Myth-busting: What English tutoring at Action Tutoring really looks like

Have you ever felt unsure about what’s required from our English tutoring sessions? Want to find out what a session really involves? Read on as we work on myth-busting common misconceptions our tutors may have.

The first myth

Reality: Of course, we can definitely see this would make total sense. We’d like to reassure you, this is not the case!

At Action Tutoring, we provide detailed extracts along with an outline of how to explore the text. We always want tutors to be free of doing the heavy lifting.

Each session includes key vocabulary for both pupils and tutors to focus on. This greatly prepares you to unpack the text’s meaning and context. To hopefully reassure you, if English is your second language, this is totally fine with us. Our sessions focus on comprehension and reading fluency, meaning there is plenty of support in the workbooks to guide you. 

The second myth

Reality: We totally understand it would feel like this. Thankfully, in no way is this all on you, our tutor.

We design our resources with model responses and scaffolds that give pupils a starting point for their creative writing. These models are fantastic tools to springboard the pupil’s own ideas, enabling them to gain confidence and independence. With prompts and structured support, the pupils have a foundation to build on, helping them develop their creativity without feeling overwhelmed. This means you won’t feel overwhelmed either!

The third myth

Reality: Thankfully, we’ve got it covered, meaning there’s no need for you to be an expert!

The tutor workbooks are packed with answers, model responses, and step-by-step scaffolds that guide both you and the pupils. These resources help you explain difficult concepts and give you the tools to address misconceptions effectively. To hopefully reassure you, we don’t require tutors to have every answer memorised. The workbooks and materials are simply there to ensure you can guide the pupil to the correct answers together. This helpfully creates a learning environment where mistakes are part of the process (allowing pupils to learn from them).

The fourth myth

Reality: We’re delighted to go myth busting once again! English certainly is a wide and varied subject including much more than just rules and long written responses. 

At Action Tutoring, English sessions also explore comprehension, vocabulary, speaking, listening, and critical thinking. Pupils learn how to approach a variety of texts, express their ideas clearly, and understand the world around them through language. We know it’s not all about essays! Ultimately, it’s about developing confident communicators who can engage with all forms of written and spoken language.

The fifth, and final, myth

Reality: English sessions are engaging and exciting!

We enable sessions to be interesting, vibrant and fun, by:

• Using a variety of texts
• Exploring creative activities
• Allowing pupils to express their opinions and ideas
• Providing interactive activities, discussions, and opportunities for pupils to share their voices

Essentially, pupils often become more excited about learning when they feel like they’re actively participating rather than just passively receiving information. The sessions are also a mixture of written and spoken responses. We truly believe in the research that proves learning can also be done through discussion, as well as written answers. 

Myth busting: In summary

By myth-busting and breaking down these misconceptions, we aim to show that tutoring English is a lot easier than it may seem.

With the resources, tools, and support provided, tutors can feel more confident and prepared to help pupils succeed. 

Remember: you’re not alone, and you don’t need to have all the answers. You’re there to guide, support, and help your pupils grow in their English skills.

Convinced and want to sign up?

Action Tutoring and the EEF partner to evaluate impact of maths tutoring programme

Action Tutoring is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) to conduct a rigorous evaluation of its established maths tutoring programme for secondary school pupils facing disadvantage. 

Working alongside leading research organisations, the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) and the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), this project aims to provide robust evidence about the programme’s effectiveness.

The evaluation will employ a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design, considered the gold standard in research methodology. This approach will allow researchers to assess the impact of Action Tutoring’s small-group tuition on maths attainment and attitudes among pupils in Years 7, 10, and 11. The study will focus on pupils in state-maintained mainstream schools in England with at least 18% of pupils eligible for the Pupil Premium.

Evaluating for impact and improvement

Action Tutoring’s programme provides targeted support through trained volunteer tutors, utilising a curriculum developed by experienced educators. The evaluation will not only assess the overall impact of the programme but also explore potential strategies to further enhance its effectiveness. This “nimble trial” approach will allow for the testing of promising methods, such as those aimed at improving pupil engagement.

The partnership with the EEF underscores Action Tutoring’s commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous improvement. By rigorously evaluating its programme, Action Tutoring aims to contribute valuable insights to the education sector and inform best practices for supporting pupils facing disadvantage in maths. The findings from this study will be shared with schools, policymakers, and other stakeholders to maximise the reach and impact of effective tutoring interventions.

Evaluation timeline

The evaluation will follow a structured timeline, with data collection occurring over the course of the 2025-26 academic year and results expected to be published in summer 2027. This collaborative effort will involve participating schools, volunteer tutors, and the research teams at NFER and BIT.

Explore opportunities to participate: schools and volunteers

For schools interested in learning more about the evaluation, please visit our dedicated EEF evaluation webpage.

Individuals passionate about making a difference to the lives of young people and interested in volunteering as a tutor on an Action Tutoring programme can find more information on our volunteer page.

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How we develop our curriculum – four key steps

Developing an engaging and effective curriculum is a complex but crucial process. At the heart of our approach to tutoring is a commitment to adaptability, tutor empowerment, continuous improvement, and expert design.

This blog post will delve into the four key steps we take to develop our curriculum, ensuring it delivers high-quality, impactful tutoring experiences for pupils facing disadvantage in English and maths. From initial design to ongoing evaluation and innovation, we’ll explore how we craft resources that are not only flexible and engaging, but also empower our tutors to make a real difference.

Designed for adaptability and engagement

One hallmark of our curriculum is its flexibility. While our resources are designed for small groups, they can easily be adapted for one-on-one tutoring. For example:

• English sessions include writing scaffolds, sentence stems, and scripted questions to guide tutors in fostering discussion and reflection.
• Maths sessions balance procedural practice with intelligent practice, encouraging deep understanding rather than rote memorisation.
• Interactive features, such as vocabulary matching games and collaborative activities, ensure that every session is engaging and impactful.

Empowering tutors for effective delivery

We understand that even the best curriculum can fall flat without effective delivery. That’s why we invest in comprehensive training and support for our volunteer tutors. From webinars and live demonstrations to tailored feedback from quality assurance staff, tutors are equipped with the skills they need to:

• Form effective questions
• Model language and vocabulary
• Use a gradual release model (I do, we do, you do)
• Make in-session adjustments based on pupil needs

Our commitment to supporting tutors extends to the technical realm as well. Online tutors receive hands-on training in our bespoke learning platform, Vedamo, which includes tools like text boxes, highlighters, and collaborative whiteboards to enhance interaction.

Continuous improvement through evaluation

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards in our curriculum through a rolling cycle of review and updates. This includes:

• Biannual corrections: Minor issues in resources are identified and addressed twice a year.
• Annual curriculum reviews: Entire curricula are evaluated and enhanced, with input from tutors, Programme Coordinators, and schools.
• Standards for tutoring: We are developing a set of standards inspired by the DfE’s teaching standards to further guide and assess the quality of our tutoring sessions.

Delivering quality through expert educators

Our curriculum isn’t just written by subject experts – it’s crafted by experienced teachers who understand the needs of our target pupils. These Curriculum Leads bring years of classroom experience to the table, ensuring that every session is educationally sound and tailored for maximum impact.

And we know it works

We just released our 2023-2024 Impact Report. Last academic year was a year of record-breaking impact, growth, and advocacy. Our pupils outperformed national benchmarks, with Year 6 reading results reaching an all-time high and over 60% of disadvantaged GCSE pupils passing their tutored subject.

Innovation is at the heart of our curriculum. In the coming years, we plan to:

• Redesign our assessments to gather even more precise data on pupil progress.
• Explore the potential of AI to enhance curriculum delivery.
• Continue expanding and refining our DEI targets.

We work with primary and secondary state schools across England to deliver heavily subsidised, high-quality tutoring for pupils facing disadvantage in Years 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11, in English and maths. If you’re interested in finding out more, visits our schools page:

The power of university placement students in Action Tutoring

At Action Tutoring, we are incredibly fortunate to work with an amazing team of volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to supporting young people in their education. Among these volunteers, university placement students hold a special place. Their enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and commitment to making a difference are invaluable to the work we do.

Over the last three years, we have had a significant number of university students volunteering with us as part of their placement module. These students typically complete between 20 and 150 hours with us over the course of an academic year. At present, we have 33 placement students from a range of universities, including Newcastle, Nottingham, Birmingham, Liverpool, East Anglia, Chester, Westminster, UCL, and Exeter. The degrees they are pursuing span a broad spectrum of disciplines, such as politics, marketing, maths, geography, accounting, education, pharmacy, art and history.

The impact of university placement students

University students bring a unique energy and insight to our programmes. With their up-to-date subject knowledge, ability to relate to pupils, and eagerness to develop their own skills, they make fantastic tutors. Their presence not only benefits the pupils they work with but also enriches the entire tutoring environment.

Placement students play a crucial role in tackling the attainment gap by supporting pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to build their confidence and academic abilities. They act as inspiring role models who help pupils develop essential skills, improve their subject knowledge, and gain motivation for future learning.

Lily Ainsleigh Jones, a university placement student from Newcastle University, shared her experience: 

“One of the students I have been tutoring for the past six months has progressively improved in reading. Words which she would have struggled with in our first few sessions she is now easily skimming over. It’s great to see how much more confident she has become.”

Cameron Colbourne, another placement student, reflected on his journey: 

“Volunteering with Action Tutoring has significantly contributed to my personal development. My communication skills, using my initiative and problem-solving skills have all improved profoundly from when I first started my first session.”

A two-way learning experience

The experience of volunteering as a tutor is just as valuable for the university students themselves. Many placement students come to us eager to gain hands-on experience in education, social impact, or community engagement. Through their time with Action Tutoring, they develop key skills such as communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and leadership – all of which are highly transferable to future careers.

Our structured volunteering programme ensures that students receive extensive training, support, and the opportunity to reflect on their experiences, allowing them to grow both personally and professionally. Lily reflected on her personal growth, stating:

“I believe it has allowed me to develop stronger communication skills as this is at the core of all tutoring. It has also contributed to my confidence – at first, it was quite daunting teaching young children, but the more I do it, the more confident I have become.”

The support we provide

We believe that the best tutoring experiences come from well-supported volunteers. That’s why we provide comprehensive training, resources, and guidance to all of our tutors, ensuring that placement students feel confident and equipped to support their pupils effectively. Our team is always on hand to offer advice, share best practices, and celebrate the successes of our tutors.

Additionally, placement students benefit from the opportunity to participate in additional activities, such as fundraising, marketing and blog-writing, developing professional skills in an impactful setting. This experience enhances their employability and helps them stand out in competitive job markets.

Join us!

If you’re a university student looking for a meaningful placement opportunity, Action Tutoring is the perfect place to make a difference. Not only will you contribute to tackling education inequality, but you’ll also gain invaluable experience that will benefit you long after your placement has ended.

Lily encourages others to get involved: 

“Volunteering with Action Tutoring is probably one of the most rewarding experiences I do in my week, and it’s only an hour out of my week, with very flexible times. The support that Action Tutoring gives you is great – they are always ready to help you with anything you don’t feel comfortable with.”

We are immensely proud of the university placement students who join us each year, and we cannot wait to welcome more passionate, dedicated individuals to our team. 

Together, we can transform futures – one tutoring session at a time.

If you’d like to apply for a volunteer placement, complete our application form on the ‘Volunteer’ page and tick the ‘I am a university placement student’ box. 

Do you oversee student placements at a university?

If you’re interested in finding out how we can work together to create meaningful placement opportunities for your students, get in touch with our university partnership leads: volunteer@actiontutoring.org.uk.

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