One of my Latin students was intrigued to discover the word “tutus” the other day, in a text I had asked him to translate. He was even more pleased when I told him it meant (he was) “safe or secure.” We proceeded to have a discussion about the role of the modern Tutor, and I came away agreeing that there really is something historically and linguistically relevant to the modern craze for health and safety, for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in our charge and yes, even something to be said for the required CRB or DBS certification.
We “Tutors” really should take all this seriously, or so our Latin students – and their ancient Roman counterparts – seem to think. If you’re less inclined to take this view, perhaps you would prefer to be a Pedagogue (from the Ancient Greek “paidagogus”), a chap who basically did the same job as the Roman Tutor, but without the constraints of keeping his charges safe? I know which kind of private teacher I would prefer to be and to have, were I a student …