Spires
London tutoring platform where tutors send bids, with recorded video lessons
Quick Overview
| Company | SOTC Ltd (trading as Spires) |
|---|---|
| Category | Online Tutoring Marketplaces |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - United Kingdom |
| Data Location | not stated on the pages we read |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Tutor matching in minutes, bids from tutors, profiles and reviews, messaging, live video lessons, recorded classes |
| Pricing | Not shown on the pages we read (a separate prices page exists but gave no figures) |
| Best For | UK students who want to compare several tutor bids for a school or admissions subject |
| Replaces | Wyzant |
Detailed Review
Spires is run by SOTC Ltd, a company registered in England under number 09328574 with its registered office at 185 Ashburton Triangle, Drayton Park, London N5 1GD. The footer also shows a VAT number, and the terms state that English law and the courts of England and Wales apply.
The Spires site is organised by levels such as Key Stage, GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level and IB, plus admissions tests including 11+, UCAS and Oxbridge tests.
How Spires matches students and tutors
Spires describes four steps. You tell it what you want and get matched with professional tutors in minutes. You then see bids from tutors, browse their profiles and reviews and communicate with them.
Classes happen online whenever you like, and Spires states that all classes are recorded so you can watch them later.
Lesson tools and terms
Spires states that interactive features and video chat let you collaborate as if in the same room. The terms say that educational services by a self-employed tutor should not attract VAT, so none appears on invoices sent on the tutor's behalf.
The terms also contain a clause that turns damages for breaches identified in a notice into a £500 debt, which is worth reading before you book.
Spires as a European alternative to Wyzant
Spires gives UK students a contract with an English company, where Wyzant's privacy policy states US hosting. Spires is similar to Wyzant in that tutors compete on their profiles and bids.
No hourly rates or fee structure appeared on the Spires pages we read, so the cost has to be asked for in a request.
Limitations to Consider
Spires shows no prices or commission on the pages we read, which makes a comparison with MyTutor or Tavistock Tutors impossible without a request. The site is structured around UK exam levels.
Who Should Use Spires
UK students preparing for GCSE, A-Level, IB or admissions tests who want to compare bids from several tutors.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Company number, address and VAT number published
- Tutors respond with bids and profiles
- Classes recorded for later viewing
- Admissions tests covered, including Oxbridge and UCAS
- Messaging with tutors before choosing
Cons
- No prices shown on the pages we read
- Commission not stated
- UK exam levels dominate the structure
- £500 debt clause in the terms for identified breaches
Alternatives to Spires
Other European online tutoring marketplaces worth comparing before you decide:
See all European online tutoring marketplaces or compare them directly against Wyzant on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Spires is run by SOTC Ltd in London under English law and connects students with online tutors, like Wyzant.
Spires states that you describe what you want, see bids from tutors and browse their profiles and reviews before choosing.
Yes. Spires states that all classes are recorded so you can watch them later.