Our Reach: London

Action Tutoring began its life as a charity in London, in spring 2011. From a pilot programme with just two schools and some local volunteers, our work has expanded rapidly.

Yerbury Primary School

primary School

Walnut Tree Walk Primary School

primary School

Tidemill Academy

primary School

Thornhill Primary School

primary School

Stroud Green Primary School

primary School

St Mark's Church of England Primary School

primary School

Selwyn Primary School

primary School

Prior Weston Primary School and Children's Centre

primary School

Pakeman Primary School

primary School

Netley Primary School & Centre for Autism

primary School

Hugh Myddelton Primary School

primary School

Heartlands High School

secondary School

Hanover Primary School

primary School

Granard Primary School

primary School

Dalmain Primary School

primary School

Crown Lane Primary School

primary School

Connaught School for Girls

secondary School

Chelsea Academy

secondary School

Canonbury Primary School

primary School

Ashmount Primary School

primary School

Winton Primary School

primary School

Argyle Primary School

primary School

St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School

secondary School

Acland Burghley School

secondary School

Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School

secondary School

Hollydale Primary School

primary School

Mossbourne Community Academy

secondary School

Tufnell Park Primary School

primary School

The New North Academy

primary School

Rotherfield Primary School

primary School

Rotherfield Primary School

primary School

Newington Green Primary

primary School

Copenhagen Primary

primary School

Bacon's College

secondary School

Primrose Hill Primary

primary School

Millbank Primary Academy

primary School

Laycock Primary School

primary School

Pimlico Primary School

primary School

Pimlico Academy

secondary School

Why volunteer as a tutor in London

In 2011, Action Tutoring ran two pilot programmes in Hackney and Peckham, funded by the Shaftesbury Partnership. Following their successes, the SHINE Trust provided funding for a larger pilot programme and in the academic year 2011-2012, fifteen tutoring programmes were delivered in schools across London.

London’s mid-2021 population was 8.78 million. Estimates of children living in low income families indicate that 17% of London’s children were living in poverty (before taking housing costs into account) in 2020-21. 

Deprivation levels vary from borough to borough. Tower Hamlets is the local authority with the highest level of child poverty in the UK, with 56% of its children living in poverty. 2019-20 data shows that Newham (50%), Barking and Dagenham (48%) and Hackney (48%) are not far behind. 

Evidence shows that pupils from low income families are less likely to perform well in school, since there are more obstacles in the way of their academic progress (such as lack of access to technology or extra resources). This limits their opportunities later in life, whether they’re applying for apprenticeships, studying A-Levels or seeking employment. Action Tutoring is committed to improving the academic outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We have been working with schools in London to support the city’s disadvantaged pupils for over 10 years. In 2021-22, we expanded this reach to include schools in some of London’s commuter areas, including Reading, Luton and Dagenham.

Action Tutoring is committed to improving the academic outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, demonstrated through our impact data. Read on to find out how you can support these children by volunteer tutoring (in-person or online) in London.

I was kind of held back from Covid-19 and it’s a good opportunity for me to catch up with the other students in my class and learn about maths. I’m very confident and happy because I’m learning more about multiplication, fractions and addition.

Djibril, Year 6 pupil, Comber Grove Primary School in Peckham

Action Tutoring in London

Working with multiple schools across England has helped us recognise the needs of schools and better understand the demands and pressures that schools are under, especially after the pandemic. Since launching in London over 10 years ago, we have been working with volunteers to deliver tutoring programmes in a number of schools across London and outer borough Bromley.

We do more than just tutor. Our volunteers also serve as role models, motivating pupils to overcome learning barriers and achieve their potential in life. We are working hard to grow our volunteer tutor community in London and are keen to engage more volunteers locally to support our face-to-face programmes.

Coming from a working-class background, good quality comprehensive state education and access to amazing teachers enabled me to progress and get on in life. I was one of the lucky ones, as I know many working-class kids don’t get the opportunities and luck I had. Tutoring is one of the few things I do that gives me real satisfaction, enjoyment, and self-fulfilment. It’s very rewarding to be able to give something back to your community. 

Youcef, volunteer tutor in London

By tutoring in London for just one hour a week, you will directly support disadvantaged pupils to build their confidence and help ensure they leave school with the grades needed to build a bright future, as well as developing your own skills. 

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

Primary

  • Yerbury Primary School
  • Walnut Tree Walk Primary School
  • Tidemill Academy
  • Thornhill Primary School
  • Stroud Green Primary School
  • St Mark's Church of England Primary School
  • Selwyn Primary School
  • Prior Weston Primary School and Children's Centre
  • Pakeman Primary School
  • Netley Primary School & Centre for Autism
  • Hugh Myddelton Primary School
  • Hanover Primary School
  • Granard Primary School
  • Dalmain Primary School
  • Crown Lane Primary School
  • Canonbury Primary School
  • Ashmount Primary School
  • Winton Primary School
  • Argyle Primary School
  • Hollydale Primary School
  • Tufnell Park Primary School
  • The New North Academy
  • Rotherfield Primary School
  • Rotherfield Primary School
  • Newington Green Primary
  • Copenhagen Primary
  • Primrose Hill Primary
  • Millbank Primary Academy
  • Laycock Primary School
  • Pimlico Primary School

Secondary

  • Heartlands High School
  • Connaught School for Girls
  • Chelsea Academy
  • St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School
  • Acland Burghley School
  • Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School
  • Mossbourne Community Academy
  • Bacon's College
  • Pimlico Academy

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

London Programme Team