Having the opportunity to catch up with our tutors, in the classroom, is one way we are reminded of the power of tuition. We just love to find opportunities for our funders and trustees, to visit our partner schools and see tutoring sessions take place.

The most recent visit was by Tutor Trust Trustee, Lucy Crompton, to our long-term partner Reddish Vale High School in Stockport. Lucy, who is Chair of our Finance and Risk Committee, was joined by our Executive Director, Abigail Shapiro, and Manchester Secondary Schools Manager, Cliona O’Hanlon. Deputy Headteacher, Carolyn Forsyth, who leads tuition at the school, hosted the visitors. 

Reddish Vale High School has been a partner of ours since 2019, and we’re currently running science and maths tuition programmes with Years 10 and 11 to prepare them for their GCSEs.

The first cohort of tutees has now finished their 15-week programmes, and the impact of the support is clear. On average, the first maths cohort made an average of 12 percentage points of progress between their baseline and endpoint tests, while the first science cohort made an average of 15 percentage points of progress. Progress was accelerated for those who attended 10 or more hours of tutoring, with these pupils averaging a 19 percentage point improvement in maths and an 18 percentage point improvement in science. The tuition sessions prompted one Year 10 science pupil to write: “I’ve enjoyed every single bit of it and Miss has pushed me. The Trust and Miss should be very, very proud.”

After a quick tour of the school, the three sat in on a Year 10 Science session with our full-time Tutor Fran Riley, and a Year 10 Maths session with part-time Tutor Sam Lightwing (pictured), where they were able to see the interactions between the tutors and pupils.

For Lucy, it was a great way to be reminded of the purpose of Tutor Trust.  She said: “It is really illuminating to see tuition in action. Visiting Reddish Vale High School and receiving such a warm welcome from Carolyn and then hearing first-hand about the impact our tutors are having, makes me truly proud.  It was fascinating to observe Sam and Fran’s sessions and see the rapport between them and their pupils.  It really shines a light on the power of tuition and what it can achieve.”

School leaders looking to set up tuition in their own schools can find out more on our website.