The National Tutoring Programme (NTP) was launched by the Department for Education during the 2020/21 academic year in response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Its primary objective is to support schools and teachers in providing sustained assistance to pupils who have fallen behind in their studies because of lockdowns, particularly disadvantaged pupils who are eligible for pupil premium. The programme also aims to address the ever-widening attainment gap. Today, National Tutoring Programme funding is still considered invaluable for mainstream primary and secondary schools in England and this blog delves into how the funding mechanism works, along with the benefits it brings to both schools and pupils.
National Tutoring Programme Funding Mechanism
The NTP operates by allocating funding to eligible mainstream schools, enabling them to engage quality tutoring providers. Fleet Education Services is an approved provider; schools may only choose providers who have passed stringent assessments and who are approved Tuition Partners.
Schools have the flexibility to decide which pupils would benefit the most from National Tutoring Programme funding, based on their needs and circumstances, and schools with a higher proportion of disadvantaged pupils will receive larger funding allocations. The funding can be utilised for one-to-one or small group tuition sessions, and may include pupils in danger of exclusion, those who struggle to attend school on a full-time basis due to social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and are falling behind, or those pupils who aren’t meeting age-related expectations. Additionally, it can help pupils who need exam support, whether that is with revision techniques or exam preparation.
Current Subsidy Levels
For the 2023-24 academic year, the subsidy is 50%, which means that the National Tutoring Programme funding allocation is set out to fund half of the costs of tuition. A maximum cost per pupil has been set at £18 per hour, so schools would pay £9 towards the cost, for example, and schools can use various funding streams to contribute towards the cost of tuition. The team at Fleet can help schools make sense of the funding streams available to alleviate concerns over financial pressures.
Benefits to Schools
The National Tutoring Programme funding empowers schools to offer targeted interventions to pupils who need it the most. This helps to bridge learning gaps and ensures that no child is left behind. With access to high quality tuition programmes such as those provided by Fleet Education Services, schools can expect to see improvements in academic outcomes. Pupils who receive additional support are more likely to catch up on missed learning and perform better in assessments and exams. The subjects that pupils can receive tuition in using the NTP are mathematics, English and science for primary level, and for secondary pupils, it can be provided for mathematics, English, science, humanities and modern foreign languages.
Quality Assured Tuition
All educators that provide tuition through Fleet Education Services are fully qualified and experienced, and all have completed accredited training in delivering effective tutoring, safeguarding and child protection. They are all fully vetted in accordance with the Keeping Children Safe in Education framework and their work is overseen by Fleet’s Quality Assurance team who moderate and verify educator reports on progress.
Measurable Results
Fleet Education Services uses a virtual learning platform to make every pupil’s progress trackable. Teachers can be assured of measurable results and can access the platform to view attendance, attainment and engagement for each pupil at any time. What’s more, reporting on cohorts is also available for small group tuition programmes of up to six pupils.
Success Stories
Fleet Education Services has supported hundreds of schools with its supplementary provision programmes and following the introduction of the NTP subsidy many more schools have reported remarkable success stories. Pupils who were previously struggling in their studies have shown significant improvement in their academic performance, leading to increased confidence and motivation. These success stories underscore the effectiveness of the NTP funding model and its positive impact on both schools and pupils.
One middle school commented, “We’ve seen a real boost in the children’s confidence and abilities, so thank you for making a huge impact.”
Benefits to Pupils
Tutoring under the NTP is personalised to the needs of individual pupils. This one-to-one or small group support allows pupils to focus on areas where they need the most help, accelerating their progress. Fleet Education Services’ experienced educators will discuss your requirements and tailor the programme of tuition accordingly.
Confidence Boosting
Pupils who receive supplementary tuition often experience a boost in confidence as they grasp challenging concepts and achieve better results. This can have a positive ripple effect on their overall attitude towards learning, as one pupil commented, “I used to hate maths, because I thought I was bad at it, but in reality, I’m really good. I’ve just never been taught it in the way Jo teaches me. My grades have improved so much in the last 6 months and I’m really proud of myself for progressing.”
Conclusion
The National Tutoring Programme’s funding mechanism for mainstream schools in England represents a crucial step in addressing educational inequalities and enhancing the educational experiences of pupils. By allocating resources based on need, providing flexibility in choosing tutoring partners, and subsidising the cost of tuition, the NTP empowers schools to offer personalised support to their pupils. As the NTP continues to evolve and adapt to the changing educational landscape, it holds the promise of unlocking the potential of countless pupils across England, ensuring that they receive the support they need to thrive academically and beyond.
If you’d like to discuss how the NTP can help pupils in your school, click here to complete our enquiry form and our experienced team will be in touch: https://bit.ly/46dabH6