Economy

What we have achieved: Our 2023-24 impact report

6 February 2025

Education has navigated numerous challenges in recent years, ranging from Covid’s effects, to ever tightening school budgets. Pupils who face disadvantage have been particularly affected. In spite of these hurdles, we are immensely proud of the impact we continue to have on the young people who need it the most. The release of our 2023-24 impact report – which we are now able to share with you – demonstrates how tutoring continues to empower.

Solid foundations

Committed to narrowing the attainment gap in English and maths, we have built up a robust evidence base, over 12 years in operation. Our latest impact report shows we have a foundation of evidence and a proven solution – tutoring with volunteers works.

In summary: our impact report

So, read on to discover the key headlines which highlight our consistent commitment to supporting pupils, partner schools, and volunteers, during this past academic year.

The headline figures

In 2023-24, our Year 6 and Year 11 pupils significantly outperformed the national benchmarks for pupils facing disadvantage.

Additionally:

  • Our programmes reached pupils located across 11 main cities and areas.
  • We also established programmes in new locations including Devon, Stockport and West Cumberland.
  • Year 6 pupils completing the tutoring programme in reading almost completed the gap nationally. These pupils are record-breakers! They achieved the best outcome Action Tutoring has ever reported for reading at key stage 2.

As well as this success:

  • Primary age pupils tutored in maths were 20% more likely to meet the expected standard than other children.
  • After completing our programme, secondary age pupils were more likely to pass the GCSE in their tutored subject, compared with other pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds nationally.

The above graphic is also crucial because:

  • Teachers choose children to take part in Action Tutoring programmes who they know are at a particular risk of not meeting this benchmark in their key stage 2 SATs. This makes their achievement all the more meaningful.

Fantastic feedback

If you want to see the impact we have on teachers and the tutors who volunteer on our programmes, then read this glowing endorsement for 2023-24, below:

  • 8.4/10 – teachers’ average score for our charity’s impact on their pupils.
  • 9.4/10 – tutors’ average score for whether they would recommend volunteering with us to a colleague or friend.
  • 9.4/10 – teachers’ average score for Action Tutoring when asked if our staff were well organised.

Read our 2023-24 Impact Report

Looking ahead

Now in its 13th year, Action Tutoring is entering a new chapter following the ending of the National Tutoring Programme in summer 2024. This brings new challenges and new opportunities for the 2024-25 academic year.

We are continuing to consolidate our work and ensure a strong platform for future growth. We remain committed to our strategy which focuses on four key areas: reach, growth, impact and advocacy. It enables us to keep a laser focus on our mission, ensuring we are having a meaningful impact on the young people we support, and are continuously striving to reach more.

The top lines for our our future – within our four key areas – include:

  • Advocacy: In 2024-25 we will continue to campaign and seek to engage politicians and key decision makers, advocating for extended government investment in state school tutoring.
  • Reach: In the year ahead we plan to expand the locations we are working in, especially to reach more rural and coastal areas to support pupils who are often facing hidden disadvantages.
  • Impact: We are continuing to refine our tutoring resources, pupil assessments and volunteer development to further improve pupil outcomes.
  • Growth: We remain committed to our ambition for growth, whilst ensuring that our targets can be reached sustainably and that we can overcome the external barriers we face.

Thank you

We hope you enjoy reading through the publication and reflecting on our work together. 

Get involved: Ways you can join our mission

There are many different ways you can help us to build a brighter future through tutoring. Read on to find out how you can become involved.

Sign up to volunteer

Ready to volunteer on one of our programmes?

By volunteering for just one hour a week, either school or online, you will:

  • Transform the lives of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • Give pupils hope in their education.
  • Share that lightbulb moment, when a pupil exclaims, ‘I get it’.
  • Experience the joy of tutoring.

Thank you!

Spread the word

We would love you more broadly to spread the word on all that we do with those you know. Whether it’s your friends, family, colleagues, or someone you know who works in education or at a school, it all helps.

Here are some other ways you can support us this year.

Share our blog

One of the best ways to spread the word on what we do, is by reading and sharing our blog.

Whether case studies, policy and curriculum, or, fundraising, there’s always something worthwhile.  

Recommend us to a school

Do you know of a school, or a teacher who could benefit from our work? Why not recommend us to them! They can simply email: schoolenquiries@actiontutoring.org.uk, call 0300 102 0094, or send them the link to the form below.

Share our socials

Want to get social and keep up to date on all things impact at Action Tutoring? Simply click on the icons below to follow our channels and share our social posts today.

Action Tutoring transforms lives: Unveiling our Impact Report 2022-23!

17 January 2024

Imagine a world where educational equity unlocks not just individual potential, but also fuels economic prosperity. Today, that vision takes a significant step forward with the release of two reports: Action Tutoring’s seventh Impact Report and Public First‘s research into the Economic Impact of the National Tutoring Programme (NTP). These reports showcase the undeniable two-fold impact of tutoring: enriching lives and empowering economies.

Our Impact Report shares our key highlights and draws attention to the attainment gap, which is now at its widest in 12 years, and our robust foundation of evidence that proves we are a meaningful solution to help close it.

Why do these reports matter? 

More than just numbers and data; it’s a testament to the 1,743 passionate volunteers who have poured their hearts into 58,880 hours of transformative tutoring for 5,743 pupils facing disadvantage. It is the tangible proof that investing in tutoring works and tells a remarkable tale of economic impact.

Headlines from Public First’s Economic Impact Modelling Release

  • £4.3 billion: The net benefit to the economy from tutoring in two academic years, demonstrating a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 6.58. This significantly exceeds other programs, such as adult apprenticeships (BCR 4.7).
  • £3.06 billion: The economic contribution of maths tutoring, delivering exceptional value with a BCR of 7.73
  • 430,000 grade improvements: Of these improvements, 26,000 achieved a “pass” (Grade 4) in maths, and 36,000 in English, who otherwise were not expected to. This significantly increases their chances of accessing further education, employment, and higher earnings, highlighting the substantial long-term economic benefit of tutoring.

This isn’t just about boosting numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about building a stronger, more equitable society where everyone has the chance to contribute and thrive.

The headlines from our Impact Report

  • Closing the achievement gap: National averages for primary school pupils facing disadvantage (or eligible for pupil premium) who received 10 or more tutoring sessions with Action Tutoring saw a 14-percentage point jump in maths and a 7-percentage point gain in reading standards. That’s more than just numbers – it’s lives changed forever.
  • Empowering potential: In secondary schools, our support boosted maths GCSE pass rates by nearly 13 percentage points, giving countless pupils the keys to unlocking their dreams.
  • Building confidence and engagement: Pupils rated their tutors’ clarity at 8.1 out of 10, while teachers acknowledged the overall positive impact of Action Tutoring on pupils with a resounding 8.7 out of 10. This speaks volumes about the positive ripple effect we create.

These achievements aren’t just personal victories – they’re the foundation for a more prosperous future.

How can you join us in building this brighter tomorrow?

Schools: Partner with Action Tutoring and watch your pupils soar, while contributing to a stronger local economy.

Funders: Invest in a solution that delivers both individual and societal rewards.

Volunteers: Share your knowledge and passion, become a mentor, and fuel the engine of economic growth.

Everyone: Spread the word, advocate for educational equity, and be part of the change.