Resits support: Online tutoring to nail the basics
The gap between exams ending and resits beginning can feel huge for any teen who didn’t get the grades they wanted or needed this August. After a long summer break and with students no longer in school trying to catch up and improve their grades, it can feel like an uphill battle for many.
For schools, sixth forms and colleges, providing the right, targeted support needed to help your students get the grades they need can be just as tough. That’s why many 16-19 institutions seek support from targeted interventions such as online tutoring.
This year’s GCSE results: overview
This summer, over 180k pupils failed to achieve a grade 4 or higher in GCSE English and over 175k pupils failed to do the same in GCSE Maths. The pass rate overall has declined slightly yet again, leaving many in need of help so their students can ‘cover the basics’.
This year's pass rate was 67.6%, the lowest it’s been since 2019, with the pandemic, grade boundary changes and population increases meaning more students this year will need to resit their exams, particularly in core subjects.
We know that achieving a 4 or higher in core subjects has a huge impact on the pathways open to students post-16, with students who do being more likely to get a degree.
How can MyTutor support your GCSE resitters?
Our research shows that pupils are 3x more likely to achieve a grade 4 or higher with MyTutor. This makes our programmes an ideal intervention to help your students get the grades they need this November.
Plus, 73% of pupils felt that their MyTutor lessons made them feel motivated to achieve their future goals. We know that rebuilding confidence after a setback is important for keeping teens engaged in their education and ready for the next steps.
The top 5 benefits of using tutoring for resits students:
- We offer flexible lessons between 8am and 7pm online that work around student schedules
- Our tutors are all near-peer, meaning they’ve been through (and aced) the same exams recently and can help rebuild confidence
- Personalised learning targets the specific learning gaps and exam techniques your students need to get it right the second time around
- Tutoring is evidence-backed, with the EEF recognising it as a high-impact intervention for closing attainment gaps
- Plus, our tutors cover 30+ subjects including all the core subjects and more specialist ones like computer science too
Through a targeted programme of intensive 1:1 or small group (3:1) lessons, our tutors can get your students back up to speed and ready to nail tough exams a second time around.
What funding is available for resits?
Government funding is available to support students with English and Maths resits this November. This new funding has been introduced for those who didn’t achieve a grade 4 or higher in English and Maths. The aim is to reduce the attainment gap at age 19 by providing tailored education or other extra support as needed.
For Academic Year 2024-25, £600 million will be invested to enhance post-16 English and Maths education with students required to do 4 hours of Maths and 3 hours of English study per week.
Funding is allocated per student using a band system based on the planned number of hours of study. As such, students could receive up to £375 per subject.
Can the 16-19 funding be used for tutoring?
In short, yes! The DfE has told us that funding can be used for tutoring to help students receive the minimum number of study hours per week this year.
In the first year of the fund, the government will be testing out what interventions work best for supporting resits, so you can use your funds for tutoring. We want to be a part of that test and demonstrate just how effective tutoring is for this group and will be a key player in advocating for funding for tutoring to continue.
Where can I learn more about the 16-19 fund?
Head to the DfE website to learn more about what funding is available to your school and how to access it.
You can also speak to our MyTutor experts who can provide bespoke support on maximising your available funds for tutoring.
While resits are a setback for many teens, there are ways to support students to get it right the second time. MyTutor offers an ideal solution for GCSE resits, helping to build confidence and exam technique ready for November through DfE funds.
To find out more about our programmes, get in touch with our team today.
