There are now three easy to access, subsidised routes to tuition, designed to complement each other, allowing schools to choose from up to three areas of support from Tuition Partners, Academic Mentors and new for this year, School-Led Tutoring, where eligible schools are given a ring-fenced grant to fund locally sourced tutoring provision. Each of these routes can be used as an additional resource and support for teachers, so you can help the pupils you believe need tutoring sessions the most, in a way that works for your school.
Registration to take part in the NTP is simple to follow via the online Tuition Hub. Once you’ve submitted your details, you’ll receive a call from an Engagement Manager to discuss next steps. You will also have access to a handbook and video tutorials explaining the application process on the NTP YouTube channel.
Which is the best tutoring route for your school?
Flexible catch-up sessions
You can decide when and what format of tutoring will take place to meet the needs of your pupils. This could be a one hour session once a week for 15 weeks, two one-hour sessions a week for seven to eight weeks or two 30-minute sessions for 15 weeks. Tuition provided during the school day tends to have a more positive impact where attendance and engagement is more likely. Some schools have found rotating tutoring session times, especially across year groups, works well or have arranged sessions during form time, breakfast clubs, after school or even on a Saturday morning. If some pupils progress quicker than others, you can free up their place to accommodate those with a greater need.
One-to-one sessions
One-to-one tuition is delivered in 15-hour blocks by an Academic Mentor or Tuition Partner, to help pupils catch up in a range of subjects, revision lessons and additional support. This is especially helpful for SEND pupils or for those with additional needs.
Group learning options
Some schools have opted to work with a Tuition Partner or Academic Mentor focusing on a 1:3 ratio of support to pupils in a group session. This intensive tuition can support lower attaining learners who have a wider attainment gap following the pandemic, but it can also be used as a more general strategy to ensure effective progress, or to teach challenging topics or skills. Pupils will receive more feedback and are more likely to be engaged.
Virtual learning
Engaging with virtual learning during the lockdown has already brought challenges. At-home, catch-up tuition has worked best where parents support the process and understand why and how the NTP tuition is taking place and where pupils are encouraged to see the tuition as a positive step for their future development and confidence building.
Tuition Providers will work together with schools and families to arrange tutoring at an appropriate time for pupils, either immediately after the school day, or if tutoring is taking place at a weekend, broadly in line with school hours.
Tutors will provide advice to support pupils to get prepared for their tutoring sessions. This will include advice about location and materials required to get the most out of each session. They will continue to provide feedback on sessions by liaising with teachers to make sure tutoring is complementing what happens in the virtual classroom and to monitor the pupil’s progress.
Learn more and register your school to participate in the National Tutoring Programme.
