Donor Impact Report 2020

Below, we hear more from Revd.Tim Buckler, our College Chaplain and Head of Community Action, about a new partnership which the College has formed with the charity Action Tutoring as part of our outreach programme. “18 months ago, I became aware of an educational charity called Action Tutoring and the outstanding work that they undertake. Many disadvantaged children in our country are not able to access additional tutoring that will help in preparation for both their SATS exams in Year 6 and their GCSEs in Year 11. There is great evidence that tutoring is a highly effective intervention to support a child's education. But for those from low-income backgrounds, the cost of tutoring is simply prohibitive. Action Tutoring seeks to address that, assisting children in specially chosen state schools to: ‘achieve a meaningful level of academic attainment, helping them to progress to further education, employment or training’. It was tremendously exciting for Dulwich College to be approached by them. Traditionally, Action Tutoring had used professionals, graduates and retirees as their volunteer tutors; to be the first school to trial this provision with existing students is a great honour. As Head of Community Action at the College it seemed logical for me to become an Action Tutoring tutor myself in order to experience first-hand both the demands and the impact of this provision.

This tutoring became something of a highlight in my week. To see the levels of engagement from my three tutees combined with the development of their clear potential was both an inspiration and privilege. The resources that were used were carefully compiled by Action Tutoring and I was able to spend some well- directed time in preparation for meeting the children each week. I was tutoring English and so would read a passage with the children and discuss questions that were tailored to the style of question that they might expect in the actual SATS exam. I have valued the relationship that we as a school have developed with Action Tutoring. The support that they give to tutors is structured and practical. As of November this year, we have launched our first group of U6 boys who are tutoring for 10 school weeks up to February 2021. Coronavirus has had a significant impact on Action Tutoring. Summer 2020 was spent creating an online platform so that tutoring could be virtual. Our Year 13 boys will, therefore, be tutoring online. This is a terrific way that Dulwich College is able to invest both in the development of our own pupils as well as in our service to others.” Head of Lower School at Dulwich College

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