Student tutors score top marks in local schools

The University is entering its third year of working with award winning charity the Tutor Trust, which provides training and support to university students who wish to supplement their university studies by tutoring local school children. 

Through the Tutor Trust, University of Salford students have worked with over 400 pupils across 19 Salford schools, and clear improvements in performance are now emerging. The collaboration is part of the University’s wider strategy to support social mobility, helping people improve their lives through education and training – whether that applies to the pupils being supported, or the students delivering the tuition.

The biggest gains have been made in reading; Tutor Trust figures show that disadvantaged pupils in Salford are 19 percentage points below the expected SATs standard – 62% achieve the standard compared to 81% of non-disadvantaged peers. But for the pupils receiving tuition from University of Salford students, 77% achieve the expected standard – a 15% improvement on the local picture. 

Positive results are also showing in maths - though there is more work to be done. 62% of disadvantaged pupils in Salford met the expected standard in maths, whilst 83% of their non-disadvantaged peers achieved the standard - creating a 21 percentage-point gap. Tutor Trust tutees achieved 67%, narrowing the gap to 16 percentage points.

The University was recently ranked as one of the top institutions in the UK for supporting graduate social mobility, and its work with the Tutor Trust continues that focus. 

Recent A level attainment in Salford shows the stark need for support: only 13.6% of students in Salford achieved an A or A* this year, compared to a national average of 28%, underlining the need for programmes like the Tutor Trust in the city.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Salford Professor Nic Beech says the evidence of the University’s work with Tutor Trust are encouraging, but there is much more to do. 

“We are really pleased to see these results from Tutor Trust, and we’ve always believed that the system they have in place is a win-win for both pupils and our students who take part. The figures show our collaboration is having an impact on the academic performance of Salford’s pupils. 

“It is great for pupils to be mentored by people from similar backgrounds to themselves and helps raise aspirations and contribute to social mobility – a key focus for the University. In turn our students gain confidence and vital workplace experience, not to mention an income too. “ 

“That’s why we’ve extended our partnership with Tutor Trust for another year, as we identify ways in which tutoring can be recognised within existing work experience modules, enabling more students to gain valuable experience as part of their course while supporting young people across Salford.”

Ed Marsh, Chief Executive at Tutor Trust adds: “Tutoring changes how a child sees what is possible for them. When a pupil spends a term working with a student from their local university, higher education stops being a distant idea and becomes someone they know. Our Salford tutors tell us the role gives them confidence and a sense of purpose and the young people being supported tell us that the tutoring they receive is making a real difference to their lives. That exchange is what makes this partnership so powerful, and we believe it can make a lasting difference to Salford for generations.”

Anecdotally the University has been told that pupils receiving the Tutor Trust tuition are much less likely to be absent from school, another very positive impact of the scheme. 

Ensuring that Salford is a ‘Child Friendly City’ is a primary focus in the University’s Civic Agreement with Salford City  Council, meaning it will strive to ensure safe environments for children and to raise  ambition and achievement. Its work with Tutor Trust underpins that goal.