Action Tutoring News
Curriculum and Quality: Meet Bethan
5 September 2025
Meet Bethan. She’s Action Tutoring’s Curriculum and Quality Manager. We chatted to her about what her role involves and how this influences our organisation’s approach to curriculum and quality for pupils, schools and tutors.
Read on to find out more about Bethan.
What is a day in the life like for you as Curriculum and Quality Manager?
It’s certainly varied. I oversee development of Action Tutoring’s curriculum materials and monitor tutoring session quality. My consistent overall aim here is ensuring tutors are supported and empowered to deliver the best possible sessions to their pupils.
In addition, I work closest with our maths and English curriculum leads. They definitely are the specialist brains behind our wonderful resources. I also work alongside our training manager to ensure we’re responding to tutors’ needs and providing our brilliant volunteers with great learning opportunities.
How long have you been in the team? What role did you have before Action Tutoring?
I joined Action Tutoring in 2022 as a curriculum and training manager. Before that, I was a secondary school English teacher.
What curriculum changes and milestones are you most proud of since you’ve been at Action Tutoring?
I am so proud of our newly developed Year 5 curriculum. The workbooks and session templates are vibrant and fun. Crucially, they target the skills and knowledge our pupils will benefit most from, empowering them to achieve as well as their peers.
What are the key aspects which form a high standard and quality curriculum? Why is it important for pupils, tutors and schools we work with?
It starts with a solid base of research into the skills, knowledge and understanding which has the biggest impact on our target pupils. I believe tutoring is most effective when it reinforces the classroom curriculum. Our curriculum leads enable this by aligning our resources with the national curriculum and with the latest teaching methodologies.
In addition, our curriculum materials are designed with tutoring in mind. The workbooks contain necessary advice, prompts/questions and techniques tutors need to deliver sessions most engagingly and effectively. The curriculum team also commits to continuous improvement which is reflected in regularly updating our resources, so they meet our pupils’ needs.
And finally, what do you like to get up outside of work?
As a former English teacher, I’m still an avid reader. It’s my go-to pastime between working and being a mum to a very active little person! I’m lucky enough to work from home and am based in beautiful South West England, so I try to explore the countryside as much as possible.
Developing our curriculum
Want to find out more about how we develop our curriculum behind the scenes?
Partner as a school
Ready to partner with us as a school? If you’re interested in finding out more on how we work with Year 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11 English and maths pupils, check out our page below.
A warm welcome to our new trustee: Paul Ward
1 August 2025
We are delighted to welcome our wonderful new trustee, Paul Ward, to our board.
Paul, Executive Chairman at our corporate supporter, Pantheon, has been a long-term champion of our mission. As the first person within his own family to attend university, Paul resonated with our charity’s ongoing commitment to narrowing the attainment gap for pupils facing disadvantage. In 2022, he began his volunteer tutor journey with us, completing numerous online maths sessions within England’s school settings and in 2025, tutoring face-to-face in London.
In July 2023, Paul helped to cultivate a long-term relationship between Action Tutoring and Pantheon with the view of engaging more employees from his organisation as volunteer tutors.
“I am delighted to welcome Paul to our Board of Trustees. His commitment to Action Tutoring, including his volunteering and willingness to use his network to share the work we do with a wider audience, stood out when we first met. We are so grateful to trustees like Paul, who live and breathe our values and who give their time and expertise to better our organisation. I know Paul’s input will ensure decisions made by our board deliver the best outcomes for the young people we support. I’m very pleased to have Paul as part of the Action Tutoring story.” – Jen Fox, Action Tutoring CEO
“I am very proud to take on this role with Action Tutoring, and to contribute to their work. My entire career has been in finance, and so I understand how important it is for Action Tutoring to help young people with their maths skills particularly. I have really enjoyed watching pupils grow both in their ability and in their confidence, and it’s fascinating to see in the data how the team’s interventions really help. I look forward to my new position on the board, and to seeing even more success stories in action!” – Paul Ward
Paul’s background
Bringing extensive experience across finance, legal and management consultancy capacities, since 2013, Paul has worked as Pantheon’s Managing Partner. He was then appointed to his current role in January 2025.
Previous experience includes an international role at Lehman Brothers Investment Bank as an Investment Director. Working within the firm’s New York and London offices, Paul oversaw mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance advisory services. Beforehand, Paul was a Management Consultant for PA Consulting.
Paul’s higher education background includes receiving a Bachelor of Science (BSc) from the University of Leeds, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from London Business School.
“Paul always speaks with such passion and dedication towards our pupils and our mission and is always on hand to support our organisation.” – Mollie Vessey, Action Tutoring Corporate Partnerships Manager
Why our trustees matter
Our trustees play a vital role across our organisation. Each trustee’s experience and knowledge base helps us develop our future strategic goals, and work towards narrowing the national attainment gap – which is significantly wider now than at any time in the last 12 years.
Playing a vital role in ensuring our activities and objectives align with our vision, trustees also enable our organisation’s resources to be managed responsibly. They contribute by ensuring our assets, reputation, and people are strongly protected. We are immensely grateful for their support.
Powering potential: Action Tutoring joins forces with Maro Itoje and The Pearl Fund
23 May 2025
We are thrilled to announce that Action Tutoring has partnered with philanthropist and Lions, England and Saracens rugby captain, Maro Itoje and his organisation, The Maro Itoje Pearl Fund.
Maro Itoje launched The Pearl Fund in 2023 to break the cycle of poverty for children in Nigeria and other African countries through a multi-million pound investment in the education of children living in abject poverty.
Following a ‘depth not breadth’ approach, The Pearl Fund currently supports a cohort of 40 children in one of Lagos’ most deprived areas from ‘cradle to college’ through private school education. It also provides clean water, nutrition and economic support to their families. The organisation is now expanding its powerful mission to support pupils facing disadvantage in the UK.
Maro Itoje’s thoughts on the partnership
Jen Fox’s thoughts on the partnership
Spread the word
Take a look at how you can get involved with Action Tutoring’s mission, below.
You can also follow, share and spread the word on our socials too, below!
Myth-busting: What English tutoring at Action Tutoring really looks like
28 February 2025
Have you ever felt unsure about what’s required from our English tutoring sessions? Want to find out what a session really involves? Read on as we work on myth-busting common misconceptions our tutors may have.
The first myth
Reality: Of course, we can definitely see this would make total sense. We’d like to reassure you, this is not the case!
At Action Tutoring, we provide detailed extracts along with an outline of how to explore the text. We always want tutors to be free of doing the heavy lifting.
Each session includes key vocabulary for both pupils and tutors to focus on. This greatly prepares you to unpack the text’s meaning and context. To hopefully reassure you, if English is your second language, this is totally fine with us. Our sessions focus on comprehension and reading fluency, meaning there is plenty of support in the workbooks to guide you.
The second myth
Reality: We totally understand it would feel like this. Thankfully, in no way is this all on you, our tutor.
We design our resources with model responses and scaffolds that give pupils a starting point for their creative writing. These models are fantastic tools to springboard the pupil’s own ideas, enabling them to gain confidence and independence. With prompts and structured support, the pupils have a foundation to build on, helping them develop their creativity without feeling overwhelmed. This means you won’t feel overwhelmed either!
The third myth
Reality: Thankfully, we’ve got it covered, meaning there’s no need for you to be an expert!
The tutor workbooks are packed with answers, model responses, and step-by-step scaffolds that guide both you and the pupils. These resources help you explain difficult concepts and give you the tools to address misconceptions effectively. To hopefully reassure you, we don’t require tutors to have every answer memorised. The workbooks and materials are simply there to ensure you can guide the pupil to the correct answers together. This helpfully creates a learning environment where mistakes are part of the process (allowing pupils to learn from them).
The fourth myth
Reality: We’re delighted to go myth busting once again! English certainly is a wide and varied subject including much more than just rules and long written responses.
At Action Tutoring, English sessions also explore comprehension, vocabulary, speaking, listening, and critical thinking. Pupils learn how to approach a variety of texts, express their ideas clearly, and understand the world around them through language. We know it’s not all about essays! Ultimately, it’s about developing confident communicators who can engage with all forms of written and spoken language.
The fifth, and final, myth
Reality: English sessions are engaging and exciting!
We enable sessions to be interesting, vibrant and fun, by:
- Using a variety of texts
- Exploring creative activities
- Allowing pupils to express their opinions and ideas
- Providing interactive activities, discussions, and opportunities for pupils to share their voices
Essentially, pupils often become more excited about learning when they feel like they’re actively participating rather than just passively receiving information. The sessions are also a mixture of written and spoken responses. We truly believe in the research that proves learning can also be done through discussion, as well as written answers.
Myth busting: In summary
By myth-busting and breaking down these misconceptions, we aim to show that tutoring English is a lot easier than it may seem.
With the resources, tools, and support provided, tutors can feel more confident and prepared to help pupils succeed.
Remember: you’re not alone, and you don’t need to have all the answers. You’re there to guide, support, and help your pupils grow in their English skills.
Convinced and want to sign up?
What we have achieved: Our 2023-24 impact report
6 February 2025
Education has navigated numerous challenges in recent years, ranging from Covid’s effects, to ever tightening school budgets. Pupils who face disadvantage have been particularly affected. In spite of these hurdles, we are immensely proud of the impact we continue to have on the young people who need it the most. The release of our 2023-24 impact report – which we are now able to share with you – demonstrates how tutoring continues to empower.
Solid foundations
Committed to narrowing the attainment gap in English and maths, we have built up a robust evidence base, over 12 years in operation. Our latest impact report shows we have a foundation of evidence and a proven solution – tutoring with volunteers works.
In summary: our impact report
So, read on to discover the key headlines which highlight our consistent commitment to supporting pupils, partner schools, and volunteers, during this past academic year.
The headline figures
In 2023-24, our Year 6 and Year 11 pupils significantly outperformed the national benchmarks for pupils facing disadvantage.
Additionally:
- Our programmes reached pupils located across 11 main cities and areas.
- We also established programmes in new locations including Devon, Stockport and West Cumberland.
- Year 6 pupils completing the tutoring programme in reading almost completed the gap nationally. These pupils are record-breakers! They achieved the best outcome Action Tutoring has ever reported for reading at key stage 2.
As well as this success:
- Primary age pupils tutored in maths were 20% more likely to meet the expected standard than other children.
- After completing our programme, secondary age pupils were more likely to pass the GCSE in their tutored subject, compared with other pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds nationally.
The above graphic is also crucial because:
- Teachers choose children to take part in Action Tutoring programmes who they know are at a particular risk of not meeting this benchmark in their key stage 2 SATs. This makes their achievement all the more meaningful.
Fantastic feedback
If you want to see the impact we have on teachers and the tutors who volunteer on our programmes, then read this glowing endorsement for 2023-24, below:
- 8.4/10 – teachers’ average score for our charity’s impact on their pupils.
- 9.4/10 – tutors’ average score for whether they would recommend volunteering with us to a colleague or friend.
- 9.4/10 – teachers’ average score for Action Tutoring when asked if our staff were well organised.
Read our 2023-24 Impact Report
Looking ahead
Now in its 13th year, Action Tutoring is entering a new chapter following the ending of the National Tutoring Programme in summer 2024. This brings new challenges and new opportunities for the 2024-25 academic year.
We are continuing to consolidate our work and ensure a strong platform for future growth. We remain committed to our strategy which focuses on four key areas: reach, growth, impact and advocacy. It enables us to keep a laser focus on our mission, ensuring we are having a meaningful impact on the young people we support, and are continuously striving to reach more.
The top lines for our our future – within our four key areas – include:
- Advocacy: In 2024-25 we will continue to campaign and seek to engage politicians and key decision makers, advocating for extended government investment in state school tutoring.
- Reach: In the year ahead we plan to expand the locations we are working in, especially to reach more rural and coastal areas to support pupils who are often facing hidden disadvantages.
- Impact: We are continuing to refine our tutoring resources, pupil assessments and volunteer development to further improve pupil outcomes.
- Growth: We remain committed to our ambition for growth, whilst ensuring that our targets can be reached sustainably and that we can overcome the external barriers we face.
Thank you
We hope you enjoy reading through the publication and reflecting on our work together.
Get involved: Ways you can join our mission
There are many different ways you can help us to build a brighter future through tutoring. Read on to find out how you can become involved.
Sign up to volunteer
Ready to volunteer on one of our programmes?
By volunteering for just one hour a week, either school or online, you will:
- Transform the lives of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Give pupils hope in their education.
- Share that lightbulb moment, when a pupil exclaims, ‘I get it’.
- Experience the joy of tutoring.
Thank you!
Spread the word
We would love you more broadly to spread the word on all that we do with those you know. Whether it’s your friends, family, colleagues, or someone you know who works in education or at a school, it all helps.
Here are some other ways you can support us this year.
Share our blog
One of the best ways to spread the word on what we do, is by reading and sharing our blog.
Whether case studies, policy and curriculum, or, fundraising, there’s always something worthwhile.
Recommend us to a school
Do you know of a school, or a teacher who could benefit from our work? Why not recommend us to them! They can simply email: schoolenquiries@actiontutoring.org.uk, call 0300 102 0094, or send them the link to the form below.
Share our socials
Want to get social and keep up to date on all things impact at Action Tutoring? Simply click on the icons below to follow our channels and share our social posts today.
Fuelling futures, month by month: how Payroll Giving powers Action Tutoring
31 January 2025
Every February, charities, Payroll Giving agencies, professional funding organisations, and companies come together to raise awareness of Payroll Giving.
Payroll Giving (sometimes known as Give as You Earn) is an easy and tax-efficient way of making regular donations to your favourite charities straight from your gross pay. There are many benefits to this form of giving, and at Action Tutoring, we advocate it as an efficient and effortless way to support our mission and help us tackle the attainment gap head-on. Read on to learn about Payroll Giving and how you can set it up in three simple steps!
Impactful giving
Supporting Action Tutoring through payroll giving allows us to continue our vital work across the country, supporting over 5,700 pupils to achieve their dreams. We believe that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds do not lack the drive or ambition, but the resources to help them succeed academically. A steady donation stream coming in monthly allows us to plan ahead with this vital work, and a seemingly small monthly contribution can add up to make a real difference in a child’s life.
At a glance: Where your money goes
- £5 a month could provide a high quality workbook to one of our pupils, each month.
- £10 a month could provide a DBS check for a volunteer tutor, each month.
Convenience and ease
Donating to Action Tutoring by a Payroll Giving Scheme is super easy and convenient! Donations are taken straight from your gross salary (before your tax is deducted) which provides you with immediate tax relief on your donations.
Depending on your individual tax situation, you could receive tax relief on each one of your donations. Take the example of a high tax rate such as 40% to begin: on a £20 pledge you could reclaim £8 from your tax bill, effectively reducing your net contribution to £12. With Payroll Giving, regardless of whether your tax situation is higher (45% allows £9 tax relief from £20) or lower (20% allows £4 tax relief from £20), your donation will go further at less of a cost to you.
Set up Payroll Giving today!
You can set up payroll giving by following these three easy steps.
- Check your employer is signed up to a Payroll Giving Agency, like the Charities Aid Foundation.
- Ask your payroll team to set you up on payroll giving. It’s as simple as ticking a box on your payroll system!
- Choose Action Tutoring as your charity of choice and set the amount you want to give each payday. No matter how big or small, your donation will make a difference.
Please share this with others too, by resharing the blog on social media and engaging with our content about Payroll Giving this month on Action Tutoring’s social media platforms, using the hashtag #PayrollGivingMonth.
What difference can your donation make?
“Payroll Giving is a great way to support Action Tutoring. These donations enable us to plan ahead with our vital work. It’s a really effortless way for employees to donate to us and helps us reach more pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their dreams.”
Mollie Vessey, Corporate Partnerships Manager
Fearless QBE Insurance fundraisers tackle challenge to support pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds
16 January 2025
Epic fundraising
Action Tutoring is proud to be the UK community partner of the QBE Foundation. We’re delighted that through this partnership, during an epic fundraising week, QBE Insurance fundraisers united to support our cause.
Two volunteer teams battled the Thames Bridges Trek and the Royal Parks Half Marathon, raising over £10,000 in total! Read on to find out more about these fundraising adventures.
Following landmarks along the Thames Bridge Trek
Joining a collective 2,000 person walking group, our 26 Thames Bridges Trek QBE Insurance fundraisers followed a 10 or 25 kilometre route. Passing many iconic sights – heading east through the heart of the capital – the team finished at mighty Tower Bridge.
QBE Insurance fundraisers run the roads at the Royal Parks Half
16,000 keen runners gathered together to take on the flat and scenic Royal Parks Half Marathon.
One of our 10 QBE Insurance fundraisers, Chris, who managed a personal best, loved the buzzing atmosphere at race day.
Jonathan, another QBE Insurance fundraiser, also had a memorable and rewarding experience.
Our Fundraising Manager, Kate, was there to cheer on our amazing team.
Fundraising success!
Our Thames Bridges team raised £3,408 and our Royal Parks team generated £7,084. This collectively amounts to an amazing £10,492! Thank you so much to the QBE Foundation for generously matching these donations!
This could provide high quality maths or English workbooks to 1,748 pupils, or vital noise-cancelling headphones for 327 online pupils!
Support us
Join us on our socials
My final reflections
16 December 2024
It’s time for my final reflections! As my tenures as CEO draws to a close, I’ve attempted to synthesise some final reflections, shaped around 12 key learnings from these past 12 years. I could have added plenty more, but perhaps that’s for a book further down the line!
The journey
When the idea for Action Tutoring first bubbled back in 2010, I never imagined it might become a reality, let alone the organisation it is today.
The journey has been wonderful and filled with learning. It’s been a joy to work alongside so many talented, mission-driven and values-filled people. To them, I owe a huge thanks for all their support and commitment. They’ve helped turn my dream into a reality; a reality that hopefully will far outlive my tenure as CEO!
So here goes… 12 reflections and learnings from the last 12 years. I hope they might be useful to you, the reader, as you think about your own journey.
My final 12 reflections on 12 years
1. A clear mission has been our north star
It might sound obvious but you just can’t be all things to all people or address every need out there. A clear mission and purpose has been at the heart of Action Tutoring from the very beginning. This is essential for focusing on the area we wanted to tackle and for where we could best add value.
This doesn’t mean you can’t seize opportunities. For example, we did during the Covid pandemic and the subsequent National Tutoring Programme (NTP). But, they need to align to that north star of your mission and purpose. Essentially, we’re here for our pupils and keeping them at the heart of decision making has been critical.
2. Values, values, values
3. It’s all about people
Getting recruitment, structures and a strong culture right has been critical to growth and driving impact. If in doubt, it’s always better not to hire and to re-advertise. Structures have needed to evolve as Action Tutoring has grown. The trick has been endeavouring to anticipate this and to plan ahead, given recruitment takes time.
Once you’ve got the right people on the bus, hang on to them! It’s an absolute joy to see brilliant people progress internally. Driven by our values, mission and culture, they’ve all risen to meet new challenges as the organisation has grown.
4. Financial stability (as much as possible in a charity) is critical if you don’t want to just be putting out fires
Build reserves as soon as you can and preserve them. Do this while keeping a constant eye on the longer-term funding pipeline.
Hiring great fundraising people isn’t easy. For us, raising up great internal talent has been a route to building our philanthropy function alongside external hires. I don’t think many CEOs can fully let go of fundraising. It’s always part of your role.
The little mantra, ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get’, has served me quite well in this space. It’s always worth a try!
5. A strong, competent board isn’t just a nice to have: they are the bedrock of the organisation
The board has been a critical partner in managing risk and knowing when to seize opportunities too. They enable the decision-making burden to be shared on big questions.
I believe good governance is a big key to success. For me, the chair/CEO relationship is critical. High trust, high challenge, high support. Regular rhythms with the board have helped establish strong SMT/board relationships. This includes an annual strategy day and annual summer social, alongside monthly CEO/chair meetings.
6. Build your support and look after your own wellbeing
Being a CEO can be lonely. But the CEO peer network in this sector is wonderful! Breakfasts and post-work drinks at the right moments, or a little WhatsApp exchange, have often been critical to my sanity.
I’ve found various opportunities to tap into some amazing mentors and coaches. This has met different needs both for myself and the organisation. Time spent with these people has never been wasted.
our annual in-person team day
I certainly found the wellbeing question harder once I was balancing Action Tutoring with small children. But, I know the team has appreciated it when I have, for example, modelled working a 0.9/4 day week.
It has enabled others in the team to feel you can combine a career and family (thank you Leaders Plus for all the support on that journey too!). Plus, I had the privilege of taking a month’s sabbatical in the spring. Again, I know that’s helped others to feel they can take up this offer too.
7. Systems and processes are really important (even if you put them in the boring camp!)
8. Getting out and about isn’t time wasted
visiting one of our tutoring programmes
When you’re forming an organisation, it takes a long time to build awareness and publicise your name.
Balancing how much time you spend on the internal versus external isn’t always easy. But, there are various ways to maximise time, including:
- Attending sector events.
- Asking someone for a coffee to seek their advice.
- Going to conferences.
- Getting out to our work across the country in person.
- Going on school visits.
Be ruthless about following up with people you’ve met too to make the most of all that networking!
There have been some wonderful moments of introductions or connections. I’ve often been able to look back, sometimes months later, and see the fruits of those interactions. Whether it’s on new funding, new schools, or meeting a key advocacy ally; it’s all powerful. Talking to different people also helps you stay alert to the external environment, whether this presents challenges or opportunities.
9. Branding does matter
It’s your organisation’s face to the world! It wasn’t intentional but it turned out starting with an ‘A’ has also been really helpful. I feel this is certainly true as you’re often listed first in briefings or brochures.
Spoiler alert, as the founder, one of your privileges is picking branding colours you really like! I’ve lost track of how many times people have commented that I’m often wearing the Action Tutoring colours.
Otherwise, noting when you need a refresh is worth it. I admit I was sceptical when a refresh was suggested a few years ago but the end result spoke much more powerfully to the size of organisation we were by that point.
10. Building evidence takes time (a really long time)…
…If it’s going to be more than a few quotes or one-off survey results and it needs investment.
It’s depressing that more funders don’t want to invest in impact roles. But, they’re keen to require – and love you to share – data. Certainly, banging the drum to them about why this matters, does pay off. Ultimately it will set you apart. Essentially, if we’re not having an impact, we might as well pack up and do something else. So it’s vital we can demonstrate that we are.
11. Should charities get involved in politics?
and myself deliver a petition on continuing
tutoring funding to 10 Downing Street
I’m increasingly convinced that while charities do great work tackling immediate societal issues, we need to champion the system change required alongside our delivery. It’s possible to do both well. Be the change you want to see now for your beneficiaries and use your experience and evidence to influence the system. MPs are more open to visiting programmes or having a short meeting than you might think.
An easy place for us to start was writing to MPs where we had a partner school in their constituency, inviting them to visit. Plus you never know where they’ll end up. In 2018 Sir Keir Starmer visited a programme. We’ve also been able to engage the now Chair of the Education Select Committee over a long period following her visit to a partner school in 2017.
12. Learn to reflect and keep learning
In summary
at the 12th anniversary event
These 12 years have been the most enormous privilege. They’ve enabled me to:
- See the organisation grow to national reach and demonstrate evidence of impact.
- Work with the most amazing team, with relationships and friendships I’ll treasure for life.
- Seize the opportunities, as well as challenges, learn together and rise together.
It’s not an easy time in the sector, or for schools nationally. It’s certainly not easy for so many of the pupils we exist to support and the need for our work has most certainly not gone away.
I leave with confidence that what we do absolutely works and that the organisation and team will continue to flourish, at the heart, doing what we’ve always set out to do, unlocking the potential of precious young lives.
Celebrating the difference we make: Support our Christmas Challenge today
3 December 2024
We’re thrilled to be taking part in this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge. For our fifth time taking part, we aim to raise £12,000 to symbolise 12 years of our impactful programme delivery!
How it works
The Christmas Challenge is hosted by the Big Give and is the UK’s largest ‘match-funding’ campaign. Every donation made during campaign week, which takes place between Tuesday 3rd to 10th of December, is doubled by the ‘match-fund’ pot, added to by generous pledgers and our champion funders, The EQ Foundation. This means, during campaign week, one donation makes double the difference!
This festive season, can you support us to tackle educational inequality?
Opening doors to future opportunities
At Action Tutoring, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. We are working hard towards making this mission a reality by harnessing the power of volunteer tutors.
This year, we’re honouring our amazing volunteers with our #TheDifferenceWeMake theme. By giving just one hour a week, our tutors make a significant difference to the lives and futures of children and young people, helping them to overcome challenges, build confidence, and achieve their goals.
Watch our video
Click and play our video below to hear inspiring stories from our tutors about their most impactful moments.
Why we need your support
The attainment gap is the widest it has been in 12 years. Exacerbated by the pandemic, disadvantaged pupils are 19 months behind their more affluent peers by the end of secondary school.
A solution to combating the attainment gap? Tutoring. We know that high-quality and focussed tuition can make a huge impact on the lives of disadvantaged children and young people. Nationally in 2023, just 52% of disadvantaged pupils passed maths GCSE. This increases to 65% after at least 10 sessions of our tutoring support.
By coming together, we can work towards our vision of a world in which a child’s life chances are free from any limits of their socio-economic background.
Donate to our Christmas Challenge today
Each year, thousands of brilliant volunteer tutors help us make a difference by giving their time. To truly maximise our impact, we also rely on the power of donations. Your generous donation, however big or small, will directly fund vital programmes resources:
- High-quality maths or English workbooks: Providing pupils with engaging and effective learning materials.
- Noise-cancelling headphones: Vital for pupils to concentrate during online sessions.
- Enhanced DBS checks for volunteer tutors: Ensuring the proper safeguarding of all pupils and staff.
If you’re unable to make a donation, you can support our cause by spreading the word. Share this blog with friends, family, and on your social media platforms, using our hashtag #TheDifferenceWeMake.
Thank you for your support and kindness this festive season. Together, we can make a difference and inspire change.
From abseils to scootathlons: Fundraisers take on unique autumn challenges
26 November 2024
Fundraisers across the country have been rallying around Action Tutoring this autumn organising extraordinary events. They have been able to raise significant funds and spread awareness about education inequality.
Keep reading to discover the incredible challenges they’ve taken on to support our pupils!
Scooting to success at an autumn fundraiser
Kicking off autumn’s fundraising, Susannah, Action Tutoring’s Founder and CEO’s son, Josh, took on a Scootathlon challenge. Consisting of a scoot, cycle, and run, at Impetus’ annual Triathlon event, Josh came in first, winning the whole race!
Josh raised an incredible £415 (£517.50 with Gift Aid!), which could provide online training for 166 of our volunteer tutors.
Reaching new heights
poses for a photo on the abseil platform.
A staff team of six faced a daring challenge in another autumn fundraiser – abseiling off the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral!
It’s the largest cathedral in the UK, with the 100m free-fall abseil taking place above the west door.
The team collectively raised an incredible £1,659 rising to £1,956.76 with Gift Aid! This impressive total could provide high-quality maths or English workbooks to 121 tutor and pupil groups.
“Abseiling to honour my dad’s memory while raising funds for a cause like Action Tutoring, was an experience I will never forget. Getting to share the day and take on a new challenge with other colleagues made the day even more special.”
Adriana – Senior Curriculum and Training Coordinator and abseiler
Embracing the mud
Our Communications and Media Manager, Rebecca, and four friends, tackled a demanding 10K Wolf Run. The course featured freezing swims, muddy crawls, boggy scrambles, and 10ft obstacles!
The brave team raised £430, a total of £528.75 including Gift Aid. This could provide a year of face-to-face tutoring for an Action Tutoring pupil!
Pedalling with a purpose
Tackling an incredible feat, cycling 55 miles from London-Brighton, our team of four completed a sunny, scenic, and strenuous ride.
For this autumn fundraiser, in total, the team raised an outstanding £1,204, rising to £1,481.87 including Gift Aid. This amount could provide enhanced DBS checks for 132 of our volunteer tutors!
poses after the race.
“I look forward to participating in more fundraising challenges in the future!”
Katy – London Programme Coordinator and cyclist
Take on a challenge in summer
If you’re feeling inspired to take on a cycle, wolf run, abseil, or scootahlon, get in touch with Molly via molly.cottrill@actiontutoring.org.uk. She can help organise your event, and provide fundraising support throughout your journey.
Or, want to take a spot on one of our 2025 running events next summer? See a full list below, and contact us if you’re interested in joining our friendly fundraising team.
