About the National Tutoring Programme

The National Tutoring Programme (NTP) supports schools by providing access to high-quality tutoring to help pupils whose education has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Evidence shows that tutoring can boost progress by up to five months, with extensive evidence showing that tutoring is one of the most effective tools to support learning and accelerate pupil progress.

As part of the Education Recovery programme, the government has invested a further £1bn to support up to six million, 15-hour tutoring packages for pupils who need help. This support includes £222m to fund an extension to the 16 – 19 tutoring provision in addition to training and resources for the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) programme.

Find further information about catch-up funding, including for early years settings and post-16 providers, on the Department for Education website.

Academic year 2021/22.

Building on the success of the National Tutoring Programme 2020/21, we have listened to feedback and increased the breadth of the programme for 2021/22. We recognise that each school has pupils with varying needs so we have developed a tutoring proposition that provides a high degree of flexibility and choice.

We have developed options that make it easier for schools to access tutoring whilst ensuring that you can still exercise a high degree of discretion to support the pupils you believe are most in need. There are three options available that will help you as you start planning for the year ahead.

NTP Tuition Partners

Tuition Partners can be engaged by schools to provide targeted support for pupils in a specific subject area in 15 hour blocks mostly in groups of three, although groups of two and 1:1 support is also available where required. Schools can select from a range of organisations who deliver either face-to-face or online tuition in their area and 70% of the cost is subsidised by the government.

Academic Mentors

Some schools prefer to use tutors as an ‘in class’ resource to work alongside the pupil’s teacher to address a range of interventions, focusing on 1-1 and small group sessions with pupils. In the areas that are most in need of support, you can employ trained individuals to provide intensive support. These Academic Mentors will provide support tailored to schools, including subject-specific work, revision lessons and additional support available outside the school setting.

If you are interested in applying to become an Academic Mentor, then applications are now open and further details of how to apply and the eligibility criteria are available.

School-Led tutoring

Based on feedback received from schools during the first year of the NTP, the Department for Education has provided ring-fenced grant funding directly to schools to support provision of School-Led tutoring, in the academic year 2021/22. Funding is allocated for around 60% of pupils eligible for pupil premium in Years 1-11. For this academic year, the grant will be calculated to cover 60% of the cost of locally-sourced tuition (based on average costs of tutoring) with schools contributing the remaining costs.

Schools will have flexibility to use this additional grant in providing tuition support to pupils that can benefit most. Schools will have freedom to determine who is best placed to deliver tutoring support to meet their particular needs, including utilising existing school staff or others who are familiar with their school and pupil needs.

The School-Led Tutoring route offers flexibility for schools to identify their own tutors. The Education Development Trust have developed an evidence-based, virtual, and flexible School-Led Tutoring Training Course focusing on tutoring best practice. This will be offered to all school staff who are nominated as participants by their school leaders. The training will include a series of core modules which will provide participants with the knowledge and skills to plan for and deliver effective small group and 1:1 tuition in the school setting.