Nottingham North MP, Alex Norris visited Heathfield Primary School in Bulwell, on Friday 2nd July, to hear first-hand how pupils are recovering after lockdown and to learn more about the impactful tutoring designed to combat post-pandemic learning loss in maths and English that is being delivered by education charity Action Tutoring.
Mr Norris met Year 6 pupils enjoying an English and maths lesson delivered remotely online by dedicated Action Tutoring volunteers located across the country. Each Friday lunchtime 20 pupils benefit from this extra support designed to tackle any challenges they may face and to make up for the many months of lost education due to Covid-19. Action Tutoring – an official National Tutoring Programme Tuition Partner – has been delivering impactful tutoring provision to Heathfield Primary School since Autumn 2020.
“Many families had the means to provide their children with an effective education at home, or pay for a private tutor, whilst schools were shut. For the young people Action Tutoring supports, this was not an option. These are pupils who are already struggling academically and the absence of education, and any other means of support, has left them with an attainment gap of 18 months,” said Jen Fox, Interim CEO of Action Tutoring, who was there to meet Mr Norris.
“The pandemic has meant that pupils, particularly those that are disadvantaged have fallen further behind their peers, and programmes like this one are providing invaluable support to young people in Nottingham and across the country,” said Mr Norris.
“Volunteer tutors can have a powerful influence on pupils’ grades – it’s important to raise the profile of their outstanding work at Heathfield Primary and the nine other schools with which they partner in Nottingham”, he said.
Action Tutoring specifically supports children and young people facing socio-economic disadvantage, who are at risk of not meeting expected standards on leaving primary school. The journey through secondary school will be significantly more challenging and progress will be difficult to make if they do not reach the expected standard at the end of Year 6.
“Action Tutoring empowers its volunteers to support these children through training and development activities. Last year, despite the restrictions caused by the pandemic, the charity was supported by volunteers from all walks of life. These volunteers included university students, corporate employees and retirees. The charity is proud to deliver an activity that benefits both the pupils and the volunteers involved,” said Jen Fox.
Commenting on the event, Liam Battison, Assistant Headteacher, Heathfield Primary School, said, “Targeted academic support is needed now more than ever before. We are delighted to showcase the partnership between Heathfield and Action Tutoring. It is important to spread the word about the efforts Heathfield and Action Tutoring have taken to level the playing field between all pupils.”
One of the volunteer maths tutors on the programme, Jaleelah, said, “I have always had a passion for imparting knowledge. Hence, it’s been a great pleasure working with the children and helping them get more confident with mathematics.”
Action Tutoring started in London in 2011 and now, with support from the National Tutoring Programme, works in partnership with schools in eight regions across the country: Birmingham and Coventry; Bristol; Liverpool, Wirral and Southport; London; Newcastle and Durham; Nottingham and Derby; Sheffield and Sussex. The charity needs to recruit as many volunteers as possible to ensure that these pupils can be supported. To sign up to volunteer with Action Tutoring or to learn more, please email hello@actiontutoring.org.uk or call 0203 872 5894.
