New figures published today (19 July), show the growing impact of the Government’s revolutionary National Tutoring Programme, with almost 1.8 million courses started so far this year across an estimated 80% of schools.

With almost 600,000 course starts in the last two months alone, the boost in tutoring means the programme has now reached just under 2.1 million courses in total, transforming the way young people receive targeted support in school.

The Government set a target of two million courses for this academic year. Final data will be published by the end of the year, with numbers expected to continue growing over the summer.

The 1.8 million courses, started between 1 September 2021 and 26 June 2022, demonstrate the huge value of the programme and the resilience of schools, teachers and young people, in the context of disruption to pupil and staff attendance over the winter, amidst the Omicron wave.

Developed as part of the Government’s ambitious Covid recovery plan, the National Tutoring Programme is supporting pupils across England to get back on track following the disruption caused by the pandemic. It forms part of the Schools White Paper pledge to offer high-quality support to any child that falls behind in English and maths.

Today’s figures also reveal that an estimated 80% of schools are now participating in the programme, highlighting a 14pp increase in take-up since May 2022. The data also highlight the continued success of school-led tutoring, which now accounts for over three quarters of all courses started.

The Department has today announced the appointment of three new delivery partners: Tribal Group, Education Development Trust, and Cognition Education, reflecting the programme’s new operating model for next year which will see funding go directly to schools, making it easier than ever before for pupils to access tutoring sessions. This will replace the previous model, in which Randstad acted as the sole contractor of the programme.

School’s Minister, Will Quince, said:

The National Tutoring Programme is helping to level up opportunities for millions of children across England and these latest figures are further evidence of the programme revolutionising the support available to the children who need it most.

I am determined to provide every pupil with the opportunity to reach their full potential and look forward to working with Tribal Group, Education Development Trust, and Cognition Education to continue growing this vital programme and ensure even more children can benefit from the high-quality tutoring we know makes such a difference.

In total, 1,433,793 courses have been started through the school-led tutoring route this academic year, with a further 200,835 through Tuition Partners, and 147,318 through Academic Mentors.

As schools this week receive confirmation of their funding for the next academic year, with allocations totalling £349 million, the three new organisations that will support the delivery of high-quality tutoring over the next two years have been announced:

• Tribal Group will support schools by quality assuring Tuition Partners. This will ensure schools can have confidence in the quality of tutoring provided by Tuition Partners that are involved in the programme.
• Cognition Education will recruit well-qualified people to work as academic mentors and deploy them to schools that are most in need of additional tutoring resource.
• Education Development Trust will provide high-quality training for new tutors, which will ensure that all tutors employed in schools have the right skills and knowledge for the role.

Kathryn Harris-Gurner, Head of Operations, Tribal Group, said:

We are delighted to be playing a part in the next phase of the National Tutoring Programme. The Government’s investment in tutoring has the potential to be transformational for all schools, but in particular those serving pupils from the poorest backgrounds.

Building on what has already been learned in the first two years of the NTP, we will be working closely with school leaders, the tutoring sector and the DfE to put in place a new system for selecting and monitoring Tuition Partners, which ensures high standards across the country.

Tina Lucas, CEO, Cognition Learning Group, said:

We are extremely pleased to have been awarded the contract to support the National Tutoring Programme. As a company dedicated to transforming the lives of children and young people through learning, we are proud to be selected to support schools with access to high quality Academic Mentors as they seek to address the challenges faced by many our most disadvantaged pupils as a result of pandemic disruptions to their education.

Yalinie Vigneswaran, Programme Director, Education Development Trust, said:

The national catch-up programme is a vital initiative and Education Development Trust is delighted to be carrying on our involvement in ensuring the damage wrought by the pandemic does not undermine school pupils’ life chances.

“The National Tutoring Programme is making a real difference to outcomes for young people across the country. We are excited to continue bringing our decades of experience and expertise to this work.”

Today’s statistics also highlight the continued success of the programme in areas like the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber and West Midlands, meaning that the programme is reaching some of the most disadvantaged children in the country.

Data published earlier this year indicates that primary pupils have already recovered around two thirds of progress lost due to the pandemic in reading, and around half of progress lost in maths.

A £5 billion investment into education recovery will continue to help children and young people to recover from the impact of the pandemic, ensuring that no matter where a child lives or what their ability might be, each will be supported to thrive. It will continue to play an important role in supporting the government’s Levelling Up mission for education, for 90% of primary school children to achieve the expected standard in Key Stage 2 reading, writing and maths by 2030.

Schools are encouraged to continue using the programme as part of any summer provision they are running.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and Aardman are delighted to announce the winners of the 2022 ‘Wallace & Gromit’s Cracking Ideas’ competition.

The competition challenges youngsters to come up with an invention, support the awareness and understanding of IP rights through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects for Key Stages 1 and 2 (ages 4 – 11 years).

Entrants to the 2022 competition were challenged to answer ‘How should we be travelling in the future whilst considering the natural environment?’ Children were encouraged to take inspiration from Wallace & Gromit’s iconic inventions and consider how the design could be both fun and sustainable.

The competition saw a wonderful 1,126 entries, making it especially difficult for the judges to pick the ultimate winners from such a remarkable and inventive array.

The winning entry in the Key Stage 1 category was a design from Emily Benson from Cosby Primary in Leicestershire for the ‘Cheese Mobile’; powered by sustainable resources and constructed from cheese, it’s a cracking invention that caught the eyes of Wallace and Gromit. The runner up in this category with the creation of the ‘Super Springy’ boots was Minnie-Jay Williams from New Invention Junior School in Willenhall; special features of the boots include a cheese and water spray, handy for when you are thirsty or hungry on the go.

In the Key Stage 2 category, the winning entry was ‘The Moon Rider’ from Evie-Moon Cleary at Westcliffe Primary School, Scunthorpe; a litter collecting boat that is powered by the wind, sea, and sun, a great use of renewable natural resources. The runner-up in this category was ‘Wallace & Gromit’s Tea Wagon’ from Jasmine Jayde Chin at Ysgol Nantgwyn, Tonypandy; the wagon has an offering of any type of tea you desire and is powered by used teabags. An inventive way to reuse the teabags that would have gone to waste.

Running alongside this year’s challenge we had ‘Wallace & Gromit’s Tour of Innovation’. Travelling a mile around the UK for each competition entry received, Wallace & Gromit discovered innovations of the past and future. We can announce that the school that sent the duo the furthest is Cosby Primary in Leicestershire, a cracking total of 239 miles, congratulations.

The Intellectual Property Office’s Chief Executive Tim Moss said:

Our Wallace and Gromit Cracking Ideas Competition continues to show how young people have the gift of imagination without limits, as the wealth of inspiring and imaginative entries demonstrate every year.

It’s great to see that the competition is helping the next generation of creators and innovators understand the importance of protecting their original ideas. I would like to thank the teachers, parents, and helpers for encouraging the entrants and helping them grow their understanding of intellectual property as an asset for life. Encouraging and educating young people about the importance of IP will help build on the UK’s proud history of creativity and innovation, helping secure their future and make life better for all.

Emily Jones, Brand Manager at Aardman, said:

It was a joy to see all of the fantastic inventions from more young creative minds this year. We were blown away by the oodles of creativity, ideas and inspiration taken from Wallace & Gromit, from tea powered engines to cheesy vehicles! Well done to all who took part.

The Intellectual Property Office provides a series of education resources, competition and outreach to support innovation, creativity and intellectual property, including ‘Wallace & Gromit’s Cracking Ideas’. To find out more, you can get in touch with the IPO via ideas@crackingideas.com.

Notes to Editors:

• the Wallace & Gromit’s Cracking Ideas campaign includes curriculum linked teacher resources for Key Stage 1 and 2, plus a competition

• the project will support STEM curriculums as well as areas of English and numeracy at Key Stage 1 and 2

• the campaign is a flagship education programme for the IPO and contributes to ‘creating a world leading IP environment’, helping increase IP’s impact through awareness and education

• Aardman, an employee-owned company, is based in Bristol (UK) and co-founded in 1976 by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, is an independent and multi-Academy Award® and BAFTA® award winning studio. It produces feature films, series, advertising, games and interactive entertainment

• Wallace and Gromit, Aardman’s most loved and iconic duo, have been delighting family audiences around the world for over 30 years. They are internationally celebrated, winning over 100 awards at festivals – including 3 Academy Awards® and 5 BAFTA® Awards

• the studio runs the Aardman Academy which has a commitment to nurturing talent by delivering excellence in film and animation training and mentoring. The Aardman Academy offers a variety of courses from intensive one-day workshops teaching production skills and storyboarding, to comprehensive twelve-week courses for professionals in craft based subjects from model making to animation

• in November 2018 it became an Employee Owned Organisation, to ensure Aardman remains independent and to secure the creative legacy and culture of the company for many decades to come

This year we have been privileged to welcome 4 talented young people into the Government Legal Department (GLD) through the Kickstart Scheme. Hanif Hatab, Human Resources (HR), Rachel Fenner, Business Management, Nathan Lea, Business Management and Lauren Le, HR discuss the work that they have been undertaking during their time at GLD.

Hanif Hatab, HR Administrative Officer said:

I applied to the Kickstart Scheme as I had planned to explore other career options for myself outside of teaching.

My primary responsibility involves digitising sensitive confidential information and making sure it is stored digitally in the most secure way. Assisting with 2 different projects within diversity and inclusion inspired me to follow a similar route.

The experience is invaluable as being within a space of work where I feel comfortable has left me with certainty in what I want to pursue as a career. Now, I look towards achieving a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualification so I can gain the necessary skills to progress within the HR field and become an integral part of the HR team.

Rachel Fenner, Business Management Administrator at Department for Transport (DfT) Legal Advisors said:

My name is Rachel and I am an Executive Officer (EO). After graduating in summer 2021 with a degree in accounting and finance, I decided to apply to the Kickstart Scheme. This 6 month programme was a great opportunity to gain work experience in an office environment while figuring out where I wanted my career to go.

I joined the Business Management Team in the Department for Transport in December 2021, working as a personal assistant for 3 different deputy directors. I have been part of an amazing team, who have made me feel welcomed and supported from day one.

My role mainly consists of diary management for lawyers I support, but I have also managed the special bonuses awards and I’m also an IT focal point. This involves on-boarding, off-boarding and various other admin tasks.

I have completed and currently finishing 3 different courses – The Agile Project Management (Foundation and Practitioner course), IBM SPSS Statistics and Crossing Thresholds which is a mentoring programme for women. My confidence has really grown since working here, especially with communicating in work environments and feeling comfortable in reaching out for help.

I have also gained clarity in the next steps in my career – I am starting a masters in psychology in September while working part time as an EO and afterwards plan to work as a research assistant for a psychologist.

Nathan Lea, Business Management Administrator at Department for International Trade (DIT) Legal Advisors said:

I am Nathan Lea and I am 19 years old. I am currently working in DIT Legal Advisors Business Management Team as Office Support. I decided to apply for the Kickstart Scheme to get valuable work experience in a professional environment, with the allure of the Civil Service being one of the main reasons why I prioritised my application to GLD.

My role has involved project work for my head of business management and other deputy directors, mainly utilising Excel skills which I have cultivated during the time in my role. The benefits of this scheme have been innumerable to me.

Before this opportunity, I didn’t know if the soft skills that I developed in school would translate over to work effectively, and this role has given me the confidence that I believe will allow me to progress in my career. The open, inclusive and welcoming environment has made me realise work is not as scary as I thought. I have been offered an EO role in DIT Legal and hope to continue my career in the Civil Service.

Laura Le, HR Administrative Officer said:

My name is Laura and I graduated in 2020. During the pandemic, I was in a predicament as I could not decide if I should continue a law career. I considered HR as it involved the application of employment law – something I enjoyed studying at university.

I was drawn to the Kickstart Scheme at GLD as the position was in HR and within the legal industry, meaning I could experience and contrast the 2 fields. I have since taken on various responsibilities supporting Employee Services and the Government Legal Profession’s (GLP) Diversity Summer Scheme and Buddy Scheme.

I am currently assisting and learning from other departments within HR. I have found it especially useful to network and have found everyone at GLD extremely welcoming, supportive, and inclusive. I also have a lovely and supportive new mentor who stretches my personal and professional development.

My time at GLD has been immensely beneficial as I have acquired insight into HR and legal. I am now looking to secure a position within HR to develop expertise and complete a CIPD qualification.

• New ONS data shows number of working women is now 2 million more than in 2010
• Women in high-skilled jobs is up 38.5% since 2010, with proportion of women progressing into top management roles growing by almost 25% over last 12 years
• The results come as the UK sees another unemployment rate of 3.8% – below pre-pandemic levels

The number of working women has now reached 15.7 million – a rise of 2 million since 2010 with more women progressing into senior, higher-skilled jobs.

The figures show the portion of women becoming managers, directors and senior officials has climbed almost 25% since 2010, rising by nearly a quarter of a million. Women in professional occupations is also up 40% since 2010 and almost 40% more have moved into associate professional and technical jobs like science, technology, engineering and maths.

Young women are currently one of the fastest growing working group, with 7.7% more women aged 16-24 moving into employment across the year. New OECD data also shows the UK has the second highest female and youth employment rates among the G7.

DWP Minister, Julie Marson MP said:

It’s fantastic news that today we’ve got 2 million more women in work than in 2010, and the latest OECD data shows we have the second highest level of women in work in the G7.

As we grow the economy, it’s vital we make sure everyone can find a job that’s right for them – and importantly that they can progress in work.

That’s why we’re keeping up our support to get people at any age or career stage into work, including a new multi-million pound offer to help the over 50s get into, and remain in employment.

To help working mothers, the government recently announced a new package of measures to increase childcare support for parents amid rising costs. This included a call for more parents to take up support through Universal Credit, which allows families to reclaim up to 85% of their childcare costs, worth up to £1,108 per month.

The government knows that work is the best route out of poverty, and people can be £6,000 better off in work that out of work on benefits. DWP work coaches are supporting jobseekers, at any age or stage, get into secure and long-term employment, because as well as financial benefits a job also brings social and wellbeing benefits.

DWP is also investing a further £22 million in its 50PLUS Champions jobcentre support package. The recent announcement means more over 50s jobseekers will receive more one-to-one employment support, so they can continue to reap the benefits of their invaluable work experience and boost earnings ahead of retirement.

The jobs figures out today come as the DWP’s Way to Work jobs drive reached its target of helping half a million people on benefits find work in five months and as the department sets out to build on its in-work progression agenda – helping working people receiving Universal Credit to progress in their jobs and earn more money for their families.

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