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2015

volunteers handbook

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Welcome and thank you

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Where we work

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Why we matter

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Why our volunteers matter How we work The tutor journey What you can expect from us What we ask from you What your pupils expect from you Volunteer support Top tips Case studies Impact statistics FAQs

Contents page

www.actiontutoring.org.uk

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Welcome and thank you

www.actiontutoring.org.uk

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At Action Tutoring we’re passionate about our volunteers. Our work would not be possible without you and we want to say a big thank you to each and every one of you. We rely on the generosity, skills, commitment and enthusiasm of our volunteers. In 2014/15 we worked with nearly 700 fantastic volunteers!

Volunteers enable us to deliver our mission of supporting pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve the academic qualifications they need to progress to further education, employment or training. We know the need is huge. As an organization we rely on the work of each of you to enable us to achieve our goal.

We really hope that you enjoy your time volunteering with us and find it rewarding. We want you to have a fulfilling experience and to learn new things too. This guide is designed to help you get the most from your time volunteering with Action Tutoring and to tell you about the support you can expect from us.

Thank you again for volunteering with Action Tutoring!

Best wishes, Susannah Susannah Hardyman, CEO Action Tutoring

www.actiontutoring.org.uk

where we work

We work with schools to provide volunteer tutoring programmes in London, Sheffield, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol and Brighton. Across the country in 2015/16 we’ll be working with approximately 50 schools.

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www.actiontutoring.org.uk

Education is vital to ensure that young people from all walks of life can achieve their goals in a socially mobile society. Butthere is a huge divide in educational outcomes between pupils facing socio-economic disadvantage and their more affluent peers.

why we matter

We matter because:

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We want to make sure that pupils facing socio-economic disadvantage are given the best chance of achieving their potential. We do this by working with pupils to help them achieve at least a ‘C’grade in maths and English at GCSE. This is important because a ‘C’ is a passport to further education, employment or training. Pupils not achieving this are often left behind. Many become one of the million 16 – 24 year olds in the UK not in education, employment or training.

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We work with schools that have a significant proportion of pupilswho are eligible for free school meals, who would be least likely to access the benefits of private tutoring.

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In England, in 2013/14, 65.3% of all pupils achieved 5 A* - C’s at GCSE. Shockingly, just 38.7% of pupils on Free School Meals reach this benchmark. Also, only 16% of pupils on Free School Meals go to university. This is the problem that we address!

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Our tuition is free for our pupils. Private tutoring is an ever expanding and increasingly expensive market, with an estimated 26% of pupils across the country now having a private tutor at some point during their secondary school career. Disadvantaged pupils, unable to afford this support, are left facing an increasingly uphill battle.

Provision of small group tuition has been proven to be an extremely effective way of raising pupil’s attainment. Research shows pupils can make up to 5 months additional progress*.

Our support increases pupil’s subject knowledge, confidence and study skills.

Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. In 2014/15, 700 volunteers enabled us to provide 5,250 hours of tutoring to those who need it most. Without our fantastic volunteers, working towards our mission of tackling educational inequality would not be possible! Each of you bring a diverse range of experiences, amazing passion and commitment allowing us to reach hundreds of young people.

So we thank you!

Why our volunteers matter

www.actiontutoring.org.uk

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