We are honoured that our long-standing partners, the University of Manchester, have recognised our contribution in helping to nurture the teachers of tomorrow.

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University, presented the award, ‘In recognition of valued partnership in teacher education’, to Tutor Trust Co-Founders Nick Bent and Abigail Shapiro at our recent 10th Anniversary Summer Reception. Dame Nancy, the keynote speaker at the event, presented the award in front of 140 of our key supporters, partners, tutors, Trustees and staff.

The award recognises our long-term involvement with the University’s Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), both in our tutor training and in providing tutoring opportunities for student teachers on the course. Over the last decade, the partnership has seen 1,000-plus University of Manchester students train to become tutors with us and go on to deliver high-quality tuition to thousands of young people across the North of England.

In her speech, Dame Nancy spoke warmly of the connection between the two organisations, saying: “Tutor Trust is a pioneer. A Manchester, if not a national, first. It was Tutor Trust that brought tuition – then only the preserve of those families that could afford it – into schools to support those who most needed it, democratising education one pupil at a time.”

Nick and Abigail were delighted to receive the award; they commented:

We are honoured to receive this award, recognising our long-term partnership with the University, and the role their teaching team play in the training of our tutors. 

“We value enormously the support of Mike Fitzpatrick (Associate Tutor, School Liaison PGCE Secondary) and his colleague Carmel Kellett (PGCE English Subject Lead) who deliver key elements of our training, enabling our trainee tutors to get to grips with the practice of teaching.

“Their support in preparing our trainees to deliver high quality tuition, which has a direct impact on young people in the North of England, has – and continues to be – invaluable.

“We are proud that tutoring not only gives students vital experience in a classroom environment, whether they are planning to teach or not, but also helps them develop a range of valuable skills that are so important for any future career.”

Shaun Barton, Course Director of KS5 Mathematics at Trinity CofE High School, Manchester, was a tutor with us before going on to study for his PGCE at the University of Manchester. He acknowledges the skills tutoring helped him develop:

Tutoring at Tutor Trust was integral to my development in preparation for my career in teaching. It was the best opportunity that I could have to visit as many schools in the area as possible and to hone my modelling and explanation techniques.

“The four years that I spent tutoring mean that I have much more experience than I would have at this stage of my teaching career, and I will always be grateful for the foundations that were laid out for me by Tutor Trust."

Andy Howes, Programme Director PGCE Secondary and a Senior Lecturer in Science Education at the University, says of the award:

It is recognition not only of the deep links we already have – such as the longstanding contribution of the PGCE team Mike Fitzpatrick and Carmel Kellett to the high quality pedagogical training of Tutor Trust tutors – but also what we want to develop further – the relationship between tutors and PGCE trainees, and between Tutor Trust staff and the PGCE lecturers.”

In the 10 years since the valued partnership with the University of Manchester began, we have gone on to develop further vital partnerships with key educational institutions in all parts of our city regions, working closely with them to encourage their students and graduates to train to tutor with us. As well as University of Manchester, we are delighted to also be working closely with:

  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • University of Salford
  • University of Liverpool
  • Liverpool John Moores University
  • Liverpool Hope University
  • Edge Hill University
  • University of Leeds
  • Leeds Beckett University
  • Leeds Trinity University, and,
  • University of Bradford