Our Reach: Bristol

Why volunteer as a tutor in Bristol?

Our decision to work in Bristol stems from our commitment to addressing educational inequality where the need is greatest. Many pupils face significant challenges that impact their learning.

Recent figures highlight the pressing need for additional support across the region:

• As of January 2024, 18,350 pupils in Bristol were eligible for free school meals. Free school meal eligibility serves as a key indicator of low-income households, with access typically granted to children whose parents receive certain benefits or have an income below a specific threshold.
• Areas of significant affluence exist alongside some of the most deprived in England. Recent data indicates that over a third of children in Bristol are living in poverty, meaning that in a typical class of 30, around ten children are likely experiencing poverty.

These statistics underscore the significant challenges faced by many young people in Bristol. Growing up in poverty can result in challenges that lead to lower academic attainment and, once they finish school, reduced opportunities for further education, training or employment.

By providing targeted, high-quality tutoring, Action Tutoring aims to mitigate these effects, helping to build academic confidence and unlock pupils’ potential. Whether you choose to tutor online or face-to-face, you can help transform a child’s confidence, grades, and future options.

“My tutor is helpful. She asks me what I want to go over, then if I’m not sure, she’ll go through it. When you get to the exam you’re like ‘oh okay, this is what we did the other day’. [The sessions] have helped me realise I know more than I thought. It was more helpful than I thought it was going to be!“

Hannah, Year 11 pupil from Bedminster down

Action Tutoring’s impact in Bristol

Action Tutoring launched in Bristol in 2014 and has since expanded its reach, working with multiple schools across the city to provide high-quality tutoring in maths and English. Our volunteers play a crucial role in closing the attainment gap and boosting the confidence of disadvantaged pupils.

Our national impact, reflecting the work done across all our regions including Bristol, demonstrates the effectiveness of our programmes:

“The flexibility and desire to accommodate and work with our staff and pupils prior to and throughout the pandemic has been first rate. Communication and clarity of intent have always been clear and acted on swiftly, ensuring staff and pupils have been brilliantly supported. The commitment and desire to develop and advance our pupils has been superb.“

Patrick Callaghan, Pupil Premium Lead, Bristol Cathedral Choir School

Take part in our fundraising events in Bristol

Fundraising efforts make a tangible difference to our work, enabling us to provide essential resources to our pupils and train our dedicated volunteer tutors.

Our fundraising page has more information about upcoming events in and around your area.

Some of our current volunteering opportunities in Bristol take place with pupils from the following partner schools:

Find out more information about becoming a volunteer or partnering as a school in Bristol.

Bristol Programme Team

• Sav Karia (Programme Manager)
• Chloe Baber (Senior Bristol Programme Coordinator)
• Chris Hames (Bristol Programme Coordinator)