Exciting news! Expanding to Rotherham with new school partnerships
Here at Action Tutoring, we’re thrilled to announce fantastic new partnerships in Rotherham!
Brinsworth Academy, Thrybergh Academy, Rawmarsh Community School, and Clifton Community School are all joining our mission to support pupils facing disadvantage. These collaborations are a huge step forward in our ‘Reach’ strategy, bringing vital academic support to more young people that need it most.
For those of you who know us, you’ll be aware that our core belief is in the power of tutoring to open doors to future opportunities. Last year alone, 6,003 children and young people accessed over 61,000 hours of tutoring nationwide, all thanks to the dedication of nearly 1,900 incredible volunteers. Tutoring is a proven method to improve grades at both SATs and GCSE.
Now, we’re bringing that same impact to Rotherham, with these four schools participating in our secondary maths EEF evaluation.
Our “Reach” pillar is all about expanding the locations we work in, especially those outside of urban city centres. We’ve crunched the numbers and found that there are over 5,500 schools within just a two-hour radius of our current cities of operation that we could be working with.
Our ambition is bold: to deliver 30% of our tutoring in these locations within the next three years, primarily through our highly effective online model. One of the many benefits of online tutoring is that it allows us to bridge geographical gaps, bringing expert volunteer support directly into classrooms, regardless of where the school is located.
“These new Rotherham partnerships are a powerful step in our ‘Reach’ strategy. They directly address the geographical inequalities that widen the attainment gap, ensuring more pupils facing disadvantage get the vital support they need to succeed, no matter where they live.”
– Alice Nelson, Director of Programme
Our expansion is more crucial than ever, particularly in light of recent research from the Sutton Trust. Their “Opportunity Index” report highlights a stark reality: opportunity in England is not evenly spread. It’s not just about a young person’s socio-economic background; where they grow up can have an equally, if not more, significant impact on their future.
The report reveals a dramatic geographical divide, with 42 of the top 50 constituencies for opportunity being in London, while areas like the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber lag significantly behind in educational attainment, access to higher education, and future earnings for disadvantaged pupils.
For instance, Free School Meal (FSM) pupils from East Ham in London are over three times more likely to have a degree by age 22 compared to those in Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West, despite similar levels of disadvantage.
These findings underscore precisely why our ‘Reach’ pillar is so vital. By extending our support to places like Rotherham, which falls within the Yorkshire and the Humber region highlighted by the Sutton Trust, we’re actively working to counteract these geographical disparities.
Our aim is to ensure that talent can thrive regardless of postcode, offering high-quality tutoring to young people in areas that desperately need that extra boost.
So how does it work?
Pupils on our programmes always access their tutoring at school, ensuring a safe and supportive environment. Whether sessions are delivered online or in person, they are always overseen by one of our programme coordinators.
On virtual programmes, our coordinators oversee tutoring remotely, enabling us to confidently expand our reach beyond our traditional delivery hubs. This means that even if you’re not in Rotherham, you can still volunteer in Rotherham by providing online support from wherever you are!
The impact of our volunteers is truly profound. By dedicating just an hour a week, you can help a young person build their confidence, grasp concepts they find challenging, and unlock their full potential.
“I gained valuable experience of working with pupils in Year 6 tutoring in Sheffield. This enabled me to develop my communication skills and gain a true insight into how they learn various topics, as well as listen to their interpretations on not only academics, but life too. Overall, this experience was very rewarding and inspired me to pursue a degree in education!”
Rachel Adams, volunteer in Sheffield
We’re looking for enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to join our growing family of volunteers in Rotherham and beyond. No prior teaching experience is required, but you’ll need a passion for helping young people succeed. We provide all the training and resources you’ll need, and our programme coordinators are always on hand to offer support and guidance.
So, if you’re ready to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people in Rotherham and contribute to our exciting ‘Reach’ strategy, we’d love to hear from you. Come join us in empowering the next generation!
Ready to inspire? Sign up to volunteer with us today!
Know a school in Rotherham, or anywhere else, who could benefit from our tutoring support? We’re always keen to expand our partnerships and help more pupils. Schools can get in touch here:
