Insights

Donating to children’s charities: A vital investment for a better future

Supporting causes that improve the lives of children and young people has a positive domino effect on their future life outcomes

There has been a 15% drop in people listing ‘children and young people’ as their favourite cause, as compared to a decade ago. This distressing news has been shared in a new report by nfpResearch in Charity Times. More alarmingly, it mentioned the decrease in favouritism for children’s causes may continue to dip.

Children and young people are one of the most vulnerable populations in society. In recent years, they’ve had to navigate unprecedented challenges of pandemic disruption to their education and rising cost of living. Yet, there appears to be diminishing support for children’s charities and the appetite for giving to related causes to improve the lives and outcomes of children.

Addressing the needs of children

Children’s charities tirelessly strive to provide essential resources – shelter, sustenance, educational support, and mental health assistance – to children in dire need. These causes serve as the poignant reminders of the stark realities faced by many children. They need the collective, national support and compassion by keeping the causes running in the best interest of every child, especially the disadvantaged.

Investing in children’s charities goes beyond philanthropy; it is a tangible investment in realising the boundless and infinite potential of the most innocent and marginalised among us to attain a more promising future.

The domino effect

The impact of support for children’s charities extends far beyond immediate assistance. Take the work we do at Action Tutoring for example – by equipping pupils with subject knowledge, confidence, and resilience through tutoring, we set them on a trajectory for greater lifetime success and increased potential earnings.

Statistics indicate that without passing SATs, only 28% of pupils attain national standards at the GCSE level, significantly limiting their future opportunities. Supporting charities like Action Tutoring offers underperforming and disadvantaged pupils the key to access opportunities that not only strengthen the UK economy but also cultivate a more productive workforce.

Additionally, with maths and English GCSE pass grades, young people extend their lifetime earnings which also has a positive effect on their physical and mental health in later life.

The aforementioned impact of access to better educational resources speaks to only one facet by which children’s charities can impact the lives of young people and their future. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been multifaceted and attacked the many vulnerabilities faced by children and young people all across the country. Supporting charities addressing their needs not only alleviates economic burdens on society but also represents an investment in a self-sustaining and prosperous future.

Consider the crucial work and profound impact of young people’s charities like Action Tutoring, who are dedicated to dismantling the chains of disadvantage that can reduce a child’s life chances.

How to help us

With Action Tutoring, your support can come in the form of volunteering as a tutor for an hour a week, making a donation, helping to fundraise, or advocating for better policies to support the disadvantaged young people we serve. 

By donating as little as £6, you can provide one of our pupils with a workbook to help them build critical maths skills. Alternatively, donating just one hour per week of your time can profoundly impact a child’s grades ahead of their life-changing exams.

Children and young people need your support today more than ever. Renew your love for causes that impact their lives to help break the cycles of disadvantage that children are often born into.

Black History Month: Breaking barriers in education for better outcomes

October is Black History Month in the UK – a time to celebrate the historic achievements and contributions of the Black community. For us, it’s also a prime opportunity to take a closer look at the state of education for young Black people and explore ways to make it more fair and inclusive for the future.

Before the pandemic’s disruption to learning, pupils from Black ethnic backgrounds, on average, scored the lowest GCSE pass rates among all major ethnic groups. However, the most recent GCSE results show remarkable progress, as Black students achieved English and math pass rates similar to their peers from other ethnic backgrounds.

How can we ensure this positive trajectory continues to enable even better outcomes for young Black people in education and as they progress into employment or training?

As part of our Black History Month activities at Action Tutoring, our PR, Media and Policy manager, Henry Derben had a thought-provoking chat with Hannah Wilson, co-founder of Diverse Educators, development consultant, coach, and trainer of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practice. With Hannah’s extensive background in education, including roles such as head of secondary teacher training, executive headteacher, and vice-chair of a trust board, the conversation delved into the critical issue of enhancing educational outcomes for young Black students.

Here are highlights of the dialogue:

Do you think the UK curriculum adequately covers and teaches Black History extensively today?

Many schools are trying to improve, but they are also longstanding gaps. The issue of focusing too much on celebrating Black Americanness during Black History Month often comes up. We tend to emphasize the American civil rights movement and well-known Black figures. But many schools miss the mark by neglecting the rich history of UK Black identities. While it’s encouraging that schools are making more efforts, we should aim for a future where Black culture and identity are integrated throughout the curriculum.

We need to focus on the complexity and intersectionality of Black identities, including Black women, Black queer individuals, and Black disabled people. Our celebration of Black History should be more specific and inclusive.

Referencing a 2020 House of Commons briefing paper, which stated that Black ethnic students had the lowest rate of attaining standard passes in English and math GCSEs among major ethnic groups. What contributed to this performance trajectory?

When we look at the data, it’s clear that there is a performance gap, and it’s not just about grades. It’s also about the career satisfaction and the salary gap that many Black individuals experience. The challenge lies in the lack of representation, diversity, and inclusivity in various sectors, including education and employment. Schools need to be more intentional about who they present as role models to show what is possible. If we want to change these patterns, we need to disrupt the status quo and create a conscious investment in mentoring, coaching, and advocating for individuals to access opportunities that might not have been available to them otherwise.

Representation within the workforce is another key aspect. We need to address the lack of Black representation in leadership positions, not only in schools but also in higher education.

Research has shown that disadvantage starts very early in a child’s life. Children from low-income backgrounds often begin school four and a half months behind their more affluent peers. What can be done in the early years to help break this cycle of disadvantage and ensure that young Black people make progress and catch up?

It’s important to start with the curriculum. The curriculum in the early years should be diverse and inclusive. We need to focus on representation and ensure that Black children see themselves reflected in the materials, stories, and experiences they encounter. However, we need to move beyond simply adding diversity as a “bolt-on.” The representation should be integral to the curriculum, not an afterthought. We also need to consider the intersectionality of identities and recognize the unique experiences of Black children. Ultimately, we must work to dismantle systemic and structural barriers by creating intentional strategies that promote inclusivity.

Moving to the primary and secondary levels, are there specific policies that can help address performance inequalities at these stages, beyond tutoring?

It has to start with the curriculum, surely tutoring and mentoring all of those interventions like mediation support mechanisms are so powerful, we know that make up the difference. But what are we actually doing to challenge the root causes? We have to stop softball. We’re often throwing money at the problem, but not actually fixing the problems or doing things differently. We need to revisit and rethink how we structure the school day, who is doing the teaching, what is being taught, and how it’s being taught.

There’s a need for a fundamental disruption in the way we approach education. Schools should think about the intersectionality of identities and be intentional about representation and cultural relevance in their pedagogy. It’s not enough to provide pockets of representation; we must ensure that representation is consistent across the curriculum. We need to address the concrete ceiling that often prevents Black individuals from accessing leadership opportunities. Career guidance, sponsorship, and mentoring should be part of the solution to break these patterns. Collective action is essential to create lasting change.

Shifting our focus to parents and guardians, they play a crucial role in a child’s early years and education. What can parents and guardians do to contribute to positive change within the education system?

Schools need to work more closely with parents and create a partnership based on equity and democracy. Often, schools tell parents what they need to do, and there’s an imbalance in the power dynamic. We need to involve parents in the decision-making process and truly listen to their voices and perspectives. Thinking about how we work with parents and create a true partnership and collaboration. That to me, is what some schools perhaps need to revisit – their kind of plans, commitment, or the ways they work with different stakeholders. Engaging parents more closely is definitely a way of helping them get involved in schools so they’re part of that change cycle.

Finally, in the context of Black History Month and improving outcomes for young Black people, what is your call to action for everyone?

My call to action is for more individuals, particularly those in White-majority spaces, to become allies. Reflect on your own experiences with schooling, curriculum, and identity affirmation. Recognize that representation and diversity matter. Challenge the gaps and biases in the system, and work intentionally to create change. Be aware of the positive impact that representation can have on young people. It’s essential to disrupt stereotypes and ensure representation is consistent across all subjects. We need to take collective action to create a more inclusive and equitable education system.

Targeted support for young Black people

Hannah’s insights underscore the urgency of addressing the disparities in our education system. By offering targeted support, improving the curriculum, breaking systematic barriers and taking collective action, we not only acknowledge the unique challenges young Black people might encounter but also send a powerful message that their experiences, voices, and perspectives matter. Ultimately, nurturing Black pupils’ growth and well-being not only enriches their educational journey but also contributes to a more diverse, empathetic, and socially conscious society as a whole.

As Black History Month is being marked across the UK, let’s heed the call to action and take collective steps toward a more and empowering education system that taps and nurtures the potential of all young Black students.

Party conferences 2023: Key takeaways on tutoring and education

Over the past two weeks, the country has witnessed a flurry of political activity as the Liberal Democrats, Conservative and Labour parties held their annual party conferences in Bournemouth, Manchester and Liverpool respectively.

Party conferences are platforms for parties to unveil their policy proposals, debate critical issues, and set the tone for their future agenda. Party members, think tanks, trade unions, charities, and businesses converge to take part in debates and panel discussions.

Our CEO, Susannah Hardyman, joined education panels organised by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) and Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) at both party conferences, alongside our charity friends, Get Further and the Tutor Trust. The panel discussions revolved around building entrenched support for tutoring, keeping the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) focused on disadvantaged pupils and making it a permanent fixture in our education system.

As a charity that fights for better outcomes for disadvantaged children, attending party conferences helps us to advocate for broad systemic changes and drum home the long-term benefits of tutoring. With the future of the NTP and extra funding for schools hanging in the balance, party conferences are critical opportunities to engage all parties on these issues, especially ahead of the autumn statement in November.

Long-term tutoring

The Liberal Democrats have pledged to provide free, targeted, small-group tutoring for 1.75 million pupils struggling with their studies. The party’s education spokesperson, Munira Wilson MP, said the commitment is aimed at filling the void left by the National Tutoring Programme, which is set to end next year. Read more in our blog.

Joining our CEO for the panel discussion on fixing educational disparities across the UK at the Labour Party conference were Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel DeSouza, Tutor Trust CEO Edward Marsh, Get Further CEO Sarah Waite and Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, Kate Green.

The panel’s general consensus was that tutoring should be targeted at more disadvantaged young people who need it. Agreeing with Susannah that the NTP needs to be “unashamedly focused on disadvantaged children,” Dame Rachel charged the Labour Party to support tutoring but focus it on those kids who most need it in the most disadvantaged areas.

“We need to intensively support kids in schools. Tutoring is a key part of that support but needs to be targeted and delivered through high-quality tutors to support disadvantaged children across the country.”

Dame Rachel

Referencing some key findings from the Future of Tutoring report by Public First, Susannah said “Tutoring doesn’t just tackle academic disparities but also has wider, spill over benefits. Teachers reported an increase in pupil confidence, attendance, and relationships with others.”

Review the NTP

In a Q&A session, shadow education secretary, Bridget Phillipson voiced Labour’s intention to review and rectify the challenges of the National Tutoring Programme, introduced by the current government, as part of a broader effort to address the enduring impact of Covid-19 on education. She expressed eagerness to explore how to provide more tailored support for children to help them recover lost learning, both in the short term and long term.

“We know that the pandemic has had an impact and will cast a long shadow over the next decade and more because the government failed to deliver a proper plan”

Phillipson said, expressing interest in looking at effective interventions

Recommendations for the NTP

On the panel discussing tutoring for the future at the Conservative Party conference, Susannah called for the reinstatement of the pupil premium targets, small group tutoring and extra funding for schools to achieve the goal of the NTP of education recovery and closing the attainment gap.

“NTP hasn’t stayed true to its vision of being focused on the disadvantaged with the removal of pupil premium targets and change of group sizes. The recommendations for the NTP to succeed are: focus resources on the most disadvantaged children, stay true to the evidence base, retain the 1 to 3 group size and increase funding for take up.”

Susannah

Susannah reiterated these NTP recommendations in a recent op-ed in TES to increase uptake and impact of the initiative and narrow the attainment gap.

As the NTP approaches its final year in 2024, there is a legitimate concern that the progress made in integrating tutoring into schools, particularly its role in supporting post-COVID recovery, may be lost if the plugs are pulled. With the attainment gaps at primary and secondary levels widening, it is important, now more than ever, to make high-quality tutoring widely accessible, especially for pupils from low-income families and disadvantaged communities.

“This is not the time to withdraw this critical support. To enable schools to effectively plan for the long-term integration of tutoring, they require early clarity on the continuation of funding. Government should be fully committed to making tutoring a mainstay in our education system.”

Susannah

Tutor Trust CEO, Edward Marsh, in his reflections on party conference season published on LinkedIn said “While it’s reassuring that all three parties have recognised that tutoring is a vital tool in providing greater equity and a fairer education system for all, there’s still a lot of work to be done.”

Key education-related announcements at the party conferences

The Conservative Party led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in his speech that bolstering education was “the closest thing we have to a silver bullet” describing it as “the best economic policy, the best social policy, the best moral policy“. Although this is an encouraging rhetoric, more is needed in terms of actions and policy to demonstrate this commitment practically.

Combining post-16 qualifications

One striking announcement was the merging of A-levels and T-levels into a novel qualification known as the Advanced British Standard. The change would see all 16-to 19-year-olds in England typically study five subjects, including some English and maths till age 18.

Sunak said this merger would establish parity between technical and academic education, guaranteeing that all young individuals graduate with a strong foundation in mathematics and English. This policy pivot marked a departure from the implementation of T-level qualification, which was introduced by the government previously.

Tax breaks for teachers

Sunak also announced a commitment to provide up to £30,000 financial incentive for key subject teachers as a reward for doing one of the most valuable jobs in our society. “In order to attract and retain more teachers, those who teach key subjects in schools – and, for the first time, in our further-education colleges too – will receive special bonuses of up to £30,000, tax-free, over the first five years of their career,” Sunak said.

Funding for maths education

In a follow-up to his earlier announcement for maths to be made compulsory for some pupils till 18 to tackle the ‘anti-maths mindset,’ the prime mister pledged an additional £600 million, to be disbursed over a span of two years, aimed at bolstering the training of mathematics teachers and supporting students in their compulsory GCSE resits for mathematics and English in colleges. These proposed plans are all slated for consultation, with potential implementation from the 2033-34 academic year in England only.

Real-world maths

The shadow education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said a Labour government will address the persistent chronic cultural problem with mathematics through early intervention and the teaching of “real-world” mathematics in primary schools. This will include integrating practical numeracy skills such as budgeting and savings, which are crucial for professional and everyday life right from the start. “It’s why I’m proud to tell you today, that we’ll tackle our chronic cultural problem with maths, by making sure it’s better taught at six, never mind sixteen.”

Ofsted reforms

Children’s commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, shared her perspective on the role of Ofsted during the Labour party conference, suggesting that the inspectorate should undertake broader national work on youth policy and involve more students in discussions about the curriculum. She also supported the idea of Ofsted conducting a thematic review on school attendance and conveyed concerns that the current direction of Ofsted’s approach might be constraining rather than liberating.

Early years provision

Labour said it would spearhead efforts to review and craft an early years provision that “the next generation deserves.” This will include universal breakfast clubs to encourage attendance and engagement. Philipson said the initiatives form part of the party’s goal to “deliver on our ambition of a modernised childcare system supporting families from the end of parental leave to the end of primary school.”

Mental health support

The Labour Party reiterated their commitment to integrating mental health support in every school and hub. “Labour will put specialist mental health professionals in schools, so every young person has access to early support, resolving problems before they escalate.”

Keep fighting beyond party conferences

The challenges confronting children and young people, along with the ongoing struggles with school funding and staffing, are huge. It’s clear we’re a long way from Covid recovery – rather, the post effects from the pandemic disruption will linger on in the education system for years to come. 

As an education charity, we remain committed to advocating for better outcomes for disadvantaged children and young people by working across party lines, prioritising solutions to their needs and influencing policies in their best interest.

Sharing your volunteering experience with your LinkedIn network

Catch the attention of potential employers and impress your network by highlighting your tutoring experience.

Our Marketing and Communications team recently attended a workshop all about maximising our personal LinkedIn profiles. We want to share some of our learnings with our volunteer network to help you get the most out of using the platform.

LinkedIn is a career-focused social network that has evolved into a great platform for amplifying achievements, sharing experiences, and becoming a recognised voice in a particular industry or network.

As a volunteer tutor, you already have good knowledge of education, working with young people, and an interest in tackling education inequality. You are well placed to start your journey to becoming a thought leader in these fields.

Maximise your profile

First impressions are crucial, so you want your LinkedIn profile to have a professional profile and cover photo, a relevant and insightful “About” section, and your passions, work and education history. 

There is a volunteer section for you to list your tutoring experience and link Action Tutoring. You can also write a short description. Try to include your motivations for volunteering, skills you have learned, and how you think it will help you in the future.

Here is an example which you can edit to match your own experience:

I am a volunteer tutor for Action Tutoring because I believe that all children and young people should be able to get the most out of their education regardless of social and economic disadvantage. There is an attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. By volunteering an hour/ X hours a week for X months/years, I have helped pupils make meaningful academic progress, opening up doors for future opportunities.

Thanks to this experience, I have grown my skills in teaching, managing pupil behaviour, explaining tricky topics and time management. 

It is my goal to work in the X industry. By volunteering, I am developing crucial skills to help me in this field.

Posting content

By posting regular content, more people are likely to find your profile and connect. It also gives you the opportunity to become a thought leader in your chosen field. 

If you are unsure of what to post, your volunteer tutoring experience is a great place to start. You could share your thoughts from a recent session, a photo of a thank you card a pupil gave you, or give your opinion on why tutoring is important. Make sure to tag Action Tutoring so we have a chance to see and interact with your post. 

Not all of your content has to be original and led by you. It is equally important to engage with other people and organisations’ posts by liking, commenting and reposting. 

Take time to follow accounts that spark your interest. For us at Action Tutoring, that could be other charities, our colleagues, and education and policy thought leaders. Each time you engage in a discussion through commenting and reposting, your account will reach new people and allow you to make new connections. 

Here are two examples of making the most of other people’s content, either by sharing a relevant article or reposting from another LinkedIn page. 

In today’s interconnected professional world, LinkedIn serves as a powerful platform for networking, personal branding, and professional development. By showcasing your volunteer record on LinkedIn, you not only highlight your dedication to social causes but also enhance your overall professional image, making you a more attractive and well-rounded professional in the eyes of your peers, colleagues, and potential employers.

International Week of Happiness at Work: Embracing the Joy of Work

Happiness and work may seem like an unlikely pair, but our work lives occupy a substantial portion of our daily hours. How we feel during those hours at work has a profound impact on our overall well-being.

The International Week of Happiness at Work, which is celebrated annually in late September, serves as a timely reminder of the significance of happiness in the workplace and the role of supportive policies in shaping a positive workplace culture.

Why happiness at work matters

Research has shown that happy employees are more productive, innovative, and loyal. Crucially, they’re also healthier, both mentally and physically, and less likely to experience burnout. Organisations that prioritise employee happiness tend to attract and retain top talent.

How we build a happy workplace

We create a happy and healthy workplace when we meet the expectations and real needs of our workforce. We regularly check in to find out what employees think of Action Tutoring’s work culture and what we can improve. We’re pleased with their feedback:

100% of our team reported feeling proud to work with us in our latest staff survey.

During our most recent team retreat at the end of August, we asked a few of our employees why they love working at Action Tutoring. Here are some of their responses:

I love working for Action Tutoring because it’s not a place where you are afraid of challenging the status quo. We are there to make a difference. We are brave in tackling different things and trying new things out. I think it’s an even greater team to make all those things happen. I love that in my role I get to see everyone make this happen and just being a great team.

Jasmin Bemmelen, Head of People and Culture

It’s just so powerful to work with a group of people who care so much about the same cause. I feel really proud to be representing that cause and helping to make a difference each day.

Beth Carlow, Curriculum and Quality Manager

Every day I wake up and I feel like I’m making a difference. With school closures and the aftermath of the pandemic, it’s more important now than ever to support the pupils we work with. It’s great to be doing that in a collaborative environment, where we’re working together as part of the bigger picture. 

Molly Cottrill, Fundraising Coordinator for events, campaigns, and individual giving

There are a billion reasons why I love working at Action Tutoring. My colleagues are amazing and everyone is super welcoming but one of the biggest reasons is that we are a charity that really cares about impact and measuring the change we can make to close the attainment gap between the disadvantaged and the advantaged young people in English and maths.

Nich Bull, Director of Finance and Operations

A quick guide to our supportive policies

Here are some of our supportive workplace policies that we believe help to create a positive and healthy work environment:

• Flexible work arrangement: We support employees to work on a flexible basis and tailor their work arrangements to their individual needs to reduce stress and increase job satisfaction. Flexible work arrangements include compressed hours (four working days), part-time compressed hours, access to co-working spaces in our hubs across the country, and remote or hybrid working.

• Mental health support: We understand the importance of self-care, counselling, mindfulness, and meditation therefore we offer free Headspace app memberships for staff to access these services and share it with friends and family. Our Mental Health and Wellbeing working group also promotes mental health awareness through learning sessions and regular check-ins to create a more supportive work environment.

• Recognition and appreciation: We encourage open appreciation and gratitude among staff to pat the back of any employee who has supported them or collaborated to achieve any goal, no matter the scope or value. Our Hero of the Month award is given to an employee(s) nominated by staff members for exceptional performance and recognition. The Hero of the Month is announced to all staff and receives a gift voucher as a reward of appreciation.

• Work-life balance: We encourage employees to disconnect from work during non-working hours is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and happiness.

• Inclusive and diverse culture: Fostering a workplace culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion also contributes to a happier workforce. We ensure all employees feel a sense of belonging and valued for their unique perspectives. The diversity, equity, and inclusion working group leads termly sessions to grow our consciousness of inclusivity and awareness of best practices.

Finding joy in work

We believe happiness in the workplace is achievable and worth pursuing. By creating an environment where employees can thrive and find joy in their roles and organisations can reap the benefits of increased productivity, talent retention, and overall success. 

So, let’s celebrate happiness at work not just for a week but as an ongoing commitment to the well-being and success of everyone.

International Literacy Day: Q&A with our Curriculum, Training & Quality Manager

8th September is International Literacy Day – an annual celebration of the transformative power of literacy and to raise awareness of the need to increase literacy levels across the world.

Literacy, as defined by the National Literacy Trust, is the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in a way that enables us to communicate effectively and make sense of the world around us. 

Being literate is crucial for everyone, both young and old, as it’s a gateway to a world of knowledge and empowers individuals across their lifetimes to make informed decisions. For children, it’s the foundation for all learning, fueling their dreams and aspirations. For adults, it’s a lifeline to personal development, better opportunities, and financial stability.

According to UNESCO, an estimated 763 million youth and adults worldwide still lack basic literacy and numeracy skills, with two-thirds being women. In England, 6.4% of adults representing 7.1 million people have ‘poor literacy skills.’

To mark International Literacy Day, we’ve asked our Curriculum, Training, and Quality Manager, Bethan Puig Nieves, a few questions on why literacy matters and what actions everyone can take to support it. Before joining Action Tutoring, Bethan previously taught secondary school English in multiple countries including Spain, Cuba, and the UK.

Why is literacy important today more than ever in education?

Being able to read confidently and communicate effectively are skills that form the foundation of success across all areas of the curriculum. Literacy is one of the vital tools to which pupils facing disadvantage might not have had as much access, which means it is all the more important that we emphasise the importance of being literate in education, and embed the development of these skills in everything we do.

Beyond education, how can literacy help people’s lives?

Being literate allows us to make sense of the world around us: it helps us to manage our finances, understand the job market, relate to a wider range of people, support the development of others, and evaluate the validity of what we see and hear in the media. All of these are essential for a happy and fulfilled life, especially in the world we live in today.

How does Action Tutoring ensure that the young people we support build on their literacy levels?

Literacy skills are embedded throughout our resources and workbooks. Examples include the discussion of ideas in texts, and working through word-based maths problems and tasks which improve the quality of writing for a range of useful purposes. Moreover, small group tutoring creates an environment where pupils who might not always get a chance for a detailed conversation with an educator will have the time to do so. This builds confidence, self-esteem, and communication skills – all vital for a successfully literate life.

As the world celebrates Literacy Day, what is your message or call to action for everyone?

Being literate is not a given, even in today’s world – those of us who have been able to learn to read, write, and communicate have huge advantages over those who haven’t. Literacy is also something that we can work on throughout our lives. Volunteering with Action tutoring is a great way to celebrate the privilege of literacy – by helping young people to build on what they can already do, equipping them with life-enhancing powers of communication and self-expression.

Building a more literate world

There have been significant strides in promoting literacy worldwide with many countries having improved its levels through enhanced access to education and innovative teaching methods. However, there’s more work to be done. 

Additionally, the digital age has ushered in a new era of the subject. Digital literacy is now as crucial as traditional reading and writing skills. It involves navigating the digital landscape and harnessing technology for personal and professional growth.

In a literate world, opportunities are more abundant, voices are heard, and barriers to economic growth are dismantled. Therefore, it’s a shared responsibility to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the chance to access the transformative power of being literate. 

Together, through concerted efforts in education and policy, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Tackling the challenges in education beyond GCSE results day

The GCSE results are in. Over five million young candidates across the country who took their GCSE exams can now find out the outcome and possible options for moving to the next stage of their lives.

Getting to this point has certainly not been easy. In the last few years, young people and their schools have braved the storms of uncertainty and adapted to unprecedented challenges. We should not only acknowledge their academic achievements but also loudly applaud their unwavering determination and spirit through some very difficult years. 

The stark reality

The Covid-19 pandemic was the biggest ever disruption to education in history. Three years on, it still casts an unforeseen shadow over the academic landscape, creating an aura of uncertainty for GCSE candidates.

Facing multiple school closures spanning months, the struggle of catching up with remote learning (and indeed, the inequality of access to remote learning), changing examination formats, and declining mental health, these candidates have demonstrated adaptability and had to forge ahead through extremely choppy waters. 

Whilst we don’t yet fully know how this year’s GCSE results will break down specifically for disadvantaged pupils, we do know that last year the attainment gap was at its widest in over a decade. A few years ago, the Education Policy Institute (EPI) published research highlighting that on the trajectory at the time, it would take 500 years to close the attainment gap. More recently, the EPI has warned that at the current trajectory, it will never close. 

We know that a key contributing factor to the disparity recorded in attainment between the different socioeconomic groups of pupils is the access to learning support and resources. The results these pupils will receive today are not simply a reflection of their ability but also a reflection of the challenging circumstances they are grappling with – less access to the same levels of support and opportunities as their peers.  All of these issues were of course exacerbated during covid, with the government’s flagship plan to address that the launch of the National Tutoring Programme. 

The power of tutoring

As the leader of a charity that has provided tutoring support for young people facing disadvantage for over ten years, you’d be forgiven for thinking I’m biased towards tutoring. But I have reason to be: tutoring is a tangible and effective intervention, yielding significant academic improvements for pupils beyond regular school lessons.

Small group tutoring has been found to contribute an average of five months of academic progress to a child’s education, according to the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) – one of the key pieces of evidence that led to the government introducing the National Tutoring Programme to try and mitigate the covid damage.

Despite still being a big believer in the value of tutoring, I would be the first to say that I’ve had many frustrations with the implementation of the National Tutoring Programme over the last three years and still do: not least that it has lost its focus on supporting those facing disadvantage, group sizes have been increased beyond the evidence base, the administration has been complicated and in the context of extremely challenging school budgets it’s been hard to be sure the NTP is really providing additional support. 

But I’m certainly not giving up on the potential that exists for those facing disadvantage to benefit hugely from tutoring. A recent report by Public First, The Future of Tutoring, has shown that tutoring has spill over effects beyond academic performance, including increasing confidence, driving attendance, and improving the mental health of pupils.

For many pupils, it’s bringing the joy back into learning:

“I enjoy that our tutors teach us through games, learning and having fun”

a pupil on an Action Tutoring programme said

Teachers in schools with higher levels of deprivation were more likely to report the impact tutoring could have. Furthermore, the report revealed that parents are in full support of tutoring too. 81 percent of parents polled said tutoring should be available to every child in state school or college and 73% said this should be focused on those from low-income backgrounds.

Levelling the playing field beyond results day

For the NTP to embed longer term, funding is a key issue. Results of the teacher polling in the Public First report highlighted clearly that without continued ring fenced funding for tutoring, uptake would seriously diminish. Yet with the damaging effects of covid far from over, now is not the time to reduce the support available for those that need it.

That’s why the Public First report calls for a ‘Tutoring Guarantee’ – a commitment for all pupils eligible for the pupil premium who are behind in English or maths to be offered a course of high quality tutoring. This would benefit approximately 1.75m disadvantaged pupils per year. With those crucial English and maths qualifications in their pockets, the doors open for these young people will be significantly widened. The benefits of that on their lives as well as wider society cannot be underestimated. 

To the GCSE candidates and teachers: your achievements are a testament to your spirit and perseverance during this unprecedented period. Congratulations on this milestone!

New report underscores tutoring’s impact on attainment, attendance and mental health

Tutoring has a wide-reaching, positive impact on the academic performance, attendance and mental health of young people, according to new polling of parents, teachers and pupils in a new tuition advocacy report published today.

The report, The Future of Tutoring, is produced by Public First and commissioned by the Tuition Advocacy Group of the Fair Education Alliance to highlight the impact, progress, and challenges of tutoring from the perspectives of parents, teachers, and pupils, plus recommendations for effective tutoring for the future and a commitment to embedding it in the education system beyond the National Tutoring Programme (NTP), set to end in 2024.

“This report, like many others, has again attested to tutoring as a central plank in education recovery efforts, with parents as well as teachers confirming the significant progress in the performance and confidence of their children receiving tutoring support. More than ever, long-term funding for the National Tutoring Programme is needed to make tutoring a permanent fixture in the education system in order to tackle the widening attainment gap and persistent absence, and to help chart a better future for all young people across the country.”

Susannah Hardyman, FEA Tuition Advocacy Group Chair and founder and CEO of Action Tutoring, a key sponsor of the report, said

Launch event

The coalition led by Action Tutoring, Impetus, The Tutor Trust, and Get Further launched the report in Parliament Wednesday, with Robert Halfon, Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education and Former Chair of Education Select Committee as guest speaker.

The event hosted by the Chair of the Education Select Committee, Robin Walker, convened over 120 policymakers, politicians, school leaders, and sector representatives, coinciding with the third-year anniversary of the National Tutoring Programme (NTP).

Before the event, Susannah Hardyman and Abigail Shapiro of The Tutor Trust shared the report directly with the education lead in the No.10 delivery unit.

Use momentum to transform tutoring

Speaking in the stead of the SoS of Education, Robert Halfon, former chair of the Education Select Committee and current Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education said he personally benefitted from tutoring as a child and understands the transformation it can have first-hand.

“Tutoring doesn’t only help students academically but also increases their confidence, improve attendance, and impacts their relationships with other children. It’s not only about the subject knowledge but supporting every aspect of their lives. Let’s use the momentum built in the last 3 years to transform tutoring. We welcome recommendations in the Future of Tutoring report and will consider them carefully.”

Robert Halfon, who was a key champion of the NTP back in spring 2020

“Targeted assistance helped to bridge the gaps in my understanding to pass my maths GCSE successfully. Consistency in tutoring helped me establish my learning approach and get fresh perspectives from tutor. It instilled my confidence. I look forward to higher education in September and a future of endless possibilities.”

Naomi Spence, a graduate pupil

Bridging the haves and haves not

Naomi’s mother, Lorraine, also highlighted why tutoring should be accessed by every child.

“Should tutoring be the preserve of a select few? No. Tutoring is a bridge between the haves and haves not. Let’s support the call to action to keep tutoring in place permanently and to benefit all children.”

 “Yesterday, when the Year 6 results were released, Pupil Premium children representing 50% of the school population, outperformed the non-PP pupils and exceeded the national average for all pupils. Thanks to the support they received from tutoring. However, we cannot continue with tutoring for pupils who need it without proper funding. It is difficult on a tight budget like this.”

Lisa Walker-Collins, headteacher of Stroud Green Primary School

Ambitious manifesto

The report lays out a bold tuition manifesto proposal to the next parliament to commit to a funded Tutoring Guarantee that all young people in receipt of Pupil Premium or fallen behind in education, be offered a high-quality tutoring provision to help close the attainment gap and impact an estimated 1.75m disadvantaged young people.

The tuition advocacy coalition went the extra mile to garner cross-party endorsement with senior figures including Chair of the Education Select Committee Robin Walker MP, former Education Secretary the Rt Hon. Lord Blunkett, and Liberal Democrat education spokesperson, Munira Wilson MP jointly calling for its adoption.

“It is vitally important that children and young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, get the help they need to be able to succeed in life and play their part in improving the world around them. Tutoring is an intervention that is proven to help children catch up on lost learning and also supports their wider needs, like improving attendance and protecting mental health. Tutoring can play a central role in unlocking the ambition of England’s children if we deliver a Fair Tutoring Future.”

Dame Rachel De Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England, who wrote the report’s foreword said

“Tutoring is a vital and proven intervention for providing effective catch up support at school and, used effectively, it can make a huge difference for children’s life chances. I have seen some excellent examples of tutoring and hope that the lessons learned from the National Tutoring Programme can ensure that it is used even more effectively in the future. Embedding tutoring into the education landscape as we move forward will be vital if we are to close the gap in attainment for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

Robin Walker MP, Chair of the Education Select Committee and former Schools Minister said

Key highlights from the tutoring report

Tutoring manifesto

The manifesto is proposing an increase in state funding from £150m to £290m a year, the removal of the requirement on schools to match-fund to access any funding, creating flexibility for schools to target tuition at pupils who need will benefit, and clear accountability for the delivery and reporting status of pupils.

“A reshaped and properly invested tutoring programme is not only essential for re-engaging young people post Covid but also to provide direct equality of access to essential out-of-classroom support.”

Former Education Secretary, The Rt Hon. Lord Blunkett, said

“Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have fallen further behind their peers during the pandemic, and are at risk of staying there unless the government reverses its decision to remove its funding for schools and colleges to use tutoring. We stand by this call for tutoring to be fully funded so that schools can support the children who have suffered most during the pandemic to reach their full potential.”

Munira Wilson MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for education said

Continuing our advocacy work

Action Tutoring is proud to be at the forefront of this collective advocacy report and to be working together with other education charities to secure the joint cross-party endorsement of the tuition manifesto from members of the main political parties.

We look forward to building on this achievement by speaking on education panels at the Conservative and Labour party conferences later this year in partnership with the Education Policy Institute (EPI) and the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ).

We believe that it’s vital we engage policy leaders and continuously advocate for cross-party support for embedding tutoring permanently in our education system to positively impact the future of young people.

Thank You Day 2023: An Ode to Volunteers

Thank you to the unsung heroes of charity

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When we think of superheroes, our minds often evoke images of capes, masks, and incredible superpowers. The true heroes among us aren’t necessarily blessed with X-ray vision or the ability to fly.

They are extraordinary ordinary people who selflessly give their time and efforts to causes that make a difference. Volunteers are the backbone of charitable organisations. They’re the ones who turn compassion into action, showing up day after day, ready to tackle any challenge. 

From feeding the homeless to cleaning up parks, from tutoring underprivileged children to rescuing adorable furry friends, these wonderful individuals are everywhere, making an impact, one selfless act at a time.

That is why we are joining the rest of the UK to mark the third annual Thank You Day on Sunday 2nd July. 

What is Thank You Day?

Thank You Day began with a handful of organisations looking for a way to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since then the campaign has grown and an astounding 15 million people have taken part in Thank You Day celebrations. Last year, 61% said that taking part had made their communities feel more united.

The impact of small actions

It’s easy to get caught up in the notion that changing the world requires grand gestures or infinite resources. But small actions can create profound ripples of positive change.  Even the tiniest effort can make someone’s day a little brighter. 

Whether it’s a heartfelt smile, a warm hug, spending an hour to support a young person or a simple “How can I help?”, these unsung heroes understand that the impact of their actions extends far beyond what meets the eye. Their dedication, combined with their unwavering belief in the power of compassion, transforms communities and touches lives in truly immeasurable ways.

The timeless gift of time

Imagine a world where everyone was too busy for kindness. Luckily, volunteers graciously donate their most precious resource – their time – to make a difference. Amidst their responsibilities and commitments, these extraordinary individuals carve out moments to lend a helping hand, becoming the living embodiment of the saying, “time is the most valuable gift.”

From organising food drives to planting trees, from tutoring pupils to comforting the lonely, volunteers invest their time to improve the lives of others. They are like time travellers, moving between the past, present, and future to create a better world for all. Their acts of kindness ripple through time, leaving a lasting impact that resonates with the souls they touch.

The magic of connection

Volunteers possess an uncanny ability to forge connections. They are the bridge builders who effortlessly bring people together, fostering a sense of community and belonging. In a world that sometimes feels disconnected, these unsung heroes have the power to create bonds that transcend barriers and unite us all.

Through their compassion, volunteers ignite a spark of hope in the hearts of those they serve. Whether it’s sharing stories, helping to solve difficult study questions, offering a listening ear, or simply offering a warm smile, they make everyone feel seen, heard, and valued. 

In an era dominated by screens, volunteers remind us of the magic that unfolds when we connect with our fellow human beings on a deeper, more meaningful level.

A heartfelt thank you

So, here’s to the volunteers who keep the gears of kindness turning. Today, we express our sincerest gratitude for your unwavering spirit, your boundless energy, and your refusal to let obstacles dim your commitment to making a difference.

Thank you for donning your superhero capes without expecting recognition or applause. For reminding us that there’s always room for kindness and that we, too, can be part of something greater than ourselves. For being the quiet catalysts of change, selflessly working behind the scenes to create a better world.

To our extraordinary volunteer tutors, thank you for showing up at every session, even when the economic climate is now more challenging than ever. Thank you for spending an hour of kindness each week to support young people facing disadvantage to build a better future and brighten their lives.

As we mark Thank You Day nationally, let’s all reach out to these everyday heroes – volunteers, supportive friends, family, and colleagues to shower them with appreciation, and let them know that their efforts are noticed, valued, and cherished.

Highlights: Committee inquiry report on education recovery

Today, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has published its inquiry report on Education Recovery in Schools in England. The report assessed the value and effectiveness of education recovery programmes in schools based on written and oral evidence.

Following the disruption to education by the Covid-19 pandemic with multiple school closures, the Department for Education (DfE) introduced a number of recovery initiatives to help pupils and schools to catch up, most notably, the National Tutoring Programme (NTP).

The Committee’s inquiry assessed the DfE’s management of the recovery programme, the effectiveness of the NTP in meeting its objective, and if the scheme was achieving value for money.

The report found that the DfE did not fully appreciate the ‘pressures schools are under as they seek to help pupils catch up’ with evidence of persistent issues of funding constraints, growing mental health needs among pupils and challenges with teacher recruitment and retention.

As one of the education charities that submitted written evidence to this inquiry, we believe in the potential of the flagship recovery scheme, the National Tutoring Programme (NTP), to help reverse the Covid-19 pandemic disruption in education. 

However, we believe that this progress can only be achieved if the NTP is mainly targeted at disadvantaged pupils, tuition delivery is of high quality, funding is increased and outcomes are properly monitored.

Swift action to close the attainment gap

The report revealed that the Department for Education believes it will take a decade to return the attainment gap – which is at its widest in ten years at primary and secondary levels – to pre-pandemic levels. 

“The 10-year timeline to witness pre-pandemic attainment gap level is too long and stands to ruin the life chances of millions of pupils across the country”

Susannah Hardyman, founder and CEO of Action Tutoring

It recommended that the DfE publish a plan setting out how it will reduce the disadvantage gap as quickly as possible and the expected trajectory, building on good practice.

Without swift action to consolidate and implement multiple recommendations from this report and many others to improve the NTP, there will be far-reaching consequences of learning loss to this generation in schools.

It recommended that the DfE publish a plan setting out how it will reduce the disadvantage gap as quickly as possible and the expected trajectory, building on good practice. Without swift action to consolidate and implement multiple recommendations from this report and many others to improve the NTP, there will be far-reaching consequences of learning loss to this generation in schools.

High absence rate among the disadvantaged

In the autumn and spring terms of 2021-22, the average absence rate for all pupils was 7.4%, compared with 4.5% for the same terms before the pandemic in 2018-19. For disadvantaged pupils, the rate was 10.4% in 2021-22, compared with 7.2% in 2018-19.

It is alarming that persistent pupil absence continues to pose a significant challenge to schools and the well-being of pupils, especially the disadvantaged. Without pupils attending school, their outcomes are unlikely to improve.

Our evidence to the Education Select Committee on persistent pupil absence contained helpful recommendations to tackle the issue including:

• Sharing drinks and snacks during tutoring sessions to reduce hunger
• Letters and text reminders to parents about upcoming sessions in the day
• Parent information sessions about tutoring and its benefits
• Incentives such as vouchers if pupils attend the majority of tutoring sessions
• Certificate presentation and awards in assembly at the end of programme
• Integrate attendance into the positive behaviour management system such as gaining points for their ‘house’ through attendance

The report charged the DfE to develop a better understanding of why disadvantaged pupils have higher rates of absence than others and take targeted action to reduce absence rates among them.

“Continuing to invest in ensuring the most vulnerable pupils show up in the classroom is critical to breaking the cycle of low attendance rates currently. Persistent pupil absence will give rise to a surge of problems in the future for young people if the root causes are not addressed.“

Susannah Hardyman

Funding constraints for schools

Although the steep subsidy cut for the NTP has been reversed, schools are still grappling with funding constraints and budget squeezes. Schools that are struggling to pay 40% of tutoring costs this academic year will still struggle to make up for the 50% next year.

Additional funding commitment is needed long-term to ensure tutoring is sufficiently embedded in the education system widely and particularly for pupils facing disadvantage.

Increasing take-up of NTP

It is discouraging that 13% of schools did not take up the NTP and missed out on the benefits of subsided tutoring. The DfE must ramp up its efforts through a campaign to win the hearts and minds of parents and ​conscientise schools on the value and moral imperative of channelling the NTP funding towards those eligible for Free School Meals.

The report urged the DfE to do more to understand why some schools are not taking part in the National Tutoring Programme and take more effective action to increase participation.

We believe the Department should work with tuition providers with demonstrated impact to expand into cold spots and areas with low uptake to ensure that every disadvantaged child in the country, regardless of where they live, can access high-quality tutoring.

Applying recommendations

The recommendations set out in the Committee’s report also include progress reports on measures for 2030 attainment targets and funding intervention when schools struggle to bolster NTP uptake.

If the proposed solutions are applied, they will have a meaningful impact on closing the attainment gap and reversing the damage done by the pandemic’s disruption to education. The NTP can elevate its reach and impact to ensure it delivers on the intended objectives of the scheme, all in the best interest of disadvantaged young people.

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