The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) is today urging teachers to sign up to a new government initiative which will provide extra one-on-one support for 600,000 pupils struggling in maths and English. The call to action comes as new research shows the majority of pupils (73 per cent) find it hard to ask for extra help in class.
The TDA is calling on current, former and retired qualified teachers to sign up to the programme, with the aim of recruiting up to 100,000 tutors by October 2010. Tutors will be paid to provide ten one-to-one sessions to eligible pupils aged seven to 14 to help get them back on track.
The majority of pupils see the benefit of extra support with maths and English, with nearly two thirds (60 per cent) of those questioned believing it would help them improve in the subjects they find challenging; and over half (51 per cent) that it would “help them to achieve their very best”.
TDA Chief Executive, Graham Holley, said:
“One-to-one tutors will help ensure that the right support is in place for all children who need it, regardless of class or social background. Our research shows that there’s certainly appetite amongst the pupils for more one-on-one time with teachers.
“I would encourage teachers to sign up for the programme, which can only improve their teaching skills and understanding of how children learn. They will be rewarded financially and professionally, plus there is flexibility to work when it suits them.”
Michelle Benger, a one-to-one tutor at Knowle Church of England Primary School in Solihull said:
"The sessions have helped me form closer bonds with the children and provided them with a secure learning environment. It's rewarding to see the children grow in confidence before your eyes and when they realise their potential within the subjects they make great progress. The children have really developed and the sessions have increased their confidence as they link directly to their specific needs. It's very rewarding to see the children thrive in these more focused sessions."
Harry, a year 3 pupil at Knowle Church of England Primary School in Solihull, who has had one-to-one tuition said:
“Tuition is fun because you get to learn maths in a fun way. The tutor is very friendly and she doesn’t get cross if I get something wrong. I need some more practice but my tutor is making it a lot easier for me. Tutoring helps my confidence. I am now trying hard to answer questions in lessons. I am happy. I get treated like an adult.”
Schools will work with their local authorities to identify eligible pupils and tutoring will begin in September. Sessions can take place in a school, in the pupil’s home, or at a town centre location such as a library. Tuition can take place during school hours, after school, at weekends or in school holidays.
Tutors will be paid a typical rate of £25 per hour for 12 hours per pupil – 10 hours tuition and two hours planning time.
For more information or to become a One-to-One Tutor, interested teachers should go www.tda.gov.uk/teachers/onetoonetuition, email: onetoone@tda.gov.uk or
call 0845 605 5002.
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Notes to Editors
- 1,053 children aged between 9 and 14 in England took part in the survey conducted by Opinion Matters for the TDA between 13.05.09 and 19.05.09.
- The One to One Tuition Programme is a Government-funded initiative to help children gain more confidence and understanding in English and maths. Designed for the pupils who would benefit the most, it complements classroom teaching by addressing barriers to learning that are personal and particular to each child.
- Key stage 2 (age 7 to 11) , 3 (age 11 to 14) and 4 (age 14 to 16) pupils will benefit from the programme.
- Case studies and spokespeople from the TDA are available for interview on request.
- This news release applies to England only.
