One to One at Asda
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Headteacher of Pelham Primary School, Andrew Hogarth, Sue Hackman, Josie Pilkington (10) from Pelham Primary School, Sue Phillips, Tuition Adviser for the Making Good Progress Pilot and tutor Edmund Sturley. |
The Government's Chief Adviser on School Standards, Sue Hackman, paid a special visit to Asda, Bexleyheath last weekend (14 June) to meet some of the children and parents involved in the 'Making Good Progress' pilot.
One of the elements of the pilot provides a 10 hour tailor-made programme of one-to-one tuition delivered by qualified teachers out of school hours, for pupils who meet specified criteria.
So far more than 500 pupils from the 44 Bexley schools within the pilot have received or are currently receiving individual tuition either at school after their normal lessons, in their own homes - or in this case the local supermarket!
The London Borough of Bexley is one of just 10 local authorities in the country to be involved in the two year government pilot which aims to monitor pupils’ attainment and to help pupils who are not progressing as quickly as they could in reading, writing or mathematics.
"The feedback from pupils who have received tuition to date is resoundingly positive and the impact of this extra help has been appreciated by parents and schools," says Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Schools, Adult Education and Youth Services, Cllr Simon Windle. "I am proud that Bexley is part of an initiative that could make a real difference to children who slip behind as they progress through school. It is great that we have been able to enlist the help of Asda in this project. Community links are important in order to support this venture and I understand that we are the first authority to work with a local supermarket in this way."
Making Good Progress Pilot Leader for the London Borough of Bexley, Maggie Ayres, negotiated with Asda to use their facilities on a Saturday morning. Three pupils from Pelham Primary School have their tuition while their parents are free to do their shopping. Ms Hackman was keen to see tuition in action in this more unusual setting.
“We are thrilled by this innovative idea, and the pupils are improving as a result,” says Sue Hackman. "Using Asda as a host, parents can drop off pupils and talk to the tutor before they go to shop. It avoids taking pupils out of lessons, or teaching them when they are tired at the end of the school day, or asking them to give up their lunchtime. Bexley is leading the way. Other local authorities are interested in following suit.”
The 'Making Good Progress' pilot will run in Bexley for two years finishing in July 2009.
