Evaluation

How we develop our curriculum – four key steps

Developing an engaging and effective curriculum is a complex but crucial process. At the heart of our approach to tutoring is a commitment to adaptability, tutor empowerment, continuous improvement, and expert design.

This blog post will delve into the four key steps we take to develop our curriculum, ensuring it delivers high-quality, impactful tutoring experiences for pupils facing disadvantage in English and maths. From initial design to ongoing evaluation and innovation, we’ll explore how we craft resources that are not only flexible and engaging, but also empower our tutors to make a real difference.

Designed for adaptability and engagement

One hallmark of our curriculum is its flexibility. While our resources are designed for small groups, they can easily be adapted for one-on-one tutoring. For example:

• English sessions include writing scaffolds, sentence stems, and scripted questions to guide tutors in fostering discussion and reflection.
• Maths sessions balance procedural practice with intelligent practice, encouraging deep understanding rather than rote memorisation.
• Interactive features, such as vocabulary matching games and collaborative activities, ensure that every session is engaging and impactful.

Empowering tutors for effective delivery

We understand that even the best curriculum can fall flat without effective delivery. That’s why we invest in comprehensive training and support for our volunteer tutors. From webinars and live demonstrations to tailored feedback from quality assurance staff, tutors are equipped with the skills they need to:

• Form effective questions
• Model language and vocabulary
• Use a gradual release model (I do, we do, you do)
• Make in-session adjustments based on pupil needs

Our commitment to supporting tutors extends to the technical realm as well. Online tutors receive hands-on training in our bespoke learning platform, Vedamo, which includes tools like text boxes, highlighters, and collaborative whiteboards to enhance interaction.

Continuous improvement through evaluation

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards in our curriculum through a rolling cycle of review and updates. This includes:

• Biannual corrections: Minor issues in resources are identified and addressed twice a year.
• Annual curriculum reviews: Entire curricula are evaluated and enhanced, with input from tutors, Programme Coordinators, and schools.
• Standards for tutoring: We are developing a set of standards inspired by the DfE’s teaching standards to further guide and assess the quality of our tutoring sessions.

Delivering quality through expert educators

Our curriculum isn’t just written by subject experts – it’s crafted by experienced teachers who understand the needs of our target pupils. These Curriculum Leads bring years of classroom experience to the table, ensuring that every session is educationally sound and tailored for maximum impact.

And we know it works

We just released our 2023-2024 Impact Report. Last academic year was a year of record-breaking impact, growth, and advocacy. Our pupils outperformed national benchmarks, with Year 6 reading results reaching an all-time high and over 60% of disadvantaged GCSE pupils passing their tutored subject.

Innovation is at the heart of our curriculum. In the coming years, we plan to:

• Redesign our assessments to gather even more precise data on pupil progress.
• Explore the potential of AI to enhance curriculum delivery.
• Continue expanding and refining our DEI targets.

We work with primary and secondary state schools across England to deliver heavily subsidised, high-quality tutoring for pupils facing disadvantage in Years 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11, in English and maths. If you’re interested in finding out more, visits our schools page: