Sustaining the momentum: Action Tutoring in a post-NTP world
31 July 2024
On 17th July, our final tutoring session funded by the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) took place for us here at Action Tutoring. We are now reflecting on the NTP’s significant impact on education in the UK, and for us as an organisation, and planning for the next stage of our development following its conclusion. We’ve often said that we were here long before the NTP and we’ll be here long afterwards. Disappointed as we are that it’s not continuing, that remains true!
The birth and achievements of the NTP
In June 2020, Action Tutoring was asked by Robert Halfon MP, Chair of the House of Commons Education Select Committee at the time, to give live evidence to the Committee’s inquiry into the impact of Covid-19 on education and children’s services. Our contribution played a significant role in the subsequent creation of the NTP. Its primary goal initially was to provide additional support to pupils, particularly those who were facing disadvantage, who were most affected by school closures. The programme’s reach was substantial: between November 2020 and May 2024, over 5.6 million tutoring courses were started nationwide.
There’s no doubt that such a number is a significant achievement and despite some of the implementation challenges of the NTP, it has clearly demonstrated that it is possible to roll out and deliver tutoring at scale nationwide. The potential of this should not be underestimated.
Action Tutoring and the NTP
For Action Tutoring, the NTP has been transformative. It enabled us to:
- Triple in size, expanding our reach to more pupils than ever before.
- Implement virtual delivery methods, allowing us to continue supporting pupils even during lockdowns and in harder to reach locations.
- Become a truly national organisation, extending our services to areas previously beyond our reach, from Cumbria to Devon
We’ve reached more than 20,000 individual pupils since the NTP started. Some of these pupils took part over more than one academic year, and some benefited from tutoring in both English and maths. Collectively, these pupils received more than 248,000 tutoring sessions. In this time, approximately 69% of pupils we worked with were eligible for the Pupil Premium. We’re especially proud that although the Pupil Premium target for the NTP was disappointingly removed in the second year, we exceeded their original 65% target and have remained relentlessly focused on supporting pupils facing disadvantage.
Our advocacy for an extension
Having been at the forefront of calls for the introduction of the NTP, were then also at the forefront of efforts to extend the NTP, highlighting several crucial factors:
- The attainment gap is now at its widest in a decade, emphasising the ongoing need for targeted support.
- The educational needs that prompted the NTP’s creation have not disappeared.
- Extremely robust evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of tutoring in improving educational outcomes. In fact, tutoring ranks among the best-evidenced interventions schools can use.
- The sector has built up a huge amount of tutoring infrastructure and knowledge. The result was a working tutoring programme – undoing all of this would waste significant resources and expertise.
Looking ahead
We know that the public purse is under huge pressure, with challenging decisions being made and we know that the fiscal environment was a major factor in why the NTP hasn’t been extended. This is despite the many calls from the sector about the role it can play in tackling the attainment gap. However, while the NTP has ended, our mission continues. We’re hugely grateful that numerous funders have stepped in to support our work, recognising the ongoing need for educational support, and helping us keep costs low for schools.
We remain hopeful that over the next parliament, there will be a renewed commitment to funded tutoring for disadvantaged pupils. The positive impact of the NTP showed what’s possible when resources are directed towards closing the attainment gap.
You can read more about the benefits teachers, pupils and education leads see in the Guardian article that Action Tutoring featured in earlier this month:
We plan to work with others in the sector to convene two reports to publish in early 2025, building on our tutoring advocacy work. One will look at lessons learnt from the NTP and the other will outline what a future tutoring policy could look like – watch this space!
The end of the NTP marks a significant moment in UK education. At Action Tutoring, we’re committed to building on its legacy, continuing to provide vital support to pupils who need it most. We call on policymakers, educators, and communities to join us in ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Fundraisers take on the Bristol 10k for disadvantaged pupils
4 July 2024
Five formidable fundraisers completed the Bristol 10k to raise crucial funds for pupils facing disadvantage across England.
Over 15,000 participants took on the route, passing stunning views and famous graffiti murals, whilst pushing their physical limits.
Read on to hear why our fundraisers took on this challenge to support the cause.
Dedicated support team
Our runners enjoyed some fantastic support on the day.
Staff from various departments of our organisation turned up to support, including Senior Bristol Programme Coordinator, Chloe, Senior Engagement Coordinator, Abby and Bristol and Sussex Programme Manager, Rachel.
Chloe reflects on the buzzing atmosphere of the day.
It was brilliant cheering on the runners at the Bristol 10k! There’s always such a great energy on the day, from both runners and supporters. – Chloe
Abby made a race day poster for Freya. It wasn’t just for cheering her on. The poster, which Freya loves, now holds a pride of place on her bedroom wall!
Chloe and Rachel tracked me on the app and found good spots to wave at me
and cheer me on, and Abby made a ‘go Freya go’ poster
which I now have up on my bedroom wall!” – Freya
Dad and daughter duo
Freya, our Senior Bristol Programme Coordinator, teamed up with her dad, David, to conquer the race. It was a fantastic experience they’ll both cherish.
The race was much better than I expected! I was really happy that I achieved my goal of not stopping to walk. It was so good to run with my dad and to see the other fundraisers after the race. – Freya
Being mindful of the heat, Freya’s advice to future runners is to make sure you keep hydrated!
It was really hot and we didn’t know when we ran past the water station that there wasn’t going to be another one, so my advice to future fundraisers would be to grab two water bottles because you never know if there’s another water station on the route! – Freya
Fundraising success!
The team of five raised an incredible £955.17, rising to £1175.93 with Gift Aid!
This amount could provide a year of face-to-face tutoring for 2 pupils. It could also provide 203 high quality workbooks for face-to-face tutors.
Congratulations to our five fantastic fundraisers who worked tirelessly to raise funds for our pupils by running the Bristol 10k. Our vision is a world in which no child’s life chances are limited by their socio-economic background. We couldn’t achieve this vision without you, thank you! – Hannah O’Neill, Head of Philanthropy
Get involved
Do you want to get involved in a fundraising challenge for us? We might just have the opportunity for you!
We’re currently looking for fundraisers to join our team for the London-Brighton Cycle Ride (55 miles) in September. Contact our Fundraising Coordinator, Molly, at molly.cottrill@actiontutoring.org.uk, or sign up via the link below!
