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Tutors United and The Guinness Partnership expand education programme for primary pupils
The Guinness Partnership housing association and learning provider Tutors United have expanded their online educational support programme to help a greater number of primary school pupils in England.
Tutors United support primary school pupils, aged 8 to 11 years, who find Maths and English difficult and who are at risk of falling behind during the current crisis. The outbreak of coronavirus meant Tutors United had to cancel all face-to-face teaching and they have successfully transitioned all lessons to online classes via Zoom, the video conferencing application.
Tutors United and Guinness are taking a three pronged approach to help families struggling with keeping up with schoolwork during and after the lockdown.
- Tutoring Young Residents – Regular, focused support for pupils in Maths and English. With a maximum of 6 pupils per class, each child gets as much individual support as possible. Tutorials are weekly and run across the entire academic year. (84 students)
- Tutors United Booster Service – Tutorials run in four-week blocks and focus on tackling tricky topics in Maths and English. Rolling registrations on a monthly basis and final registrations in April 2021 (350 students)
- The Summer Challenge – Light touch academic support for children looking to stay sharp over summer and use their Maths and English skills to build their own theme park. The challenge is a one-day fun-filled event. (60 students)
Catriona Simons, CEO of The Guinness Partnership said: “We are pleased to be able to work with Tutors United to expand the online learning programme for the children of our residents who may be struggling during these difficult times. The academic support offered will also help to reduce the barriers to learning faced by children who come from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Joel Davis CEO of Tutors United, added: “After nearly four months of no classroom-based learning, the attainment gap is going to widen considerably. Pupils from low-income households and with additional needs will, unfortunately, be the worst affected. That is why we are very proud to be expanding our online learning programme with The Guinness Partnership as part of our ongoing tireless work to level the playing field in education.”
Parents living in a Guinness property can apply to the programme via the website tutorsunited,org/register-your-child or through their Customer Liasion Officer.
Children who need it the most will be prioritised.
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Nathan’s success story
Nine-year-old Nathan Moges has been taking part in the Tutors United programme during Year 4 of primary school.
Nathan’s parents received a letter from their housing association, The Guinness Partnership, inviting him to apply for the English and Maths support sessions run by Tutors United. Nathan was attending face-to-face sessions before the coronavirus pandemic but faced with lockdown these lessons moves online via Zoom. 
From the start Nathan enjoyed the sessions. Talking about why he was chosen Nathan says; ”I used to be naughty in school and not listen to my teacher. Now I am much better at concentrating in lessons and enjoy my schoolwork so much more.”
During lockdown Nathan looked forward to his Tutor United sessions every Monday because it helped to bring structure to the week when his school Holmleigh Primary was shut. In English Nathan studied grammar, vocabulary and spelling and in maths times tables and fractions. As a result he is more confident in the basic building blocks. Nathan explains: “I now love doing fractions and multiplications. In my English assessment Tutors United inspired me to write about my dream holiday staying in a hotel in Spain and swimming in the hotel pool. I hope one day I will get to go.”
Nathan has excelled. His assessment revealed that although he’s in Year 4, he has progressed so fast that the Tutors United team started him on Year 5 work.
Nathan received a special ‘shout out’ at Tutors United’s mini online graduation held in July for his amazing progress in English this school year.