New school partnerships in Hull, Leeds, Bradford and Dorset!

We are absolutely thrilled to share that Action Tutoring is expanding its reach even further across England! We are delighted to announce the launch of new school partnerships in Hull, Leeds, Bradford, and Dorset, bringing vital tutoring support to more young people who need them most.

This expansion marks a significant step in our mission to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to achieve their academic potential and build a bright future.

Why Hull, Leeds, Bradford and Dorset?

Establishing partnerships in these communities stems from our commitment to addressing educational inequality where the need is greatest. The attainment gap – the difference in academic outcomes between disadvantaged pupils and their peers – remains a pressing issue across the country, and a child’s postcode can have a huge impact on their attainment in school.

High-quality tutoring can be a powerful tool to help close this gap, providing targeted support that builds knowledge, confidence, and crucial study skills. By bringing our heavily-subsidised programmes to Hull, Leeds, Bradford, and Dorset, we aim to make this impactful support accessible to young people who might otherwise miss out.

‘We are incredibly excited about this expansion. These areas represent key areas where our targeted support can make a truly significant difference to young people’s lives. We’re looking forward to building strong partnerships with schools and witnessing the positive impact our dedicated tutors will have.’

– Rachael Galletly, Northern Programme Manager

What Action Tutoring does

Action Tutoring is an education charity dedicated to supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. We partner with primary and secondary schools to deliver consistent, small-group tuition in English and maths. Our volunteer tutors work closely with pupils in key year groups (typically Years 5, 6, 7, 10, and 11) to reinforce classroom learning, prepare for exams, and foster a love of learning.

Our programmes are designed to integrate seamlessly with school life, providing a valuable layer of additional support that complements the work already happening in classrooms.

“Action Tutoring gives pupils a real chance to engage in real catch up interventions which might otherwise not be available to Pupil Premium pupils. [We’re] really grateful for the input. I feel the routine really helps pupils to progress. It`s a potential life changer!”

– Steve Gittens, Executive Headteacher at Wallsend St. Peter’s in Newcastle

I decided to volunteer because education changed my own life. I was thrilled to see my pupils improve their grades last year. It’s so rewarding. Getting a Grade 4 or above makes such a difference to their prospects, whatever they want to pursue in the future.

– Shirley, volunteer and retired social worker

Find out more

• Who are our volunteers? Celebrating the faces behind the impact
• The link between pupil wellbeing and attainment
• Why our curriculum is in expert hands
• Decoding Ofsted’s new focus: How to ensure your Pupil Premium strategy meets the ‘Inclusion-first’ standard
• “The greatest vehicle for progression”: A conversation with Maro Itoje

Action Tutoring crowned School Partnership Provider of the Year 2025!

We are absolutely thrilled and incredibly proud to announce that Action Tutoring has won the prestigious School Partnership Provider of the Year award 2025! This remarkable achievement is a testament to our impactful collaborations with schools across the country, all dedicated to supporting disadvantaged pupils.

This award, presented by The Tutors’ Association as a “celebration of excellence” in the tuition sector, holds particular significance for us. In a category largely dominated by private tuition companies, our win as a charity truly underscores the unique and powerful solution we offer in tackling educational inequality.

What this award means to us

For us, this award is a celebration of the brilliant school partnerships we forge each year and the immense power of collaboration. We see this recognition as much an award for every school that has shared in our mission over the years as it is for us. It highlights the profound impact we achieve together when committed schools and dedicated volunteers unite to support young people.

The journey to recognition

The application process for this award was rigorous, and demanded extensive thinking, planning, and structuring to distill all the elements that make our partnerships so impactful and unique within a strict 5,000-character limit. We took a Unique Selling Point (USP) approach, detailing six key aspects of our partnerships, complemented by powerful references from schools, compelling pupil case studies, and endorsements from funders.

The competition was incredibly tough, making this win a truly humbling testament to the solution we provide to schools striving to narrow the attainment gap.

This award fuels our determination to continue forging strong, collaborative partnerships, ensuring that even more young people facing disadvantage receive vital academic support to level the playing field. 

How can I get involved?

If you’re from a state primary or secondary school in England, visit our schools page to learn more about our effective, low-cost tutoring model.

If you’re interested in working with young people to level the playing field for young people facing disadvantage, visit our volunteer page. You can make a difference with as little as one hour a week.

Congratulations to our Founder, Susannah Hardyman, on her MBE!

We are excited and proud to share some incredible news: our former CEO and founder, Susannah Hardyman, has been awarded an MBE!

This exceptional honour is a well-deserved recognition of Susannah’s unwavering dedication and profound impact in establishing and leading Action Tutoring. Since starting the organisation in 2011, her vision has been the driving force behind transforming the lives of thousands of young people facing disadvantage through the power of education.

Susannah collected her award at a ceremony at Windsor Castle yesterday, on 16th July 2025. When she received the MBE from the King, they discussed the powerful impact of her work through Action Tutoring. We are particularly thrilled to share that The King specifically asked Susannah to pass on his admiration and personal thanks to the entire Action Tutoring team and its incredible volunteers for all the vital work they do supporting young people across the country.

From its humble beginnings to growing into the national charity it is today, Susannah’s passion and commitment have been at the very heart of our mission to narrow the attainment gap. She has inspired countless volunteers, schools, and pupils to work together towards a future where educational equity is a reality for all.

We couldn’t be prouder of this incredible and truly well-earned achievement. It’s a testament to her tireless work and the lasting legacy she has built.

You can learn more about Susannah’s incredible journey and the story of Action Tutoring on our Our Founder page.

Fundraisers take on incredible challenges to raise vital funds

Fundraisers nationwide have rallied around Action Tutoring this year, organising extraordinary events and joining our annual running teams. Their hard work has been in aid of raising impactful funds and spreading awareness about education inequity.

Keep reading to discover the incredible challenges they’ve taken on to support our pupils.

Three peaks in three days: QBE’s epic mountain trek

Action Tutoring is proudly the UK community partner of the QBE Foundation. We’re delighted that through this partnership, QBE Insurance’s incredible colleagues have united to support our cause.

Congratulations to the QBE colleagues who conquered the National Three Peaks Challenge in May.

The team of eight smashed their finish time target, tackling all three mountains in 22 hours and 26 minutes.

An astounding £11,872.69 was raised, including generous match-funding from the QBE Foundation.

The very best of luck to a second fearless QBE team who will be taking on the same challenge in August.

London Marathon success

A huge congratulations to our supporter, Liz, who tackled the TCS London Marathon, raising over £1,000.

Liz’s lovely supporters were there on race day to cheer her on.

“It was a challenge fitting in the training for London around a young family but so worthwhile; I found I quite enjoyed the regularity of getting outside for training each week.” – Liz, TCS London Marathon fundraiser

Escaping for a cause

Inspiring University College London students took on an escape room event. The group raised £100 to help power our programmes.

Rowing for a cause: WSP Engineering’s fundraiser

Tackling an exciting but strenuous challenge, our incredible corporate fundraisers from WSP Engineering UK, took on the Chinese dragon boat race at Salford Quays, Manchester.

Despite the windy weather, the team managed to avoid a capsized boat and placed a respectable 30/44 teams. Well done!

The team raised over £1,500 that has been matched to an astounding £3,000 by the WSP Foundation. We are so grateful for the generosity.

10k and half marathons tackled nationwide

We’ve had teams across the country training tirelessly for our cause. Our amazing fundraisers in Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, and London have shown true determination to help us end educational inequity. At their 10k and half marathon events in total, they have collectively raised over £7,500 including Gift Aid!

We had some courageous staff members take on challenges too, including our Senior Bristol Programme Coordinator, Chloe, who completed the Bristol 10k.

The difference a donation makes

The vital funds raised from our brilliant fundraisers power our programmes across England.

• £100 could provide 16 pupils with high-quality English or maths workbooks.
• £500 could provide 15 online pupils with noise-cancelling headphones.
• £1,000 could provide 83 volunteer tutors with an enhanced DBS check.

We couldn’t do it without you

Feeling inspired?

If you’re feeling inspired to take on a marathon, hike, or even an escape room fundraiser, get in touch with our Senior Fundraising Coordinator, Molly, via the button below. She can help organise your event, and provide fundraising support throughout your journey.