Birmingham MP, Jess Phillips visited Ark Victoria Academy, on Thursday 8th 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, being delivered by education charity Action Tutoring.
During the visit Ms Phillips met Year 6 pupils busy enjoying maths and English lessons delivered remotely by dedicated volunteer tutors located across the country. Each Wednesday and Thursday morning up to 20 pupils benefit from this extra support designed to tackle any challenges they face and help make up for the many months of lost learning due to Covid-19. Action Tutoring – an official National Tutoring Programme Tuition Partner – has been delivering impactful tutoring provision to Ark Victoria Academy, since 2017.
“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 Ms Phillips.
“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 Birmingham and across the country,” said Ms Phillips.
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 this 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 117 volunteers from all walks of life on its programme in Birmingham. 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.
“Even before the crisis, disadvantaged pupils were, on average, already 18 months behind their non-disadvantaged peers by the end of secondary school. Projections suggest school closures will widen this gap, reversing all progress made to narrow it since 2011. Studies suggest it could widen by as much as 75%. Targeted academic support is needed now more than ever before and Action Tutoring is working to level the playing field between disadvantaged pupils and their peers,” said Jen Fox.
Commenting on the event, Kate Baker, Deputy Head, Ark Victoria Academy, said, “Targeted academic support is needed now more than ever. We are delighted to showcase the partnership between our school and Action Tutoring. We are so lucky to have this charity supporting our pupils in trying to level the playing field and give them the opportunities they deserve.”
“It has been an incredibly rewarding experience to volunteer and support the learning of Year 6 pupils remotely, at a primary school local to me in Birmingham,” said maths tutor Justina.
“Despite the disruption caused by the pandemic over the last year, my pupils have shown enthusiasm, been willing to learn and have continued to make progress. I’m really looking forward to next year.”
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.
