator.

Best wishes

Oli

From Admin (Telephone Number Removed JANE has successfully paid the finder's fee. You may now both exchange any necessary contact details and dates to arrange tuition.

From JANE (Telephone Number Removed My mobile is Telephone Number Removed Probably be good to talk and perhaps meet first to see if get on with j too
Kind regards
Jane

From You (Telephone Number Removed Hi Jane
Did you receive my text message, shortly after you paid the finder's fee? I've heard nothing since.
Best wishes
Oli

From JANE (Telephone Number Removed Hi Oli
The reception is poor here I have just checked and I sent you messages but appears not received
My email is E-mail Address Removed may be better to email
Or let me know good times to call
Thanks'

Hi Juri

Thank you for this lovely feedback. Well done for taking your studies seriously and advancing your grade through a mature combination of open-mindedness and hard work. It was a pleasure to work with you, and I think that you're most suited to your chosen career path: very well done.

Best wishes

Oli