Training

How being a volunteer tutor is more than I could have imagined

2 September 2024

Meet Aneeqa. The third year University of Nottingham English student has tutored at Heathfield Primary and Nursery School and Redhill Academy. She told us about her positive experience as an Action Tutoring volunteer English tutor and why people should sign up.

Here is a picture of volunteer tutor Aneeqa Gruber with a book. She is holding the book and smiling at the camera. — Action Tutoring volunteer tutor Aneeqa Gruber

I first heard of Action Tutoring when visiting their stall at my university’s freshers fair. I knew for my final university year, Action Tutoring would be the best place to consolidate my learning. They certainly appealed as, since being a toddler, I’ve always had a teaching passion.

What teaching means to me

From teaching my stuffed toys and creating imaginary words, my love for tutoring grew from childhood. For me, tutoring means growth, including for the pupils I tutor. My aim is to provide a safe environment where pupils excel in their subject. Giving pupils patience and compassion creates that safe environment.

More than I ever could have imagined

Little did I know, Action Tutoring would teach me more than I could ever have imagined. After an interview and initial training, I secured a volunteer English tutor place; tutoring both online and in person. Since joining Action Tutoring, which supports pupils facing disadvantage with their English and maths education, I’ve learnt so much. The team has provided me with care, many skills and a new teaching outlook.

Growing together

“By tutoring through topic-focused games, I feel pupils started to recognise I had their best interests at heart.” – Aneeqa

I distinctly remember my first virtual tutoring session in October 2023. Starting at 3:30pm, after a full day’s schooling, the pupils joined, I feel, tired and slightly unfocused. Perhaps they weren’t looking forward to completing another lesson when their friends had already gone home.

With this in mind, I spoke to Action Tutoring’s Nottingham Programme Coordinator, Niamh Wilson. We produced a plan to help the pupils get back on track. This included creating topic-focused games around what we were learning that day to immerse them within the lesson. From playing hangman with a key word they would learn that day, to longer games pupils co-created, this really helped.

Working with pupils like this drastically improved their concentration, and the rapport between us. By tutoring this way, I feel pupils started to recognise I had their best interests at heart. I also truly believe it made us work well as a team.

Challenging social stereotypes through volunteering

“Through volunteer tutoring, Action Tutoring has most importantly given me the greatest gift.” – Aneeqa

I’ve often felt society can be quick to judge and dismiss anyone facing disadvantage. I feel they’re deemed lesser than others and aren’t given the same opportunities to succeed.

As a volunteer tutor with Action Tutoring, this has enabled me to play a small part in removing educational barriers. It’s been fantastic to see what a pupil facing socio-economic disadvantage can achieve. Through volunteering, I have wanted to show pupils they are capable of achieving everything they want in education. A pupil’s background does not define them.

Here is a picture of Aneeqa Gruber with her book and a quote of her experience at Action Tutoring.

By signing up to volunteer with Action Tutoring it has also helped me on my path to becoming a teacher. I’m delighted to have been accepted to start on a teacher training programme with Ark Teacher Training in September 2024. Thanks to the Action Tutoring team and what I’ve learnt from the sessions, this feels a great next step. While I have myself to thank, Action Tutoring has also most importantly given me the greatest gift. By tutoring, I have experienced the joy of a pupil saying, ‘I get it’.

What I’ve learnt

“By volunteering with Action Tutoring, I’ve also learnt you need to be flexible. You need to adapt to how every pupil’s feeling about learning on that day.” – Aneeqa

I reflect on my first tutoring session and laugh at my assumptions on what tutoring would be like. I believed pupils would be attentive and yes, in some ways, they are. Though I’ve learnt as a tutor you have to remember factors beyond your control.

There’s one vital thing I’ve learnt. To be the best tutor you can for your pupils, you need to understand their feelings. You can’t force them to act or behave a certain way. Action Tutoring has shown for pupils to learn, you need to talk with them, not to them. I’ve also learnt to remember these sessions are there to help pupils, meaning your lesson could go off plan.

By volunteering with Action Tutoring, I’ve also learnt you need to be flexible. You need to adapt to how every pupil’s feeling about learning on that day. Each pupil learns at their own pace. This means supporting all learning levels so you always include everyone. This is a juggling task I still have to master; being adaptable isn’t easy, for anyone!

To sign up to become an Action Tutoring volunteer tutor, apply below.

Apply to volunteer

Meet Stephen: His tutoring and teaching story

14 June 2024

Stephen has been inspired by the pupils he has taught and tutored. He wanted to make a difference, learn new skills before embracing teaching, and see a pupil say ‘I get it’. Through Now Teach and Action Tutoring, he’s done just that. Read on to find out more about how his tutoring experience has developed his confidence and passion for teaching.

My reasons for teaching

Like many, I was inspired by tutors and teachers during lockdown. My children’s teachers ran some amazing online sessions. They were so patient and enthusiastic. During a very difficult time for the kids, once teachers appeared, my children’s faces lit up.

In my school days, I had a very inspiring physics teacher. He encouraged me and introduced me to material well above the standard curriculum, which helped me in my career.

I’m always inspired by enthusiastic and energetic people I work with, including my PGCE leader. His lessons and, in particular, his classroom management are incredible. Throughout the last 2 years, I’ve aimed to recreate his lessons and develop the same enthusiasm and dynamism.

Pupil appreciation

“It was also new and interesting to be called Sir.“

Before teaching, I had minimal classroom experience. During COVID, classroom access was very limited. Now Teach then introduced me to Action Tutoring to get some experience and it’s nice to feel helpful. It’s even greater to tutor children who wanted and needed the help and today I still remember the pupils’ appreciation. While they didn’t find the subject easy, it was nice working with them. It was also new and interesting to be called Sir.

Lots of learning

Overall, I’ve learnt a lot. Through tutoring, it has been really great practice at listening, understanding pupils’ knowledge, and highlighting where we needed to focus. That was amazing and I now use many of the things I’ve learnt during tutoring.

Most vitally, it gave me something invaluable to share in my Initial Teacher Training (ITT) interview.

On the right path

Action Tutoring gave lots of amazing advice on lesson structure. We were well-connected with pupils and their teachers. This includes the school I tutored at having teachers that enabled the pupils to tutor.

The kids behaved brilliantly too so I could focus on delivering maths sessions. Action Tutoring also provided many great resources including question sheets and question booklets.

Tutoring has helped me believe teaching is right for me. I really needed the experience and I’m grateful it has been really positive.

Now Teach’s support: Connection and much, much more

“Be a magpie, collect things.“

Now Teach has been hugely helpful. From updating me on the application process and presenting the different options, they showed me what would be tough and how to brace myself.

They introduced me to fellow trainees and it was great to be in WhatsApp groups with others making the career switch. The best part was connecting with other parents. About 10 of us had near identical experiences before teaching. We could share challenges and solve problems, which I would have been unable to do with anyone else. That network was amazing. Now Teach connected me to people who have written the book on being a teacher and a parent.

There was a person who gave me advice on collecting evidence throughout the postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE). It made it much easier. Be a magpie, collect things. It saved me so much stress compared to people who hadn’t had Now Teach’s advice.

There have also been fantastic lunch meet-ups where we compare notes. Through these, I sometimes feel like I’m constantly getting better. We meet older and newer cohorts and it is amazing to share words of encouragement to those joining the club.

Advice to those considering teaching or tutoring

Get as much experience as you can. Teaching is a completely different job from what you may have done. I love it though it isn’t for everyone. Try before you buy. Initial teacher training is a long time so make sure it is right for you. Teacher training is the hardest bit and knowing whether you like being with the pupils is important. If you can teach pupils something it gives you a great sense of satisfaction. The pupils really open your imagination. Do try teaching or tutoring, as it can be great.