GCSE results day: As it happens

Hello and welcome to our GCSE results day live blog. With pupils across England receiving their grades today (at time of writing on Thursday 21st August), we’re going to keep you up to date with how pupils on our sessions have got on in this live blog. In summary, this blog will take you through a celebration of pupils on our programmes as the day progresses, while sharing reflections of pupils – and those involved – on their GCSE English and maths study.

Live updates

5:45pm: And that’s a wrap! Thank you to everyone who has supported us this academic year and congratulations to each and every pupil up and down the country who has received their results today. Thank you for keeping up to date with results day via our blog too.

If you’d like to stay connected, or get involved – including finding out about our range of volunteering and fundraising opportunities – take a look at the links below.

Follow us on social media

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5:41pm: And our final post of the day is from Elliott, a pupil at Bramcote College, Nottingham. Defying his own expectations, Elliott, who is going on to study business, economics and politics at A-Level, was predicted a grade 4 in English and instead, achieved a seismic grade 7 on GCSE results day today. Incredible achievement!

Watch Elliott’s heart-warming endorsement of his tutor and reflections on his grades below.

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4:35pm: Returning to the national picture, statistics released by the Joint Council for Qualifications has highlighted the stark regional attainment gap divide between pupils in London and the South East, compared to those in the North East.

The figures published in The Guardian today highlight the number of pupils in England in 2025 who are likely to get top grades. See more in the graphic below.

4:20pm: Another King Ecgbert School pupil we’ve heard from today is Samira, who achieved a terrific grade 4 in maths. When asked what she’d say to her tutor, Kate, if she was her now, Samira said: “I’d give her a hug!”

“I couldn’t have achieved my results by myself. Having someone sat in front of me, breaking it all down, it’s much easier than watching videos to revise by myself.”

Samira – King Ecgbert School, Sheffield (a pupil on one of our tutoring programmes)

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4:15pm: Returning to Sheffield’s King Ecgbert School, here are some more reflections from pupils on our tutoring programmes who have received their GCSE results today.

This includes Ziya, who achieved a grade 4 in maths…

“My tutor, Cheong, has been one of the best tutors ever. Thank you Cheong.”

Ziya – King Ecgbert School, Sheffield (a pupil on one of our tutoring programmes)

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4:09pm: Welcome back to the GCSE results day 2025 live blog. Congratulations to Omar, who has completed one of our tutoring programmes as a pupil at North Birmingham Academy and achieved a brilliant grade 5 in English Language.

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1:05pm: We’re now pausing today’s updates. Please check back later today for more from GCSE results day 2025. Thank you for your support!

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12:59pm: We can now cross to King Ecgbert School, Sheffield, where Rupert says his tutor, Connor, is the other 50% of the equation in him securing a fantastic grade 7 in maths. Fantastic effort from Rupert, Connor and staff at King Ecgbert!

12:43pm: A check on the national picture now for GCSE results day, as the ‘regional (attainment) gap is ever present and stubbornly entrenched’, according to the CEO of the Sutton Trust via The Guardian today.

Quoted within the news outlet, Sutton Trust’s Nick Harrison has said ‘the results showed that regional differences in attainment had widened significantly since 2019 and with no signs of improving’.

With this in mind, if you’d like to help us at Action Tutoring in our mission of narrowing the attainment gap, find out more about volunteering on one of our programmes for 2025-2026 by clicking the button below.

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12:27pm: A headteacher at a school signed up to one of our tutoring programmes says 81% of pupils have achieved a grade 4 in GCSE English and maths, with thanks for this success including acknowledging those involved from Action Tutoring. You can watch Bramcote College’s Heidi Gale’s testimonial, below.

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11:43am: We now hear from Victoria, who hopes to pursue software development as a future career path. She reflects on the benefits of tutoring she’s received on one of our English programmes and explains why she’d recommend tutoring to other pupils facing disadvantage.

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11:18am: Time to hear now from Charlie, another pupil at Bramcote College, Nottingham, who achieved a grade 5 in maths after receiving tutoring on one of our programmes.

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10:51am: Crossing back to City Heights in Brixton, London, we’ve got some lovely feedback from pupils on our programmes and how Action Tutoring has helped them, below.

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10:24am: We’re now back at Bramcote College, Nottingham, where a parent of Miles, one of the pupils on our programme, is sharing her reflections on the Action Tutoring programme and her son’s results. Watch the video below to share the joy of the day.

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9:58am: Pupils at City Heights Academy in Brixton, London, have also given their thoughts on their Action Tutoring programme this results day. See Khalil and Said’s thoughts below…

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9:33am: Our first feedback from a parent of one of the pupils on our programmes at Bramcote College in Nottingham…

“Action Tutoring helped my son reach his true potential. Very supportive and encouraging.”

A parent of a pupil on our programmes at Bramcote College

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9:20am: Another (hopefully) interesting fact for you…did you know GCSEs are also taken outside of the UK?

GCSEs can also be taken in some schools in India, Canada and Australia. Today, we will of course be focusing on results for pupils at schools across England, with the first feedback from schools about to be shared with you…

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9:08am: As we await results, did you know…when GCSEs were first introduced?

Back in 1986 – the year of Top Gun, the introduction of Neighbours and that goal by Diego Maradona in the FIFA World Cup for Argentina – GCSEs were first taught in the classroom, where they replaced O Levels and CSEs.

GCSE – which stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education – exams were first taken in 1988, which was also the same year the 1988 Education Reform Act introduced a standardised national curriculum for state schools, which included four key stages. Hopefully these facts will serve you well in a pub quiz sometime soon!

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8:55am: Good morning this GCSE results day. According to The Guardian, ‘hundreds of thousands of pupils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland await grades’ today.

This includes pupils at schools on our Action Tutoring programmes across England. You can view a map below of programmes across the country and see where pupils facing disadvantage, will be receiving their results.

More broadly, our Action Tutoring team will be visiting schools across Birmingham, Bristol, London, Nottingham and Sheffield to check in with pupils on our programmes, so stay tuned on these live updates!

Thank you

Results day is a key date in the Action Tutoring academic year. For the pupils we support, it recognises their incredible achievements, as well as noting the work that’s still to be done.

In addition, thanks to our wonderful community – including volunteer tutors, schools and corporate partners, and people like you – this network has played a vital role in Year 11 pupils facing disadvantage securing their desired outcomes.

How to follow us

With this in mind, we want to keep you up to date with the day’s fantastic highlights. So stay tuned on this blog and on our social media channels, which you can follow, via the links below.

What’s happening

Thursday 21st August

• Our staff team will be checking in with schools and chatting to pupils about their reflections on their GCSE journey and what they’ve learnt since being enrolled with Action Tutoring.
• We will bring you highlights from schools across various locations including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham and Sheffield.
• Highlights will include quotes, pictures and video reflections from our pupils and where possible, other important voices involved.
• Potentially, details will be shared on the broader picture for tutoring, disadvantage and outcomes nationally, including across our school network.

Last year’s results day: A few highlights

The wider challenge: Poverty and pandemic fallout

GCSE pupils on our programmes experiencing socio-economic disadvantage continue to face immense challenges, compounded by Covid’s lingering effects and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Read on below to understand the wider picture.

We are really proud of our pupils and how much everyone involved has contributed to a fantastic 2024-2-25 academic year.

So please join in the celebrations on Thursday 21st August, where we will take you through the day.

Thank you!

Beyond the classroom: What to expect if you haven’t taught before

Are you passionate about making a difference to young people’s lives but worried that you don’t have a background in teaching? 

It’s a common concern, but at Action Tutoring, we’re here to equip you with everything you need to become an effective and impactful tutor, even if you’ve never stepped into a classroom as an educator before.

No teaching experience? No problem!

The myth that you need a teaching degree or extensive classroom experience to be an effective tutor is one we love to bust! While professional teaching skills are invaluable, our model is designed to leverage your subject knowledge, patience, and desire to help.

If you have a good grasp of English or maths, can explain concepts clearly, and genuinely want to support pupils, you already possess the core qualities we look for. We understand that stepping into a tutoring role might feel daunting at first, but our comprehensive support system ensures you feel confident and prepared.

Comprehensive, easy-to-digest training

Every new volunteer participates in our Initial Tutor Training session before (physically or virtually!) stepping into a school. This engaging, two-hour online session covers all the essentials:

• • Safeguarding: Understanding how to create a safe and supportive environment for pupils.

• • Tutoring best practices: Practical techniques for guiding pupils through concepts, asking effective questions, and fostering engagement.

• • Resource utilisation: How to make the most of our tutoring workbooks (spoiler: brain teasers, session structure and activities are all laid out for you).

This initial training is designed to give you a strong foundation and build your confidence before your first session.

But the learning doesn’t stop there! 

During your tutoring programme, you’ll also receive access to our “Bright Ideas” training sessions – short online videos, each taking up to 30 minutes to complete. These quick, digestible modules help you continuously develop your skills as a tutor, offering further tips and strategies for effective pupil support.

Introducing your tutor workbook: tutoring made easy

One of the biggest concerns for new tutors is often “What do I teach?” At Action Tutoring, you’ll never have to worry about planning sessions. We provide curriculum-aligned workbooks, meticulously developed by our curriculum specialists and former teachers.

Take a look at our workbook library on YouTube:

These workbooks are at the heart of every session. They are:

• Curriculum-aligned: Directly linked to the National Curriculum for both English and maths, ensuring relevance to what pupils are learning in school and need for their SATs or GCSEs.
• Comprehensive: Each session is clearly laid out, guiding you through activities, explanations, and practice questions.
• Equipped with answers: Yes, your tutor workbook includes the answers, making it easy for you to check understanding and support pupils effectively!
• Adaptable: Whether you’re volunteering face-to-face with physical workbooks or tutoring online using adapted digital slides, the core content and structure remain consistent.

With these ready-to-go materials, your time is freed up to focus on what you do best: connecting with pupils, patiently explaining concepts, and building their confidence.

Dedicated support: you’re never alone

Beyond training and resources, you’ll have a dedicated support network every step of the way. For each tutoring programme you’re accepted to, you’ll have a designated programme coordinator. Think of them as your go-to person on the ground:

• They will introduce you to the school environment (for in-person programmes) and explain procedures.
• They are on hand to answer any programme or tutoring-related questions you might have.
• They provide ongoing guidance and support throughout your commitment, ensuring a smooth and rewarding experience.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see our tutors, many of whom start without any teaching experience, grow in confidence. Volunteers are never alone on their tutoring journey, and we’re always here to help you get the most out of your tutoring experience.”

Suzie, London Programme Coordinator

For online tutors, we also offer technical support to ensure you’re comfortable with our user-friendly platform. 

Ready to take the leap?

Your passion for equity in education, combined with Action Tutoring’s step-by-step training, comprehensive resources, and dedicated support, means you can make a real and lasting difference in the lives of disadvantaged young people. You don’t need to be a teacher to be an incredible tutor – just a desire to learn and inspire.

Action Tutoring is a national education charity whose mission is to level the academic playing field by offering free tutoring to pupils whose families otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it. A pass in maths and English opens doors to success in secondary school, and further education, training and employment after that.

Ready to take your first step? Find out more about volunteering or apply today and join our incredible community of volunteers.

Celebrating another fantastic year – thanks to you!

Thank you for playing your part in supporting our pupils during 2024-25; another year of growth and impressive tutoring impact. As we approach the 2025-26 academic year, our team has taken a moment to reflect on this year’s fantastic milestones. Read on to find out more below.

Success in numbers

In addition:

• We have delivered more than 4,200 tutoring courses, with more than 500 pupils completing tutoring in both English and maths.
• More than 15,000 learning hours were accessed by our maths pupils.
• More than 26,000 learning hours were recorded by our English pupils.

A huge congratulations to everyone across our network who has helped to achieve this success for pupils facing disadvantage

Innovative evaluation: Our Education Endowment Foundation partnership

Schools and pupils living within deprived areas across England will benefit from an increased number of tutoring programmes in 2025-26 thanks to an innovative partnership.

Our organisation is proudly working alongside the Education Endowment Foundation on this exciting secondary maths programme research project. With more than 50 schools already signed up, this means our tuition will now reach further communities nationwide. New tutoring locations include Bradford, Hull, Leeds, Manchester, Rotherham, alongside many other locations up and down England.

Overall, the unique evaluation will aim to better understand the impact of the tutoring programme on attainment. It will also focus on learning the potential to help reduce regional inequality across England’s education system.

Powering potential: Our partnership with Maro Itoje and The Pearl Fund

We are celebrating the fantastic partnership we have secured this academic year with philanthropist and Lions, England and Saracens rugby captain, Maro Itoje and his organisation, The Maro Itoje Pearl Fund.

The leading sports star launched his fund in 2023 to break the cycle of poverty for children in Nigeria and other African countries.

National Tutoring Awards winners

We are delighted to have been honoured as School Partnership Provider 2025 winners in the Tutors’ Association’s National Tutoring Awards.

Our organisation’s network – including our fantastic school partners, volunteers, funders, corporate supporters and our staff team – have been recognised for making a difference to the pupils we support facing disadvantage. The annual event is a celebration of sector excellence which features numerous categories ranging from Professional Tutor of the Year, to SEND Tutor of the Year.

Insights from our impact report

Year 6 and Year 11 pupils significantly outperforming the national benchmarks for pupils facing disadvantage is just one of many highlights contained within our latest impact report in 2025.

Once again, our report highlights how great an evidence base our community has developed in showing how successful tutoring can be.

Volunteer awards winners

We are so proud of our vital volunteer award winners, who have given their invaluable time for pupils facing disadvantage during 2024-25.

The annual Action Tutoring volunteer awards celebrate each of our volunteers who have gone above and beyond each academic year.

Check out our social media channels over the next few weeks (August 2025) to celebrate the winners.

Fundraising milestones

We’ve celebrated some fantastic fundraising achievements this academic year.

We are so delighted to have had the support of the following trusts, foundations and corporate partners, who have helped us deliver impactful work in the 2024-25 academic year.

Read on to learn more about the specific milestones across the 2024-25 academic year.

Awesome autumn and winter wonderland

Our milestones include:

• 10 runners taking on the Royal Parks Half Marathon (the majority from our partner, QBE).
• A whopping total of just under £14,000 being raised through our annual Big Give Christmas campaign.

Spring success

In addition, we had two Action Tutoring firsts in the spring, including:

• Five runners taking on the London Landmarks Half Marathon (a new event for us).
• Liz running in the London Marathon for us.

Summer scorcher

Lots more amazing fundraising has taken place, including:

• From entrants in 10k and half marathons.
• From Nich, who completed the daring South Downs Doubles cycling challenge in 24 hours.
• Corporate teams QBE and WSP taking on the National Three Peaks Challenge and the Salford Dragon Boat Race respectively.
• Our brand new #TakeTheTest summer campaign which gave participants the chance to take on our mock exam paper and get insight into our pupils’ experiences.

A huge thank you to all who have supported Action Tutoring this year!

Welcome to our brilliant new trustee

A wonderful new board member with extensive finance, legal and management consultancy capacities has joined our fantastic trustee team.

Paul Ward, Executive Chairman at our corporate partner, Pantheon, has consistently supported our organisation’s mission, including volunteering as a tutor with us since 2022.

Congratulations Susannah!

Our former CEO and founder, Susannah Hardyman, has been awarded an MBE, following a ceremony in front of the King at Windsor Castle in July.

Starting the organisation in 2011, Susannah’s vision for Action Tutoring has enabled our community to come together and transform the lives of thousands of young people facing disadvantage.

Pupil highlights

As ever, we love to reflect on the value pupils on our programmes get from their tutoring sessions. Scroll through below to see the joy of that lightbulb moment they experience through learning and working alongside their tutor.

Looking forward to this new academic year: 2025-2026

Thank you for joining us on this journey throughout the best of our 2024-25 highlights. Thank you to our wonderful community, including our tutors, partners, staff team and many more incredible people who support our pupils throughout the year.

As ever, we are excited to look forward to this coming academic year: 2025-2026. So what have we got planned?

We’re really excited to see how our Education Endowment Foundation evaluation will progress from September 2025 and how this can help us learn about the impact of our programme on maths attainment among Year 7,10 and 11 pupils.

Our CEO, Jen Fox, is also excited to be attending her first Labour Party conference in the autumn, as head of our organisation. Jen and Action Tutoring’s leadership and policy makers will be keenly monitoring Labour and also the Liberal Democrats’ forthcoming party education pledges, observing how these will influence tutoring going forward.

We’re also looking forward to welcoming many more of you to (hopefully) become volunteer tutors with us across the academic year. If you’re ready to start your tutoring journey with us, apply below.

A warm welcome to our new trustee: Paul Ward

We are delighted to welcome our wonderful new trustee, Paul Ward, to our board.

Paul, Executive Chairman at our corporate supporter, Pantheon, has been a long-term champion of our mission. As the first person within his own family to attend university, Paul resonated with our charity’s ongoing commitment to narrowing the attainment gap for pupils facing disadvantage. In 2022, he began his volunteer tutor journey with us, completing numerous online maths sessions within England’s school settings and in 2025, tutoring face-to-face in London.

In July 2023, Paul helped to cultivate a long-term relationship between Action Tutoring and Pantheon with the view of engaging more employees from his organisation as volunteer tutors.

“I am delighted to welcome Paul to our Board of Trustees. His commitment to Action Tutoring, including his volunteering and willingness to use his network to share the work we do with a wider audience, stood out when we first met. We are so grateful to trustees like Paul, who live and breathe our values and who give their time and expertise to better our organisation. I know Paul’s input will ensure decisions made by our board deliver the best outcomes for the young people we support. I’m very pleased to have Paul as part of the Action Tutoring story.” – Jen Fox, Action Tutoring CEO

“I am very proud to take on this role with Action Tutoring, and to contribute to their work. My entire career has been in finance, and so I understand how important it is for Action Tutoring to help young people with their maths skills particularly. I have really enjoyed watching pupils grow both in their ability and in their confidence, and it’s fascinating to see in the data how the team’s interventions really help. I look forward to my new position on the board, and to seeing even more success stories in action!” – Paul Ward

Paul’s background

Bringing extensive experience across finance, legal and management consultancy capacities, since 2013, Paul has worked as Pantheon’s Managing Partner. He was then appointed to his current role in January 2025.

Previous experience includes an international role at Lehman Brothers Investment Bank as an Investment Director. Working within the firm’s New York and London offices, Paul oversaw mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance advisory services. Beforehand, Paul was a Management Consultant for PA Consulting.

Paul’s higher education background includes receiving a Bachelor of Science (BSc) from the University of Leeds, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from London Business School.

“Paul always speaks with such passion and dedication towards our pupils and our mission and is always on hand to support our organisation.” – Mollie Vessey, Action Tutoring Corporate Partnerships Manager

Why our trustees matter

Our trustees play a vital role across our organisation. Each trustee’s experience and knowledge base helps us develop our future strategic goals, and work towards narrowing the national attainment gap – which is significantly wider now than at any time in the last 12 years.

Playing a vital role in ensuring our activities and objectives align with our vision, trustees also enable our organisation’s resources to be managed responsibly. They contribute by ensuring our assets, reputation, and people are strongly protected. We are immensely grateful for their support.