Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Accepted
Department prioritises quality and training to build a sustainable National Tutoring Programme market.
Conclusion
We asked the Department how it would create a sustainable tuition market, given the different skills needed for tutoring and classroom teaching. It told us that quality was key and that, important though finding additional tutors was, effective practice and use of evidence for how effective tutoring is delivered were essential. The Department emphasised the National Tutoring Programme’s focus on training. Over 20,000 people had been through that training, which it said had resulted in a long-term legacy of more people in schools skilled to deliver one-to-one and small group tutoring.52 44 Qq 104, 112, 113 45 C&AG’s Report, Figure 4 46 C&AG’s Report, para 1.17 47 ERS0007 The Tutor Trust, page 9 48 ERS0002 Action Tutoring page 7 49 Qq 93, 95 50 Q 95 51 Q 96 52 Q 110 Education recovery in schools in England 13 Tracking progress towards the ambitions in the Schools White Paper
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's conclusion regarding a sustainable tuition market, committing to embed tutoring across all schools in England from 2024 and expecting it to continue as a staple offer, with further information to be provided in due course.
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.