Tutoring journeys: From volunteer to teacher

For many, the idea of teaching is a distant aspiration – a rewarding career path, but one that can be blocked by a lack of classroom experience or the demands of a busy professional life. But what if the confidence and experience needed to make that leap were available with a flexible, one-hour-a-week commitment?

At Action Tutoring, we see incredible people using their time as volunteers to gain genuine classroom experience, test their calling, and ultimately step into teacher training with a head start. Here, three of our former volunteers share how their tutoring journeys became the key stepping stone in their pathway to teaching.

Rich: The confidence to change course completely

For 15 years, Rich worked in the world of financial services, but part of him always felt teaching was his true calling. After stepping back from the corporate “coalface,” he found himself ready for a new purpose – one focused on helping individuals again, but in a different way.

‘I aspired to help people, but I needed the confidence to take the plunge into teaching,’ Rich explains. ‘Action Tutoring was the missing piece of the puzzle.’

Volunteering provided him with the opportunity to spend time in a school environment, seeing the direct impact of his work. Rich found that this experience was the “keystone” that gave him the absolute certainty he needed. Now deep into his on-the-job teacher training, he’s thankful he jumped:

‘I am so thankful Action Tutoring was there for me as a gateway into that self-discovery I needed to get to this place of fulfilment and feeling like I’ve found the thing I’m meant to do.‘

The impact wasn’t just on his confidence; it was on his pupils, too. He recalls one memorable moment: 

‘One of my three pupils in the programme last year improved her attainment by something like 10-15% in benchmarking assessments over the four months we had together. That was her hard work and effort – and she deserved every extra mark of it. But I, and the Action Tutoring programme, gave her a leg up that helped her on her way to that amazing achievement. Knowing that makes me super proud. ‘

Khusbu: Developing skills that cannot be gained elsewhere

For university student Khusbu, her journey began as a university volunteer placement, but quickly transformed into a fulfilling passion. Like many future teachers, she discovered the unique joy of connecting with pupils and seeing academic breakthroughs.

‘During my placement, I saw a lot of students begin to enjoy maths, who previously found it very difficult or boring, and watching them make progress was wonderful.’

Khusbu believes the experience provided essential, real-world skills that a university experience alone could not offer. By being exposed to young people of different ages within a school environment, she learned to adapt to varied school systems, communicate clearly and effectively, and master time management – all core skills for a successful teacher.

‘Being exposed to students of different ages, that too within a school environment, gives you experiences that cannot be gained elsewhere.‘

For those worried about lack of experience, Khusbu offers reassurance that Action Tutoring’s resources provide a solid foundation. 

‘There is a very clear structure and outline of what needs to be done. The Action Tutoring book is very easy to follow and makes tutoring really easy. You don’t necessarily need to have experience to volunteer – Action tutoring provides plenty of guidance and the best part is that it allows you to learn a lot and develop skills that you can use in many other fields that have nothing to do with teaching.’

Her advice to new volunteers? A bit of prep time (we recommend up to half an hour) and relationship-building!

‘Take the time to familiarise yourself with the resources and get to know the students – what they like to study, their weaknesses and even their favourite footballer (watch out for Messi vs Ronaldo arguments!).’

Tim: Managed commitment, maximum return

Tim, like Rich, was in the process of applying for teacher training and needed practical experience. His concern was finding a commitment that was manageable alongside life admin.

‘Action Tutoring seemed a good fit as the commitment of one hour a week felt quite manageable,’ Tim recalls. He started tutoring English despite applying to teach maths, proving the flexibility and quality of the support materials.

‘The workbooks provide clear, easy-to-follow plans for sessions, the training team provides extra training sessions if you feel they are required and the local coordinators are always in the room with you during your tutoring sessions to provide support as you need it.’

For Tim, the reward was personal. ‘It might not sound much, but after three months working with my group, having them thanking me for my help and taking a genuine interest in my next steps made it all feel worthwhile.’

His experience has already paid dividends in his current role: ‘Using the skills developed whilst tutoring has helped me both build relationships with students as well as understanding their learning needs, which should pay dividends when I start teaching their classes.’

Take your first step

The path to teaching requires confidence, experience, and the right support. At Action Tutoring, we’re committed to providing our volunteers with the framework to understand the curriculum, form bonds with students and ultimately deliver effective learning.

All you need to get started is a genuine interest in your subject and a desire to help young people.

Ready to discover your own journey? 

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Nervous about your first tutoring session? These tips will help!

Volunteers are the engine of everything we do. In 2023–24, 1,896 volunteers delivered over 61,000 tutoring sessions to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, giving young people from disadvantaged backgrounds a crucial boost in maths or English. Simply put, without your dedication, our mission to tackle educational inequality would not be achievable.

That’s why our top priority is ensuring you feel fully supported and empowered to deliver this high-quality tuition.

Prior tutoring experience is not necessary to join us. We understand that not everyone starts with the confidence to interact effectively with young people, but that lack of experience should never hold you back. The fundamental qualities every effective tutor needs are simple: empathy, patience, and understanding.

Feeling nervous about your first session? That’s completely normal! The ready-to-use tips below will help you prepare and walk into your first interaction with complete confidence.

Easing in to your first session

The first tutoring session is an opportunity for volunteers to create a safe learning environment for our pupils and make them feel heard and understood. In time if not immediately, your group of 1-3 will feel more comfortable and confident, and will engage more during the sessions. 

As a volunteer tutor, you can have a significant impact on a child’s attitude towards the subject you’re tutoring and their learning outcomes.

‘When I came to Action Tutoring my reading got better and I am answering more questions. Before I was struggling with multiplication, and I didn’t really like English, but after [tutoring] I’ve seen that my grades have gone up a lot. Its really helped me, even my reading.‘

Lilah, Year 6 pupil

Introduce yourself

It may sound simple, but it’s essential to begin the session by greeting and welcoming pupils with a smile. Introduce yourself, then kindly ask your pupils to do the same.

There is space within the first session to get to know your group better. Warm-up activities (which your programme coordinator will give you) like ‘this or that’ help break the ice, and gives you a chance to learn a bit about their personalities and the group dynamic. You’ll probably find they want to learn more about you!

Familiarise yourself with the content before the session

Volunteers are provided with all the training materials and workbooks they need in order to provide personalised and targeted tuition to our pupils.

We advise you to familiarise yourself with the session plan before each tutoring session. This way, you’re better prepared to answer questions, use the techniques provided in our ‘tutor tips’ and manage the flow of the session.

Ask open-ended questions

Open-ended questions have the power to challenge pupils and motivate them to think critically. This way, they are not passively obtaining new knowledge, but process it in an effective way and provide a range of responses.

Remember to be attentive, show an authentic interest in what they say and reply with kindness.

Connection starts before you speak

Your presence matters! Open body language, engaged posture, and a welcoming attitude are your most powerful tools. They instantly make you more approachable and build the trust needed for a strong connection with your pupils.

The power wrap-up

Use the last few minutes to solidify the day’s progress and use positive reinforcement.

Briefly review the concepts or problems covered, using the reflection activity in the workbook for guidance. This helps your pupils mentally cement what they learned.

Praise them specifically for their attendance, participation, and engagement. Focus on effort, not just correctness. Use concrete praise, like, “I really liked how you stuck with that challenging word problem.”

Extra tips for online tutors

Before your first online session, you’ll receive online-specific training. This quick, practical session will confidently guide you through all the Virtual Classroom’s tools and functions.

We advise that our online tutors run a browser test before the first session begins, so you can check that your network connection, webcam and microphone are working.

‘Since starting my volunteering, I have learnt that you are never too old to learn new skills.  I now have greater confidence with technology and a greater understanding of how to communicate with children and young people in an academic environment.‘

Elaine, volunteer

We are always here to support you 

All of our volunteers will an assigned programme coordinator for each volunteering programme they are a part of. They are on hand to make sure everything runs smoothly in our online and in-person programmes.

‘Having left school some time ago I certainly would not have been able to do this without some help! The workbooks provide clear, easy-to-follow plans for sessions, the training team provide extra training sessions if you feel they are required and the local co-ordinators are always in the room with you during your tutoring sessions to provide support as you need it.’

Tim, volunteer tutor

For those brand new to tutoring, this is an opportunity to challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone! We’re here to support you every step of the way. Being nervous before your first tutoring experience is completely normal; don’t let it hold you back from a rewarding experience.

‘I would say to give it a try it as I found it worthwhile. The commitment only needs to be as little as one hour tutoring a week with roughly 15 minutes prep time. With regards to experience, if you use the support materials provided by Action Tutoring and have a genuine interest in your subject and helping young people then you should have all you need to get started.’

Tim

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5 reasons to become a school governor

This is a guest blog from our friends at Governors for Schools.

Imagine influencing the lives of hundreds of young people, shaping the future of a local school or college, and genuinely connecting with your community. Next, imagine doing all of this while gaining new skills for your career. These are the opportunities afforded to a school or college governor.

Governors are volunteers who provide strategic oversight and direction for schools and further education colleges. It’s a role that’s challenging, rewarding, and deeply impactful. With that in mind, here are five powerful reasons to become one:

Develop new skills to support your career

“School governance has given me a richer range of experience… and opened up involvement in new areas at work.”

Serving as a school governor is more than just volunteering – it’s an opportunity to build skills that employers value. From strategic thinking and financial oversight to HR and policy development, the role of a school governor exposes you to a wide range of responsibilities.

In a recent survey, Governors for Schools found that 87% of respondents agreed that ‘Being a school governor has positively impacted my professional and personal development’.

The only requirement to become a governor is being over the age of 18, but the skills you gain are equivalent to those developed in senior leadership and board-level roles. Whether you want to strengthen your CV, prepare for leadership, or broaden your experience, governance is a practical and impactful way to grow.

Connect with your local community

In a world dominated by screens, work commitments, and family pressures, it can be easy to feel disconnected from the communities we live in. Becoming a school governor is a fantastic way to reconnect.

You’ll work with education leaders, fellow governors, and local families, ensuring the school/college is meeting the needs of its pupils. Governors act as a bridge between schools and their wider community, helping to put places of learning at the heart of local life.

This isn’t a role reserved for parents or teachers – it’s available to anyone curious about listening, understanding, and helping schools and colleges to thrive.

Champion representation and diversity

“I hope my presence serves as a living reminder that no matter your background, your dreams are valid, achievable, and limitless.”

Governing boards are stronger when they reflect the communities they serve. Yet right now, only 8% of school governors are under the age of 40, and 91% identify as white. This needs to change.

Pupils, parents, and staff should be able to see themselves reflected in the leadership of their school. Why? Because governors who understand the lived experiences of local families play a vital role in shaping policies and priorities that actively work for everyone.

By bringing your own unique experiences, perspectives, and skills to a board, you’ll help to ensure that strategic decisions are robust, well-informed, and inclusive.

Open doors for the next generation

“The work I do as a governor is leading to real, tangible change. Seeing students’ pride in themselves and knowing I play even a small part in creating those opportunities is deeply meaningful and incredibly rewarding.”

Every child deserves the chance to thrive, regardless of their background. As a school governor, you help make this a reality.

Governors set the strategic vision for schools – shaping curriculum priorities, supporting safeguarding, and raising aspirations. By guiding schools to connect with local industries and employers, you also help open up opportunities for pupils to see what’s possible beyond the classroom.

A rare opportunity

Few volunteer roles allow you to have such a direct and sustained impact on children’s lives. The decisions made by governing boards influence the education and wellbeing of hundreds of pupils.

From ensuring funding is used wisely to supporting school improvement plans, your work as a governor helps schools and college become places where every pupil can succeed. It’s a legacy you can be proud of, and one that continues long after your term ends.

Ready to step up?

With 20,000 vacancies nationwide, a local governing board needs you!

If you’re curious about volunteering, you can start your journey to become a school governor with education charity, Governors for Schools.

Upgrading your university experience: 5 reasons to volunteer with Action Tutoring

University is a time for growth, learning, and shaping your future. While lectures and library sessions are important, some of the most impactful experiences happen outside the classroom (and, we might argue, inside ours…).

For university students, volunteering with Action Tutoring offers a unique opportunity to build crucial skills whilst making a real difference. If you’re looking for a volunteering opportunity that fits into your busy schedule and truly adds value, here are five compelling reasons why Action Tutoring should be at the top of your list.

1. Boost your career prospects (especially in Education)

Employers love to see practical experience. Volunteering with Action Tutoring provides invaluable real-world experience that sets you apart. You’ll develop highly sought-after skills such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability.

For those considering a career in teaching, education, or any field involving working with young people, this experience is golden. It offers direct classroom exposure, helps you understand different learning styles, and allows you to practice explaining complex ideas simply. It’s the perfect stepping stone for teacher training applications or a powerful addition to any CV.

‘Volunteering was a great opportunity to develop skills, such as learning to adapt to different school systems, learning to communicate in a clear and effective manner and time management, to name a few.’

Khusbu, former student volunteer and current teacher trainee

2. Make a tangible difference

This is where the real magic happens. Every hour you spend tutoring directly contributes to closing the attainment gap. Many pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds lack access to the extra support that can make all the difference in their academic journey, such as private tutoring. You become that difference.

Imagine the feeling of seeing a pupil finally grasp a difficult concept, or hearing about their improved exam results. Your commitment helps build their confidence, improves their grades, and ultimately opens doors to further education and brighter futures. It’s incredibly rewarding and provides a sense of purpose beyond your university studies.

‘I saw a lot of students begin to enjoy maths, who previously found it very difficult or boring, and watching them make progress was wonderful.’

Khusbu

3. Develop essential soft skills

Beyond classroom experience, tutoring hones a wide range of soft skills that are invaluable in any career path.

• Communication: You’ll learn to adapt your communication style to different pupils and situations.
• Patience and empathy: Working with young people, particularly those who are struggling, builds patience and understanding.
• Organisation and planning: You’ll become adept at planning your sessions, managing time effectively, and adapting on the fly.
• Leadership: You’ll take on a leadership role, guiding and motivating your pupils to achieve their goals.

These are the transferable skills that future employers actively seek, giving you a competitive edge regardless of your chosen field.

4. Flexibility to fit your student life

We know that university life is busy. That’s why Action Tutoring offers flexible volunteering options designed to work around your timetable. You can tutor for just one hour a week, either online from home or in person at a local school. Sessions typically run before or after the school day, making it easy to fit into your lecture schedule.

You can commit for a 3-4 month programme, or for longer if you choose to stay on as a volunteer. This flexibility means you can gain valuable experience and give back to the community without sacrificing your studies or social life.

‘Because it’s only an hour or so at a time, it’s easy to schedule around uni and part-time work. My advice would be to treat it like any other commitment, block out time for it and stick to it. The impact you make in that short time is huge.’

Amelia, student at Newcastle University

5. Grow your network and join a community

University is a time for building your personal and professional network, and volunteering with Action Tutoring is an excellent way to do it. You’ll be joining a diverse community of tutors and staff who are all working towards a shared goal.

You’ll connect with fellow volunteers from different universities and walks of life, and have the opportunity to share experiences and best practices. Not only will you meet like-minded people who are passionate about giving back, but you’ll also build professional relationships with Action Tutoring staff who are experts in the education sector.

Volunteering with Action Tutoring is about giving back, but also investing in yourself and your future. You’ll gain skills, build confidence, and make a profound difference to young people who truly need your support.

‘You should absolutely give it a go! Each programme is one session for one hour per week, and you can choose to tutor in as many or as little programmes as you like, offering great flexibility to fit around your other commitments.

I also had no prior experience before starting but it is something that you can pick up very quickly and continuously improve throughout. Action Tutoring also provide you with exemplary resources and training that, no matter your experience, will equip you with everything you need to be a great tutor.’

Cameron, student at Newcastle University 

Ready to upgrade your university experience? Find out more about becoming a volunteer tutor with Action Tutoring and apply today!

Action Tutoring at Labour Party Conference – how tutoring is integral to education and economic growth

Leading education voices have come together at this year’s Labour Party Conference to outline a dynamic vision for the future of tutoring.

Action Tutoring partnered with the Education Policy Institute, Get Further and Tutor Trust and Richard Quigley, MP for the Isle of Wight, at the event in Liverpool on Tuesday, 30th September, where they held a panel on ‘a new tutoring model for breaking down barriers to opportunity and supporting economic growth’. Powerful testimony was shared by Steve Gittins, Executive Headteacher from St Peter’s CoE in Newcastle, who has partnered with Action Tutoring for many years, having seen first hand the difference it makes to his pupils.

Why and what now?

The topic comes amidst increasing challenges facing the UK economy and education sector, including:

• Inequality continuing to rise.
• Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are far more likely to achieve lower grades than their peers and far less likely to progress to higher level study or sustained employment.

Tutoring is one of the most effective interventions for addressing these challenges by closing the attainment gap for under-resourced young people. But following the end of funding through the National Tutoring Programme and 16-19 Tuition Fund income in 2024, schools have struggled to access it. This means pupils facing disadvantage are falling further behind their non-disadvantaged peers, including within GCSE maths and English.

With the national attainment gap significantly wider now than at any time in the last 12 years, policymakers, school leaders and education experts are collaborating to address what a purposeful approach to tutoring can look like.

Action Tutoring CEO, Jen Fox, said: “I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to attend the Labour Party Conference and discuss the transformational impact tutoring can have on those facing disadvantage. With our fantastic partners at the Education Policy Institute, Get Further and Tutor Trust, we have outlined how integral a role tutoring can play in growing the economy alongside increasing equity in our education system.

“As highlighted by evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation, tutoring continues to be a key intervention in helping to narrow the attainment gap and in reaching disengaged young people.

“We believe that by adopting a state-funded tutoring model, this can help achieve the Labour Government’s ambitions of sustainable and strategic change, growth, and delivery of its five missions for Britain, including within education, by breaking down the barriers for opportunity at every stage.”

Tutoring’s economic benefits

And the argument for state-funded tutoring isn’t just a social justice issue; the benefits to the economy are clear. In a 2024 paper, Public First calculated that for every £1 spent on tutoring, £6.58 is returned to the economy. In a climate where economic growth is everything that a Labour Government is chasing, investing in tutoring seems like the closest you get to a sound investment.

Find out more and get involved

Highlights from our dedicated summer fundraisers

Fundraisers nationwide tackled incredible challenges this summer. From endurance bike rides to mountain treks, discover the epic efforts they went to, to support pupils and help us end educational inequality.

Trekking for equity: QBE’s National Three Peaks Challenge

Action Tutoring is the proud 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 second team of QBE colleagues who conquered the National Three Peaks Challenge in August. The challenge entails climbing the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales. This includes an impressive 23 mile walking distance and a whopping 3,064 metres (10,052ft) climb. Find out more on the Three Peaks Challenge website.

“Back from one of the hardest and most rewarding things I’ve ever done. We were blessed with great weather for two to three peaks, amazing teammates and drama-free journeys in between, and finished in an incredible 22 hours 13 minutes.” –
Hannah Haddrill, Business Manager at QBE and Three Peaks fundraiser.

From scaling Snowdon, Scafell Pike, and Ben Nevis, an astounding £7,796.95 was raised, including generous match-funding from the QBE Foundation.

Cycling for 24 hours: Nich’s South Downs Way Double Challenge

A huge congratulations to our Director of Finance and Operations, Nich, who tackled the epic South Down’s Way Double, raising over £1,500.

Watch Nich’s video below for an insight into his preparation for the challenge.

Nich completed the 200 mile challenge back in Winchester in an incredible 24.5 hours.

Reaching new heights at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

A courageous team of six faced a daring challenge – walking 47 metres above the Tottenham Hotspur pitch. Completing this challenge at the Premier League football club’s North London home, heights included moving over a daunting glass walkway! One of the team, Adam, also fearlessly took on a free-fall abseil from the stadium.

Raising over £1,600, the team had a great time and said it was “only a little nerve-wracking!”

10k and 21k distances completed for our pupils

This summer has seen many amazing fundraisers take on 10k and half marathon distances to support our vital work. This includes The Saucony London 10k, Great North Run, The Big Half and Cheltenham Half Marathon.

“The race had an incredible festival atmosphere with live music en route and huge crowds cheering us on! Running it for a great cause made it all the more enjoyable and rewarding.” – Mollie, Action Tutoring Corporate Partnerships Manager and Great North Run fundraiser.

“It was an amazing experience and knowing that I was running for such a meaningful cause made it even more enjoyable and rewarding!” – Kalina, QBE Data Engineer and Big Half fundraiser.

And a huge good luck to our QBE team taking on the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October!

Want to get involved? Our events for 2026

We’re really pleased to soon be announcing yet another upcoming exciting spring and summer 2026 event calendar. If you’d like to hear about fundraising with us, you can subscribe to our newsletter below!