The future of online tutoring is targeted, high-quality and engaging– and, while debates rightly underline “the good, the bad, and the ugly” in terms of how online tutoring is being practised sector-wide, the evidence shows that, for the majority of learners with Pearson, our personalised provision has substantial qualitative and quantitative benefits. 

Understanding the impact

We know that online tutoring works when it is done well. For two years running, pupil progress across all subjects and areas has increased by around two-thirds in response to Pearson’s current tutoring programme: specifically by 67% in 2020/21 and 63% in 2021/22.

From small group session – a maximum of three students – to in-depth, individual support, the positive impacts of tutoring are widely reported by Pearson learners themselves. In our latest survey, 87% of students told us that online tutoring helps them to feel focused and relaxed, while the searchable recordings of their sessions aid further learning, ensuring their online lessons stay with them long after tuition ends.

The educators we work with see it too. When describing their student’s experience, one teacher told us: “He always comes back to class with a big smile on his face.”

This year, our participating schools reported average student engagement levels of 86%, student confidence levels of 73% and student understanding levels of 77%. As schools across the UK strive to address the gaps exacerbated by lockdown, online tuition has understandably become a key part of the sector’s toolkit – giving students the extra help they need to overcome disruption and lost learning; improving their wellbeing as well as their academic outcomes. 

Supporting schools

In 2022, over 80% of teachers witnessed a positive impact from Pearson online tutoring, with more than one in two teachers saying it had improved their students’ attainment and confidence. As educators decide how to engage with online tutoring provisions now, and going forward, it’s important to look at the details of what created those positive impacts, as well as where further improvements could be made– all the while seeking first-hand feedback from the sector.

The use of external tutors, whose costs are largely covered by government funding, allows teacher time and resources to be more effectively deployed to match individual needs, which in turn benefits whole-school communities. As Deputy Headteacher of Woodlea Primary School Adele Key explained: “Tutoring, especially in the external capacity, means being able to tap into a vast number of highly qualified teachers to carry out the small group work some of our pupils really need, whilst freeing up our staff. For me as the teacher, this means that I don’t need to spend hours planning sessions to be delivered by my own staff, or my own staff then needing to deliver the sessions.”

Expanding on the benefits, Pearson tutor Suzanne Markham, highlights the positives that result from a close rapport between tutors and teachers: “Sessions can be personalised to suit each student, I can include images to explain concepts and use different resources. Each tutoring session can have a different lesson objective and different retrieval questions that are relevant to each student. I can also ensure that their tutoring session is complimenting their classroom learning.”

Why it works

Since the Pearson Tutoring Programme began in 2020, we’ve made it a priority to focus on clear, open communication between schools, families and high-quality tutors, not only in advance of a learner’s first session, but throughout the entire process. Creating a tutor workforce that exclusively comprises fully qualified UK teachers, skilled in meeting individual needs and learning styles whilst aligning with existing classroom plans and practices, further ensures that students have the best chance of fulfilling their potential as a direct result of the programme.

Another key element to the process comes in correctly identifying pupils for whom online tutoring will be most effective – and matching these with the best tutors and tools for them. This fully includes pupils with SEND; a group that can especially benefit from an online tutoring set-up. When individuals have been carefully chosen by schools – mixing children who work well together, perhaps with compatible learning styles and interests – there is a far higher chance of being able to hit the ground running, and getting the high-quality, focused attention they need.

Attuned tutors can then use specialised techniques to better connect learners with their subjects – adapting materials to suit individual needs, introducing topics with characters learners love, creating a fun and relaxed environment in which learners will thrive. The aim: to empower children to accelerate their learning and help close any gaps with their peers, while enabling class teachers to continue making progress with larger cohorts.

Getting it right

With 87% of Pearson students reporting that online tutoring is as effective, or more effective, than in-person tutoring, and the positive impacts witnessed so widespread, it would be remiss of us as a sector to dismiss the potential of online tutoring. When the right people, right processes and right tools are on hand, learners clearly can and do succeed.

“Tuition is helping my learning click into place,” one Pearson pupil recently told their teacher – just one variation of what Pearson tutors are hearing across the country. Supporting learner progress; boosting confidence, understanding and engagement; giving children the step up they need to move on from disruption and disadvantage. Pearson online tutoring has helped thousands of students already, and is well-placed to help many thousands more as we look to the road ahead.