News & Insights 22 January 2025

Behind the scenes: how we create Action Tutoring’s annual impact report

At Action Tutoring, our annual impact report is more than just a document – it’s a story of progress, achievement, and the power of collective effort. Published each January, it reflects on the previous academic year, sharing our social impact with a wide-ranging audience. But how does this report come together? Let’s take you behind the scenes to see how we create an impact report.

Creating an impact report: step-by-step

Step 1: Gathering the data

The journey begins in September, as the dust settles from the previous academic year. This is when we start collecting and analysing results:

  • GCSE and SATs outcomes from our pupils.
  • Data about our volunteers, such as the hours they’ve given, and the areas we’ve reached.
  • Insights into the percentage of pupils receiving Pupil Premium funding.

Our Impact and Evaluation team dives into the data, ensuring it’s meticulously analysed to tell the clearest story of what we’ve achieved.

Step 2: Learning from feedback

Even before we start drafting, we take stock of how last year’s report was received. Feedback is gathered from internal teams and external stakeholders, guiding improvements and identifying areas to highlight in the next edition. Alongside this, we maintain an ideas log of themes, stories, and messages to include.

Step 3: Shaping the story

In autumn, we hold a stakeholder meeting with various colleagues from across the organisation to define the report’s structure. Together, we agree on:

  • The key chapters and headings.
  • An outline of content flow across the pages.
  • The overarching themes and messages we want to convey.
  • The production approach and timeframes.

This process helps us map out the narrative, ensuring the report has a cohesive flow and delivers maximum impact.

Step 4: Crafting the content

Creating the content is a collaborative effort involving teams across the organisation. Each contributor is given:

  • Indications on the key topics to cover.
  • A word limit for their section.
  • Guidelines for sourcing relevant images.

Once the first draft is ready, it undergoes a review process, where contributors and stakeholders ensure it resonates with the audience and aligns with our mission. All the data, analysis and facts are cross-checked and external references verified. 

Step 5: Bringing it to life

We work with an external designer who knows our brand inside out. Their job is to transform the text into an accessible, visually engaging report that’s a joy to read, and aligns with Action Tutoring’s look and feel. From infographics to doodles, every page is designed to draw readers in, make the content come alive and ensure the content is easily understood.

Step 6: Final touches and launch

After multiple rounds of proofing, the final version is signed off. Then we prepare a launch communications plan, including:

  • Social media graphics and animations.
  • Email campaigns.
  • Blog posts (like this one!).
  • Mailing of hard copies.

Finally, we distribute the report and ensure our staff are fully briefed to discuss its findings confidently with our audience. We also audit our website and other presentations and materials to ensure the stats and facts are updated in line with the new report.

What’s inside?

Our impact report is a treasure trove of insights, including:

  • The outcomes of our tutoring programmes for pupils.
  • Stories and quotes from volunteers, schools, and stakeholders.
  • Highlights of our advocacy work.

Looking ahead

Once the report is published, we immediately begin gathering feedback for the next edition. Why? Because at Action Tutoring, we’re committed to constant improvement – not just for our impact report, but in everything we do.

Our report isn’t just a summary of the past year; it’s a celebration of the incredible community – volunteers, schools, funders, and stakeholders – that makes our work possible.

The latest edition of our impact report is coming soon! In the meantime, take a look at our impact from previous years.

Read more insights

Follow us: