Third Space Learning’s Post

I usually rate Schoolsweek but the title of this article is utterly misleading. Schools did not snub tutoring in the last year of the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) . There were 2 key factors for low take-up last year: 1. The requirement to match fund the subsidy given ridiculously stretched school budgets; and 2. The overwhelming workload on senior leaders which didn't allow time for planning and implementation of tutoring in their setting. The fact that around 6 in 10 schools did access the programme despite these factors is actually a significant win and shows how many did prioritise an initiative they could see was working for their young people. Closing the disadvantage gap is a priority for the new Labour government. Let's hope that inflammatory headlines like this don't undermine what has repeatedly been shown to be an effective, low cost intervention strategy that's been welcomed by students, schools and parents. The NTP needs a rebrand and relaunch and let's keep the good work going. https://lnkd.in/eDMwkeNK

It's good to see MPs turning up the pressure on government ahead of the budget on the importance of tutoring. It is still the best evidenced intervention for catching up on lost learning, and is needed now more than ever, which is why we think scrapping the National Tutoring Programme just doesn't make sense. Find out more about why tutoring is a good thing and its potential, then read 'The Future of Tutoring', which we wrote with Public First, Action Tutoring, Tutor Trust - Equity in education, and Get Further https://lnkd.in/eiwWcewf https://lnkd.in/ecdDejvc

Covid might be feeling like it was a long time ago, but the knock-on effects to those students aged 4 and above will be felt until they leave school... any additional funds should be left until at least 2036. Cutting them now will be far too soon and make bridging the gap that PP students already have, even harder. #youngpeoplematter #educationforall #bridgethegap #budget2024 #studentsupport #tutoring #learningforall #nooneleftbehind

We are extremely disappointed to see that funding for the National Tutoring Programme looks set to come to an end. The NTP has been a powerful intervention, mitigating inequalities in access to tutoring. It should be seen as a core, long-term part of the school system. Our research has shown that schools are already having to make cuts to essentials like teaching assistants. Additionally, Pupil Premium funding - which is given to schools specifically to support disadvantaged pupils - is also being used to plug gaps in schools' general budgets. With finances stretched, schools will struggle to fund the NTP themselves. https://lnkd.in/e68mARJz

We have been tutoring pupils in primary schools since 1995. We've been an approved Tuition Partner for the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) since it began in Autumn 2020. We know that small group or 1:1 support can make a huge difference to children, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are falling behind. We have a lot of data to show the gains those children can make. But research released today by Public First goes much further, and shows that the tutoring undertaken in the first two years of the NTP will have a long-term positive impact on the economy. It has looked at the expected rise in educational attainment and calculated that the tutoring undertaken in the first two years of the programme alone would contribute an extra £4.2bn to the UK economy. This means that for every £1 spent on tutoring, there is an economic gain of £6.58. The National Tutoring Programme (NTP) is scheduled to finish this summer, and to date, no new funds have been announced for ongoing tutoring. Is it time for a rethink Department for Education? Read the full report here : bit.ly/41ZUnX8 #EducationMatters #Tutoring #Impact #DisadvantageGap

Private education can be affordable, providing you plan properly and give yourself as much time as possible to save. What are your options if you want to give your children a private education? #financialplanning #wealthplanning #wealthadvice https://lnkd.in/ea4JVkZV

Private education can be affordable, providing you plan properly and give yourself as much time as possible to save. What are your options if you want to give your children a private education?   https://lnkd.in/ea4JVkZV #FinancialPlanning

Great news for the charter school sector! According to a new analysis, the conventional wisdom that the sector has reached its peak is wrong. The analysis found that there is still plenty of room for growth in the charter school sector. Check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/e6NpVPuH #charterschools #education #growthopportunities

When does character and context overrule efficiency? Clearly, in the organisational framework of the school system, having schools that can appoint teachers and run at a level viable within the normal structures is desirable; it produces value for money, is efficient, and enables schools to run. When a secondary school has less than 90 learners in a year group and a primary less than 15, it is a small school, and decisions are made from a system point of view of whether it is viable to continue to run. Clearly, this school in a rural area cited in this article has a significant contextual and community benefit. Efficiency will not be the top priority for this community, but the value of money for the learners in this school may be significant. The question is how small is too small, what can be done to ensure where small community schools are needed, and how can it be done for the best effect? https://lnkd.in/ec2KTDRV #educationreform #educationpolicy #education #schoolleadership #headteacher #principal #secondaryeducation #primaryeducation

“On the directive of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union, I write to draw your attention to the non-payment of school fees subsidy for third term 2023/2024 school year,” the ‘leaked’ letter stated. The timing of this communication is critical, as schools are currently closed and preparations for the 2024/2025 academic year are underway. The Union’s ‘leaked’ letter leaves no room for doubt about the seriousness of the situation. The delay in payments has not only caused financial strain on schools but has also undermined the confidence of teachers and administrators in the Ministry’s commitment to supporting education. “The Union is urging the Ministry for payment of the outstanding school fees subsidy before the re-opening of schools,” the letter continued. The SLTU’s demand is not just about the money—it’s about ensuring the stability and continuity of the education system. The Union emphasized that these payments are crucial for maintaining the operational flow of schools and ensuring that students have access to the resources they need from the very first day of the new school term. “It is expected that school fees subsidy should always be paid before or at the commencement of every school term,” the Union noted, highlighting a standard that the Ministry has repeatedly failed to meet. As the start of the new school year approaches, the SLTU is growing increasingly impatient. The Union’s leadership has made it clear that further delays will not be tolerated. “We look forward to the urgent payment of the backlog fees in order to ensure the smooth re-opening of schools,” the letter concluded, serving as both a reminder and a warning to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education. The government’s inaction on this matter is a disservice to Sierra Leone’s educational sector, and it is high time that the Ministry of Education and its officials take responsibility for their commitments. The SLTU’s call for immediate action should not go unheeded if the government is truly committed to advancing education in the country.