News

Mum and daughter conquer Sheffield 10K to tackle educational inequalities

The streets of Sheffield witnessed a heartwarming display of determination as Action Tutoring’s Sheffield programme coordinator, Rachel, and her mum, Mary, took on the Sheffield 10K run to raise funds to support disadvantaged pupils.

The Sheffield 10K saw thousands of runners enjoying South Yorkshire’s famous Steel City, with the route taking runners out of the city and into the surrounding areas before returning to the city centre for the finish.

Weathering a storm

The wet and windy weather didn’t stop the mother-daughter pair from braving through the storm to cross the finish line. They endured the weather with a shared goal in mind – to make a difference in the lives of children and young people facing disadvantage in schools.

Generous donors

The pair were spurred on by their supportive friends and family through the run and fundraising efforts. They raised £394 plus £92.50 in Gift Aid. Rachel shared how they were touched by the generosity of donors and well-wishers, especially tutors who already give their time to volunteer for Action Tutoring.

“The kind words, lovely messages, and donations from tutors who already do so much for Action Tutoring were particularly heartwarming.”

Rachel

The total of £486.50 can translate into providing 14 new pairs of noise-cancelling headphones for pupils receiving tutoring support or equally covering the cost of enhanced DBS checks for 45 tutors.

Go for it! 

Despite the daunting physical and mental hurdles of the run, Rachel and Mary completed it in high spirits, embodying perseverance and commitment to the cause. 

Rachel’s advice for future fundraisers contemplating a similar challenge is simple.

“Go for it! If you are new to running or have never entered a running event before, they’re a brilliant way to motivate yourself.”

Rachel

Rachel also advised that running with a friend or listening to a podcast or music serves as an effective distraction during the tougher moments in training for the race.

“We are so proud of Rachel and Mary for tackling the Sheffield 10K to support disadvantaged children and young people. You’re both amazing advocates for Action Tutoring and have championed our mission in a triumphant way. With your help, we can tackle education inequality head-on. Thank you!“

Head of Philanthropy, Hannah O’Neill

Do you want to get involved in a fundraising challenge for us? We’re currently looking for fundraisers to fill our charity spaces on the Hackney Half 2024 and the RideLondon-Essex 60 2024. Please complete the form in link below or contact our Fundraising Coordinator, Molly: molly.cottrill@actiontutoring.org.uk.

Donate to our Big Give Christmas Challenge this Giving Tuesday

In 2012, in the heart of New York City, the seeds of Giving Tuesday were sown with a vision to inspire a wave of radical generosity and celebrate the act of giving. Since then, it has grown into a global movement, motivating millions to contribute their time and resources to charities and communities in need.

Each year, on November 28th, following the Thanksgiving festivities and the shopping frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is commemorated with the hope that the spirit of giving will capture the attention of people who’ve just enjoyed a shopping spree, encouraging them to donate and volunteer.

Giving Tuesday marks the start of The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2023, which will run for one week until the 5th of December. Action Tutoring is taking part in the challenge for the fourth time, with our biggest target yet!

Our Big Give Christmas Challenge 2023

The Big Give Christmas Challenge is the UK’s largest match-funding campaign. A match-funded campaign consists of a “match-fund” pot that is used to double online donations made during campaign week. This means that one donation has twice the impact! 

Our target this year is bigger than ever – £6,000. From 28th November – 5th December, any amount we raise will be doubled from our pledge fund, generously added to by our pledgers and champion funders, the Scouloudi Foundation.

The raised amount will go towards vital programme delivery, providing pupils with high-quality workbooks and noise-cancelling headphones, and tutors with enhanced DBS checks.

#YouInspiredMe: The power of educators

Our 2023 Big Give Christmas Challenge is on the theme #YouInspiredMe, spotlighting the remarkable influence of teachers and tutors on the lives of young individuals and the enduring impact of their efforts well into adulthood. We want to thank these exceptional educators whilst recognising the importance of education during this festive time of giving.

We firmly believe that everyone possesses something unique to give, whether it’s their skills, knowledge, money, time, or simply their voice to champion a cause close to their heart.

The recent challenges with giving against the growing need

We all recognise that the past year has brought its own set of challenges. A global pandemic, rising inflation, and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza have all put a strain on people’s capacity to give. According to the CAF’s 2023 UK Giving Report, giving has still not recovered to pre-pandemic levels and the cost-of-living crisis has led a quarter of people to alter their charitable behaviours or are planning on doing so. 

Volunteering levels have also declined, with 1.6 million fewer volunteers than five years ago.

Despite these challenges, our pupils need support more than ever. The academic attainment gap is at its widest in a decade and the demand for tutoring in schools continues to rise. We cannot stand idly by as disadvantaged children struggle to meet expected performance standards and face limited opportunities for future careers.

Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make a lasting impact. This Giving Tuesday and for the Big Give Christmas Challenge, support us to ensure more children receive necessary academic support.

How to give and support our work

Donate to our Big Give Christmas Challenge on our campaign page from November 28th to December 5th. Don’t forget that your donation will be doubled! One donation equals twice the impact.

Volunteer as a tutor – You can tutor students in English or maths at primary or secondary levels, either online or in-person, dedicating just one hour per week.

If you’re unable to give your time or make a donation, you can still support our cause by spreading the word. Share this blog with friends, family, and on your social media platforms, using our hashtag #YouInspiredMe

As we celebrate Giving Tuesday, let’s continue to support the causes close to our hearts. Kindness and acts of generosity are essential to empowering children and young people to unlock their academic potential. Together, we can make a difference and inspire change.

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.

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.

Could you make your gift go further? #TickTheBox

Could you help us make £1.25 out of £1 by ticking the box for Gift Aid?

Gift Aid is one of the simplest and most effective ways of giving to charity. When a UK taxpayer makes a donation to a charity, that charity is eligible to receive an additional 25% of the donated amount. 

The arrangement serves as a tax relief mechanism benefiting charities in the UK, ultimately boosting contributions without any additional cost to the donor.

What is Gift Aid awareness day?

5th of October each year is Gift Aid Awareness Day. This is an initiative run by the Charity Finance Group to raise awareness of the importance of Gift Aid.

Why you should #TickTheBox

Action Tutoring is registered for Gift Aid, allowing us to claim an extra 25% on every donation from His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC). But this is only possible when donors tick the Gift Aid box. 

If you are eligible for Gift Aid and can tick the box, your donation could go even further. Gift Aid can add up to substantial amounts and really makes a difference at Action Tutoring and to the lives of the young people we support.

“When you #TickTheBox, we get an extra 25% donation at absolutely no cost to the donor. If you do pay tax, it’s such an easy way to support your charity of choice without any extra effort. It helps us to do more of the great things we already do! I always #TickTheBox when I donate to any cause I care about. As a fundraiser, I know what a difference it makes to charities,”

Hannah O’Neill, Head of Philanthropy at Action Tutoring

Donating to Action Tutoring with JustGiving

You can donate to Action Tutoring through JustGiving. After you have entered your donation amount and confirmed that the donation is your own money, you will be asked to add Gift Aid and tick the box.

Donating to Action Tutoring by bank transfer

If you are donating via bank transfer, or have a direct debit with us and would like to add Gift Aid, it’s really simple.

Just reach out to our Fundraising Coordinator, Molly, on molly.cottrill@actiontutoring.org.uk, to ask for a Gift Aid Declaration form, which only takes a couple of minutes to fill out.

Thank you for your donations and support

Your support for Action Tutoring is invaluable and we couldn’t provide our vital tutoring service without you. Gift Aid can make your support go further, allowing us to help more disadvantaged young people to reach their academic potential.

“We use the extra donations to support our pupils even further. Donations and Gift Aid help us provide more pupils with workbooks, headphones and access to our online classroom, with every high-quality tutoring session moving them closer to success in key exams,”

Hannah O’Neill, Head of Philanthropy at Action Tutoring

If you cannot add Gift Aid, your donation still creates a lasting impact, and we value every contribution you can make.

Please refer to this link for more government guidance on Gift Aid eligibility and conditions.

Teaching Assistants Day: Recognising the vital role TAs play

Teaching assistants, often referred to as TAs in the education system, support teachers with their work and help pupils with reading, writing, and learning activities in schools. TAs make up over a quarter of the workforce in schools, with a population of 281,100 full-time teaching assistants across the UK, as at last academic year.

From preschools to universities, TAs contribute significantly to the outcomes of young people and the overall quality of education. Their duties vary according to the education level they work in but generally include helping pupils with topics they’re struggling with, assisting SEND pupils who need extra support to complete tasks, helping teachers to plan learning activities, conducting assessments as well as supporting teachers in managing class behaviour.

National TA Day

Teacher recruitment agency, Teaching Personnel, introduced National Teaching Assistants’ Day in 2012 to celebrate and highlight the vital work teaching assistants do in our classrooms daily. Since then, the UK has marked National Teaching Assistants’ Day on 29 September with schools across the country celebrating their own TAs and nominating their favourites for the Teaching Assistant of the Year award.

The TA Experience

Action Tutoring’s marketing manager, Kellie Coyle recounts her experience as a TA in a primary school in Luton, north of London after completing university in Birmingham.

“I became a TA to help me decide whether or not I wanted to go into the teaching profession and commit to teacher training. I decided I didn’t, but loved the experience nonetheless.”

Kellie’s best part about being a TA was working in small intervention groups outside of the classroom.

“It was great to observe my groups enjoying the subject a bit more as a result of being able to go at their own pace and to see their confidence increase.”

However, the support needed in the primary school was more than Kellie had imagined.

“My least favourite part was seeing that many pupils in the classroom needed this kind of support, and not being able to give them all that extra attention.”

The Challenges

Despite their impact, teaching assistants in the UK face a unique set of challenges. There is a crisis for teaching assistant recruitment and retention as a survey found that three-quarters had thought about leaving in the past year.

With the cost of living crisis, many TAs are struggling financially and being compelled to change jobs or take second jobs to supplement their income. This finding is captured in a new report by National Foundation for Educational Research. Teachers and school leaders in the report highlighted how the crisis is leading TAs to quit in favour of better-paid jobs in other sectors such as hospitality and retail as they offer either increased pay or more working hours. Since the pandemic, while most roles offer hybrid, remote, and other flexible working conditions, TAs don’t have the option of working from home.

Additionally, limited opportunities for professional development often leave them feeling undervalued and overlooked. Furthermore, the emotional toll of working with young people facing a myriad of challenges, from poverty to mental health issues, can be overwhelming. Many teaching assistants form deep bonds with their students and carry the weight of their struggles long after the school day ends.

Effective deployment of TAs

An Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) guidance report released in 2021, Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants, found that the typical methods of deploying TA did not yield positive results in terms of pupil attainment.

The report recommended more investment in the professional development of TAs to deliver more structured interventions to complement high-quality teaching and tutoring support in schools.

While it’s abundantly clear that TAs make meaningful contributions to their schools, it’s imperative to recognise that the key to enhancing pupil outcomes hinges on how they are deployed and upskilled to deliver interventions.

A nation’s gratitude

TA Day is a chance to shine a well-deserved spotlight on them and for schools, parents, and pupils to show their gratitude for the dedication and hard work of TAs.

As you reflect on the education journey of your own child or your own learning experience, remember the teaching assistants who played pivotal roles in shaping your path. Take a moment to appreciate their support, guidance, and the positive impact they’ve made on countless lives.

“My message to TAs as we celebrate this day is thank you for being that positive, friendly, crucial pillar of support for so many pupils – they will always remember you.”

Kellie

In Support of the Liberal Democrats’ Plan for Extensive and Targeted Tutoring

Over the weekend, the Liberal Democrats unveiled a plan to provide free small-group tutoring for 1.75 million pupils struggling with their studies. The initiative, they believe, will help address a concerning statistic: more than one in seven teenagers in the UK falls behind in English or Maths during their secondary school years. 

The party’s education spokesperson, Munira Wilson MP, revealed that at the heart of this plan is a commitment to fill the void left by the National Tutoring Programme, which is set to end next year. 

Tutoring as a permanent fixture

As an education charity that has provided tutoring support to pupils facing disadvantage over the last twelve years, we are delighted that the Liberal Democrats have announced plans to make school-based tutoring a permanent fixture in England, especially targeting those that need it the most.

Their announcement draws heavily on the recommendations laid out in the Future of Tutoring report published this summer, led by Public First and sponsored by Action Tutoring, Get Further, and The Tutor Trust. In particular, it focuses on:

• Removing the need for schools to match fund (a barrier to current take-up)
• Long-term funding to enable schools and providers to plan
• Allowing for a mixture of school-led tutoring and external partner provision
• Supporting all pupil premium pupils who are behind academically

Levelling the playing field

Responding to the announcement, Susannah Hardyman, founder and CEO of Action Tutoring,  said:

 “Tutoring is one of the best-evidenced ways of supporting disadvantaged young people to achieve academically, levelling the playing field between those that can afford private tutoring and those that can’t. The benefits of tutoring extend beyond just academic attainment, with evidence highlighting that it also increases wider confidence, motivation, and engagement in education.”

The Liberal Democrat’s proposal includes making tutoring a permanent fixture in England’s schools, sixth forms, and further education colleges. These institutions would receive a substantial annual budget of £390 million, earmarked for intensive small-group tutoring sessions designed to assist struggling pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. The subjects covered include English, Maths, Science, and other academic areas.

Targeted approach

One of the applaudable principles of this initiative is its targeted approach. Pupils who would benefit from tutoring will be selected with a focus on children from low-income backgrounds, those with low prior attainment, and those with additional educational needs. Wilson explained that flexibility will be paramount, allowing schools and colleges to choose between using their own teaching staff, recruiting tutors independently, or selecting from quality-assured external providers.

Wilson criticised the government’s investment in education, particularly during the pandemic, stating that only a fraction of the announced £15 billion investment in education to bridge the learning gap caused by the pandemic was allocated. She passionately emphasised the need for this initiative, stating:

“Tutoring will no longer be something that only an elite few can afford.”

Unlocking potential

In a world where education holds the key to a brighter future, the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to accessible and effective tutoring represents a pivotal step towards realising the full potential of the country’s young minds. With inclusivity, collaboration, and evidence-based strategies at its core, this initiative has the potential to reshape the educational landscape for the better, providing every child with the opportunity to thrive.

“Tutoring unlocks the potential of children and young people, which ultimately benefits not only their future but wider society too,”

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.

‘Thank You’ notes that melted our hearts last term

One of the reasons why working with children is fulfilling is that you get to see them grow, learn and develop every single time. The endless energy, creativity and playfulness they exude always brings joy and excitement.

However, working with children isn’t all rosy. Sometimes we have to manage their energy, brutal honesty, and humour. But these challenges are outweighed by the rewards of watching pupils grow in subject knowledge and confidence.

At the end of each term or school programme, a heart-warming moment for many of our volunteers and staff is when pupils share inspiring and engaging thank-you notes of appreciation.

Here are ten of the remarkable notes of gratitude from pupils who were supported by our volunteers and programme team last term:

1. What a blast!

2. Experience the magic 24/7

3. Who wouldn’t like a PS5 as a reward?

4. Missing Kitty

A tell-all with express permission

6. Cheers to behavioural change!

7. They who laughs last, laughs best?

8. Choosing to learn over biscuits

9. The heart emoji keeps filling up

10. Football rivalry knows no boundaries!

Another amazing year together ahead

These words of appreciation and witnessing a pupil progress from strength to strength are why we do what we do. To all of our volunteer tutors, we want to say thank you for your selflessness and dedication. You make a real difference in the lives of children, and we are so grateful for your service.

With the 2023-24 new academic year starting in earnest, we look forward to another great year of supporting pupils together and some fun thank you notes.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tutor, find out more in the link below.

Five reasons why your school should partner with Action Tutoring this year

Action Tutoring works with primary and secondary state schools to deliver tutoring programmes for pupils in Years 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11 in English and maths. Established in 2011, we’ve developed an effective tutoring programme with proven impact.

97% of schools would recommend Action Tutoring to another school. Read on to find out why.

1. We subside our programmes with fundraising in order to keep costs down. 

Along with the National Tutoring Programme, our Philanthropy Team have worked tirelessly to fundraise so we can ensure disadvantaged pupils can still access our support, even when school budgets are tight. This year our tutoring costs as little as £6 per pupil hour. 

2. We provide a dedicated Programme Coordinator to take care of all of the administration.

As a team full of former teachers, we know exactly how little time you have to spare. And no teacher wants to spend their precious planning time doing extra admin. Our Programme Coordinators sort all the safeguarding, set up and on-going logistics for you.

And they aren’t just a mysterious person at the end of a helpline. In the majority of cases, they’ll be with you in school when tutoring takes place. And for online programmes, they are by your side ensuring the technology runs smoothly. 

3. We have a bespoke curriculum exclusively designed for Action Tutoring. 

You can be rest assured that your pupils will have materials that are age, stage and exam focussed. They’re not just worksheets pulled off the internet; they’ve been designed by Lead Practitioners and are specifically designed for use in a small group tutoring situation. Even our online versions have been adopted based on research on effective e-learning. 

4. We make an impact, getting more pupils through key exam milestones.

We’re driven by the impact we make; after all, it’s the whole mission of our charity. So it’s very important to us that what we do makes a difference to the young people we support.

With more than a decade of impact analysis, you can be confident that the time your pupils spend with our tutors positively impacts their progress and attainment. 

5. We have a diverse and dedicated army of high-quality volunteer tutors trained and ready to inspire and support your pupils.

From retired teachers, to economics university students and solicitors, our tutors are diverse and inspirational. They give their time for free because they have the academic skills, as well as the right motivations.

So what’s holding you back?

Get in touch today through our school enquiries page and one of our brilliant team members will be in touch. 

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