Reed Backs Pilot Scheme for One-to-one Tuition in Loughborough Schools

Loughborough MP Andy Reed today gave his support to an innovative new government scheme to boost school performance by introducing one-to-one tuition for underachieving children.

Four schools in the Loughborough constituency Saint Winefride’s Catholic Primary School, Newcroft Primary School, Oxley Primary School and Shepshed High School – have been selected for inclusion in the exciting new programme, which will begin in September 2007 and will run for two years.

The scheme will aim to ensure that every child makes progress and will help even more children move up two National Curriculum levels in a Key Stage. It will give schools incentives and extra support to help them achieve higher standards.

Children who are in danger of under-achieving will receive an extra 10 hours of one-to-one tuition in English and/or Maths; core subjects which are fundamental to accessing the rest of the curriculum, to help them get back on track. Sessions will be personalised and planned in conjunction with the pupils’ subject teacher for maximum effectiveness so that they can tackle individual pupil’s learning needs at that time. The closer tracking of pupils’ progress will also mean that teachers will be able to give a more comprehensive report to parents once a term.

Short single-level tests will allow teachers and parents to see how and when pupils have made improvements – but tests will only be taken when teachers feel that the pupil is ready, reducing the risk of teachers “teaching to the test” and rushing pupils into tests they are not prepared for. Also, to reduce the burden of paperwork and bureaucracy, teachers will only be required to forward information once a term, and even then only if progress has been made.

The scheme will be delivered by qualified teachers and the implementation will be overseen by the Local Education Authority. Successful schools will be rewarded with a progression premium, if pupils have made adequate progress.

Emphasising his support for the new scheme Reed stated “this pioneering pilot scheme is a solid and practical way of assisting students who have previously struggled, to reach their full potential”. He added “it’s a welcome boost for local schools and I hope that as a result of the trials, the experiences and higher achievements from Loughborough pupils, will in turn lead to higher standards being achieved throughout the whole country”.

Reed also believes that teachers will particularly welcome this extra resource with a similar scheme in Australia seeing 75% of participants to make clear gains in their learning – in the UK this would mean thousands more children making faster progress than they would have done otherwise.