What we do
Primary school pupils from low-income families face an uphill battle at school. On average, they are 10.3 months behind their peers in Maths and English, two core subjects. By the time they reach their GCSEs, they’re almost 19 months behind. Catching up is often an impossible task, as private tuition is out of reach.
This is where our confidence-building, attainment-boosting free tutoring comes in. We know that Maths and English can be fun, so we designed our classes to teach and inspire all ability ranges – exciting lessons crafted by expert teachers that reflect the National Curriculum, as well as being inclusive of the communities we serve, and delivered by diverse university students in local centres and online.
Where we work
London
Liverpool
Midlands
Online
Tutoring Young Residents
programme
Our Tutoring Young Residents programme provides free Maths and English tutoring to primary school children across the country – both in communities and online.
We make sure classes are kept small – no more than six pupils at a time – to optimise the level of individual attention received by each child. The programme follows National Curriculum guidelines, with more than a little fun and excitement sprinkled in along the way!
We’ve teamed up with various local housing associations, primary schools, and other vital community organisations across London, the Midlands, Liverpool, and beyond to provide accessible and high-quality education to their families and young people.
2023-24 in numbers
683
pupils
engaged
3,080
hours of tutoring
delivered
109
tutors hired,
trained, and paid
60
total
hubs
66%
average progress
in Maths
1.2
sub-levels average progress
in English
In partnership with KORI Youth Charity
S.T.E.A.M. Ahead
We have partnered with KORI Youth Charity, specialists in youth work, to develop S.T.E.A.M. Ahead, which engages a larger group of Year 5, 6, and 7 pupils over a week-long programme in school holidays. S.T.E.A.M. Ahead combines challenge-based, creative learning in STEM topics, peer-led wellbeing sessions facilitated by youth workers, and employer-led activities focused on the real-world application of STEM.
Following our Easter pilot, pupils reported feeling more confident and resilient in their learning, more positive about the upcoming transition to secondary school, and equipped with a better appreciation of STEM.
Following the successful pilot during Easter 2025, S.T.E.A.M. Ahead will return through the generous backing of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Who are our tutors?
We hire, train, and pay inspiring university students – most of whom also come from low-income households – as tutors, providing them with meaningful, paid work experience, underpinned by academic and professional development.
All tutors are Enhanced DBS checked, are trained and supported throughout the academic year, and are regularly reviewed and observed across the programme.
83%
from Black and Asian
backgrounds
53%
from a low-income
background
44
different degree
subjects studied
35
different universities
attended
45%
fluent in an additional language
to English
We can’t do this work alone
Without Tutors United’s generous, forward-thinking partners, funders, and friends, our work wouldn't be possible.
