ASCL comment on Ofsted press release about schools focusing tutoring on exam students

Responding to Ofsted’s press release on education providers focusing tutoring interventions on exam preparation, Julie McCulloch, Director of Policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“It is completely understandable that many schools and colleges have determined that focusing tutoring on students who are taking exams is the most effective use of limited money. This is likely to be where tutoring support is most urgently needed when young people have fallen behind, particularly post-pandemic. Qualifications are of vital importance to these students and will determine their routes in further and higher education and in future careers. Good outcomes are particularly crucial for disadvantaged students as they help to provide a route to higher income occupations.

“Clearly, there may also be a need for extra support for other age groups too, and a great deal of work goes on to provide that support in a variety of ways. However, there is limited funding available for tutoring and hard decisions have to be made about where it will produce the most benefit. We would strongly encourage the government to continue to provide funding for tutoring beyond this year, when this is due to finish, to ensure as many children and young people as possible can benefit from this additional support.”