13 reasons why… you should get involved with Action Tutoring

This May, we’re celebrating 13 years of tutoring, connection and impact.

At Action Tutoring, we believe every child deserves the chance to succeed – no matter their background. As we celebrate our 13th birthday, we’re taking the opportunity to reflect on what makes our work so meaningful – and why now is a brilliant time to join us, whether you’re looking to volunteer, partner as a school, or collaborate as a business.

Here are 13 reasons to get involved with Action Tutoring:

1. You can make a difference in just one hour a week

Volunteering doesn’t have to take up all your free time. One hour a week is all it takes to support pupils with their English or maths and help unlock their potential.

Sally, a retired optometrist and volunteer tutor, says:

“Online tutoring is great – you literally can give one hour a week… If there was nobody volunteering, society would be much more disjointed.”

2. We work with schools that need support the most

We partner with schools that serve disadvantaged pupil populations that exceed the national average. We work closely with teachers to provide consistent, personalised support.

Jobe Swingler, Assistant Headteacher at North Birmingham Academy, says:

“Action Tutoring has proven to be an invaluable resource, providing skilled and dependable tutors on a large scale—precisely the kind of support our students need to thrive.

What I particularly value about Action Tutoring is their adaptability and responsiveness. For example, the Maths resources were tailored to better align with our teaching methods, and I was included in discussions about how the charity tracks student progress through baseline and progress assessments.”

3. Your support helps pupils grow in confidence

Small group tutoring gives pupils the space to ask questions and build their confidence in a way that’s hard to achieve in a large classroom.

Lilah, a Year 6 pupil, told us:

“I feel like when there’s a big class you don’t really get more time to sort of think about [your answer], because the rest of the class needs to carry on. Before tutoring, I was struggling with multiplication. Now my reading’s better and my grades have gone up a lot!”

4. You don’t need to be a teacher

We welcome volunteers from all walks of life – from university students, to those in full-time work, career changers and retirees. What we look for is solid subject knowledge in the area our volunteers wish to tutor, and of course, a commitment to supporting young people to succeed.

We provide full training, tutoring resources and ongoing support.

5. Our tutors form real connections with pupils

Tutors often form a bond with the pupils they support – something that helps with engagement and progress.

Gemma, Deputy Headteacher at Badock’s Wood E-ACT Academy in Bristol, shared:

“We had a pupil join the school with poor attendance, low self-confidence, and working below expected standard. It took us a while to get him to start attending tutoring sessions but when he did, he had an instant bond with his tutor. His attendance, attitude and performance gradually started to improve. Being able to relate to his tutor made such a difference and he went on to meet expected standards.”

6. We help close the attainment gap

We exist to tackle the unfair difference in educational outcomes between pupils from low-income backgrounds and their peers. Your support helps level the playing field.

In 2023-24:

• Year 6 pupils completing the tutoring programme in reading almost closed the attainment gap with their better-off peers nationally. Children tutored in maths were 20% more likely to meet the expected standard than other pupils nationally, while those tutored in English were 24% more likely to reach that benchmark.
• Disadvantaged pupils attending 10 or more sessions increased their chances of passing GCSE English Language by 19%, and GCSE maths by 17%, in comparison to the national pass rate. After completing our programme, young people were more likely to pass the GCSE in their tutored subject, compared with other pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds nationally.

7. Our tutoring works – and the evidence backs it

We use baseline and progress assessments to measure pupil progress. Our tutoring model is informed by evidence and regularly reviewed for impact.

8. We’re responsive and collaborative

We tailor our approach to suit each school. From adapting resources to tracking pupil progress, we work closely with teachers to get it right.

Assistant Headteacher Jobe Swingler adds:

“From the CEO to the coordinators and volunteers, everyone is dedicated to supporting our students.”

9. Volunteering builds your skills

Whether you’re developing communication, leadership or problem-solving skills, tutoring enhances your confidence and capabilities.

Aneeqa, student volunteer, says:

“I now laugh at how I assumed my first session would go – Action Tutoring has given me a great new teaching outlook.”

10. We reach pupils in-person and online

Our hybrid model means volunteers can support pupils from anywhere in England. This flexibility also increases access for pupils in areas where in-person tutoring is harder to deliver.

11. Our pupils want to be here

Pupils often give up their time after school to attend tutoring – a sign of how much they value the sessions.

Paul Haigh, Headteacher at King Ecgbert School in Sheffield, says:

“Asking pupils to stay behind school when their friends are going home isn’t easy but the fact they do so willingly and commit to the session shows how much they value it.

I often look around our sixth form and know there are pupils that would not have got there without Action Tutoring. Some of them are now looking at university as their next step.”

12. Businesses can get involved too

We partner with businesses who want to create positive social impact. Opportunities include employee volunteering, fundraising, and supporting our reach in new areas.

13. You’ll be part of a movement for change

For 13 years, we’ve seen what’s possible when communities come together to support young people. With your help, we can reach even more pupils and build a fairer future.

If you’re ready to make a difference – as a tutor, partner school or supporter – get involved today. Because one hour a week can have a lifetime of impact.

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