How to find a good grinds tutor in Ireland

The quickest way to find a good grinds tutor is to be specific about what you need, shortlist two or three tutors who teach exactly that subject and level, and judge them on a first lesson rather than on price alone. This checklist takes you through each step, including what tutor verification does and does not cover if you are booking for someone under 18.

1. Pin down the subject, level and goal

“Maths help” is too broad for a tutor to plan around. Before you search, write down three things:

• Subject and level — primary, Junior Cycle, Leaving Certificate (Higher or Ordinary), third level or adult learner.
• The goal — catching up after missed classes, holding on to Higher Level, the mocks, an oral, or steady weekly support through the year.
• Where the marks are going — recent tests, teacher comments or the topics that keep coming up wrong.

If you are unsure about the level, read should you drop to Ordinary Level? before you book.

2. Decide online or in person

In-person grinds depend on a tutor living near you, so your choice is limited by your county and town. Online grinds open up tutors anywhere in Ireland, which matters most for less common subjects such as Applied Maths or Computer Science. Many tutors offer both. Our guide to online vs in-person grinds covers which suits which student.

3. Shortlist tutors and read each profile properly

Start from a subject page or tutor search, where you can filter by subject, level, county and lesson type, and sort by rating or price. For each tutor on your shortlist, check:

• Levels taught. A tutor who lists Leaving Certificate is a better bet for exam technique than one who only lists Junior Cycle.
• Specifics in the bio. Look for named exams, papers, topics and how they run a lesson. “I love teaching” tells you very little.
• Background. A qualified teacher, a subject specialist and a college student who sat the exam recently can all be good tutors. Pick the one whose background suits your goal.
• Reviews and rating. On GetGrinds.ie, reviews can only be left by a student after a completed lesson, one per booking.
• Rate and availability. The hourly rate on the profile is what you pay, and the open slots are real times you can book.

4. Know what “verified” means

Every tutor on GetGrinds.ie completes onboarding and verification before they appear in search, and we review the materials they submit. That is not the same as Teaching Council registration or Garda vetting. If either matters to you, ask the tutor once your booking is confirmed. You can check whether a teacher is registered on the Teaching Council website.

5. Book one lesson before committing

One lesson is usually enough to tell whether the tutor explains clearly and whether the student feels comfortable. On GetGrinds.ie, lessons are one hour, need at least 12 hours’ notice, and can be booked up to 28 days ahead. The price is locked in when you pay, and the tutor’s contact details are shared only once the booking is confirmed.

If plans change, you get a full refund when you cancel 48 hours or more before the lesson. See the FAQ for the full cancellation policy.

6. Questions worth asking the tutor

Use the lesson’s message thread or the first few minutes of the grind to ask:

• How will you work out where marks are being lost?
• Do you use past papers and marking schemes? The State Examinations Commission publishes both for free.
• Is correcting homework or essays between lessons included?
• What should be different after four to six lessons?

7. Prepare for the first grind

Bring recent tests, a short list of weak topics, and the textbook or notes the school uses. Tell the tutor the deadline you are working towards, such as Christmas tests, the mocks or the June exams. For an online lesson, test the camera and microphone beforehand so the hour starts on time.

8. Review after three or four lessons

By then the student should understand more, feel more confident, and know what to practise between lessons. If not, try another tutor. You book each lesson individually, so there is no term to sit out.

Booking grinds for someone under 18

• A parent or guardian should supervise the account and the bookings.
• Keep messages on the lesson thread rather than personal phones or social media.
• Online: hold the lesson in a shared room with the door open.
• In person: agree the location in advance and make sure a parent knows where and when the lesson is.
• If something feels wrong, report it from the booking page or email us. Reports are reviewed by our team.

Red flags

• Asking to be paid outside the platform. This breaks our terms and removes your refund protection.
• Guaranteeing a particular grade or CAO points total.
• Being unable to say which level or course they teach.

Ready to start? Browse verified tutors or go straight to grinds by subject.

Related guides

• How much do grinds cost in Ireland?
• Online vs in-person grinds: which is better?
• Junior Cycle vs Leaving Cert grinds: when to start