Sofie: Gaining belonging and joy through tutoring on International Women’s Day

From feeling like an outsider, to gaining belonging and joy through tutoring, as part of International Women’s Day, Action Tutoring volunteer Sofie describes her eventful education experience.

Sofie remembers the moment which “completely crushed” her. Pulled aside after one of her A Level lessons, she received devastating feedback.

“My teacher told me, ‘I’m just not sure you can keep up with the boys’,” Sofie says. “I already had fairly low confidence. Maths was one thing I felt good at, where I could relax, enjoying school, even when everything else was difficult. At the time, the comment made me question something which felt part of my identity.

“Given I was thinking seriously about my university options and had long planned to study a maths degree, hearing my teacher suggesting I select an easier subject really knocked me. Instead, I researched courses with lower entry requirements, assuming my dreams were no longer possible.”

Support from Sofie’s parents and a “fantastic, really passionate, female maths teacher” helped put those comments in context, she says.

Working today as a digital product designer at NatWest Group, Sofie reflects on how far she has come from that uncertainty.

Tutoring lifeline

Earlier in her school years, classroom chaos had already affected Sofie’s confidence. She says: “Chairs were thrown around the room. During that time, I shut down, losing love for maths and learning.”

Positivity increased when, at 14-years-old, Sofie’s parents found her a tutor; kickstarting her tutoring journey. Sofie says: “My tutor helped me fall in love with maths again. Back then both my parents and my tutor understood tutoring wasn’t about improving grades for me – it was to help me slowly rebuild my confidence and relationship with maths. Tutoring provided the right support at the right time.”

Exploring maths ideas not on the syllabus, and working with numbers, patterns and problem solving without pressure or judgement, Sofie says this tutoring experience was vital. Aged 17, Sofie returned to tutoring during her A Levels, where she says one-to-one support helped her remain calm and manage increased pressure.

“It’s unbelievable how one hour of tutoring per week helped,” Sofie says. “Exam pressure really overwhelmed me. Thankfully, my tutor helped make learning fun again. Tutoring enabled me to ask questions and build understanding at my own pace.”

With her teacher, tutor and parents’ encouragement, Sofie applied to study maths at the University of Sheffield. She adds: “I got accepted and it was one of my best ever decisions.”

Empowering girls through Action Tutoring volunteering

So where is Sofie on her tutoring journey today? Her personal experience has supported her own progression, and empowered her to give back. Joining Action Tutoring in October 2024, Sofie has tutored on several Year 6, Year 10 and Year 11 maths programmes. A charity supporting pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds with their English and maths education, Action Tutoring’s cause resonated with Sofie.

Sofie says: “When I discovered Action Tutoring, I knew I’d found a purpose. I could support young people who really needed tutoring help but weren’t as lucky as I was. Not every child has parents who can secure tutoring so it felt right to help.”

So how has Sofie found her tutoring sessions? She says one particularly memorable experience tutoring two Year 11 female pupils last year remains strong. “They were initially both very hesitant to speak up or attempt questions,” Sofie says. “Unless they felt they had the right answer, they’d stay quiet or giggle to avoid embarrassment.”

Encouraging the pupils to discuss their thinking, Sofie says this inspired change.

“By responding positively to one of the girls answering a question, I saw her confidence grow immediately,” she adds. “This meant they both gradually started answering questions more freely without anxiety, explaining their thinking, and asking questions without worrying about being wrong. 

“Seeing this incredible real life impact has stayed with me. It inspired me to continue tutoring. It reinforced tutoring goes beyond improving results, it’s helping pupils, particularly girls, feel confident and capable in the world, and that they belong in any room.”

Meaningful maths

This experience underpins the foundation Sofie believes she received in maths and in tutoring itself. As a woman working within the science, technology, engineering and mathematics sector, the tutoring environment Sofie experienced as a teenager then simultaneously played a “pivotal part” in being accepted onto the NatWest Technology Solutions internship and graduate programme.

Sofie says: “Instead of focusing on what I should already know, my school tutor emphasised curiosity and understanding why things worked. By stepping outside the syllabus and making maths enjoyable, my confidence naturally returned. This mindset has really helped me in employment, where I adopt different approaches and apply transferable problem-solving skills useful far beyond the classroom.”

Being grateful for this rich experience, how does Sofie feel this has influenced her tutoring?

“I consistently focus on creating a calm, supportive environment where pupils feel safe asking questions,” she adds. “I also reward pupils for showing their thinking, reminding them mistakes are part of learning.

“I’m mindful someone can be capable while still doubting themselves, so when I tutor, I work on confidence, encouraging pupils’ curiosity, as much as maths itself. Enabling pupils to see they belong in maths and can succeed feels vital, because I personally know how powerful that belief is.”

Skills through signing up

It’s not only giving back to pupils through tutoring for Sofie. It’s also how much volunteering has helped develop Sofie’s own skillset. “Tutoring has sharpened my awareness of how confidence shows up, or not, in groups,” Sofie adds. “I’ve applied this knowledge when mentoring junior designers and graduates at work. Drawing on my tutoring experience, I’ve tried to create safe one-to-one or small group spaces where colleagues can share ideas in a less pressured way, while celebrating their work and reinforcing their contributions so they feel confident and valued.”

And how much does Sofie recommend tutoring to those considering signing up?

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By signing up, volunteers can tutor either online or in person for just an hour a week (no previous tutoring or teaching experience is required).

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