Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Accepted
Department progressively reduces National Tutoring Programme subsidy, shifting funding responsibility to schools.
Conclusion
The Department provided funding of £594 million for the National Tutoring Programme taking 2020/21 and 2021/22 together, and plans to provide a further £527 million in the following two years.45 It is progressively reducing the rate of subsidy it provides for tutoring, from 75% in 2020/21 to 25% in 2023/24, so schools are having to cover a growing proportion of the costs from other sources, such as pupil premium funding. After 2023/24, schools will have to cover the full cost of tutoring themselves.46
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation regarding funding and subsidy reduction, committing to monitor tutoring volumes and ensure tutoring is embedded across schools in England from 2024 as a staple offer, with further details to follow.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2024 4.2 The department agrees that it is important to monitor the volume of tutoring that schools are providing, which is why schools are asked to report on tutoring via the termly school census and a bespoke year-end statement. This monitors the number of pupils receiving tutoring, the number of hours delivered, and schools spend on tutoring overall. Because schools report their tutoring delivery at pupil level, the department is able to examine the characteristics of pupils receiving tutoring. This monitoring approach has worked well in academic year 2022-23 and will continue for academic year 2023-24. 4.3 The department’s approach was agreed with the Star Chamber Scrutiny Board, a panel of external partners from local authorities, schools, unions, and Ofsted. This board reviews all Department for Education data collection activities to ensure they are feasible, necessary, provide value for money and do not place undue burdens on schools. 4.4 The department has committed that from 2024, tutoring will be embedded across schools in England, and expects tutoring to continue to be a staple offer from schools. Further information on this will be provided in due course, including on any associated data and monitoring requirements. 4.5 The department is developing interventions that may be deployed, as appropriate, in academic year 2023-24 or in subsequent years, should there be a significant reduction in the amount of tutoring schools provide.