
Our founder
Susannah Hardyman MBE, the visionary founder and former CEO of Action Tutoring, transformed a simple yet powerful idea into a national movement for educational equity.
She was inspired to start Action Tutoring following experiences working in the charity sector and as a private tutor, recognising the potential to make the benefits of tutoring available to those that might not otherwise afford it.
Read on for more of her story.
The inspiration behind Action Tutoring
The seeds of Action Tutoring were sown in 2008. Susannah, working in the charity sector and tutoring privately on evenings and weekends, recognised a profound inequity. Private tutoring was booming, yet it remained out of reach for those who could benefit most – young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“It was distinctly unfair that private tutoring was the domain of those who could afford it. I realised there must be plenty of recent graduates like me who’d be willing to tutor for free for those who couldn’t otherwise afford it.”
From this realisation grew the vision for Action Tutoring: to make high-quality, volunteer-led tutoring accessible to pupils facing disadvantage, bridging the attainment gap and unlocking doors to future opportunities.
Building a movement
By 2010, while working at the Shaftesbury Partnership, Susannah refined her vision. Conversations with socially minded colleagues and in-depth research revealed a gap in the market: there were mentoring and literacy programmes, but no academic tutoring initiatives focused on the ‘forgotten middle’ – pupils neither high achievers nor at risk of exclusion, but in need of support to reach their potential.
The first tutoring sessions took place in 2011, targeting Year 11 pupils in Peckham and East London. Delivered by a group of friends and volunteers, these sessions tested the programme’s viability:
- Would pupils attend?
- Could enough volunteers be recruited?
- Would schools see the value?
- Could the data show an impact?
The answers to all four were resoundingly positive, and the success of those first programmes laid the foundation for the Action Tutoring model.
A name to reflect a mission
Initially called “Finish Line Tutors,” the organisation rebranded in September 2011. Susannah explains:
“Finish Line implied an ending, but Action Tutoring needed a name that reflected our mission – that achieving good grades is just the beginning, unlocking futures for young people.”
The name ‘Action Tutoring’, proposed by her now-husband, captured the energy and purpose of the organisation perfectly.
Leading with passion and vision
Over the years, Susannah built Action Tutoring into a thriving charity, partnering with hundreds of schools and recruiting thousands of volunteer tutors. Her leadership was characterised by her dedication to the mission, a collaborative spirit, and an ability to inspire others to join the cause.
Susannah’s commitment extended to advocating for tutoring to be embedded in the UK education system, addressing challenges like the ongoing effects of the pandemic and financial pressures on schools.
Farewell and a new chapter
In December 2024, Susannah bid farewell to Action Tutoring, passing the baton to Jen Fox, former Deputy CEO who twice held the interim CEO role during Susannah’s maternity leave.
In the same month, Susannah was awarded an MBE for her incredible dedication and impact as the founder and leader of Action Tutoring. Susannah is now the CEO at Impetus, one of Action Tutoring longest-term funders.
Susannah leaves behind a legacy of impact, with Action Tutoring now a cornerstone of educational support for young people across the UK. Learn more about Action Tutoring’s origins on Our story, or read Susannah’s final reflections blog; outlining 12 learnings from the 12 years of her leadership.