Lumina Tutoring with Homefield, Harrow and Sutton Virtual School
Homefield were delighted to have partnered with Harrow School, Sutton Local Authority and the Sutton Virtual School to support the provision for Looked After Children (LAC), through providing weekly 1:1 online tutoring sessions from within our experienced, specialist teaching staff. These partnerships, and the investment of skilled staff, have enabled us to develop forward-thinking approaches to extend our reach and raise the attainment of LAC. Homefield have a proud and successful history of outreach work, we have included several LAC pupils on full bursaries (one has recently graduated to the HMC senior school taking a full scholarship with him). We have also produced a guidebook for schools, based on our research into practice. We have also shared our learning at two recent national conferences for school and education leaders.
We have collaborated effectively on the Lumina project, considering the needs of these vulnerable pupils alongside the skill set of our specialist staff, tailoring tutoring to individual needs - from academic to mental health and wellbeing support.
Areas of our offer currently include mathematics and English support, preparation for external exams (SATs) as well as EAL and coaching for prospective career paths. Tutoring sessions are conducted virtually through the platform 'Vedamo' and has been a great success so far:
- 69% of children achieved their tuition based SMART target in PEPs
- 44% of children showed above expected level of academic progress in their tuition subject
- Children tell us they like building a trusting relationship with their tutor and this helps them feel more confident as a learner
- Children tell us they like it when their tutor has a belief in them to achieve better than they had initially thought was possible
Aims
To collaborate effectively with partners supporting Looked After Children and providing opportunities to access a broad and rich curriculum:
Pupils needs varied; however, overwhelming feedback was that pupils desired connection with adults who believed in their capabilities and built strong and consistent relationships.
The initial aim of the provision was to enhance academic attainment and support pupil wellbeing. Reflection following the first year of the project, demonstrated impact beyond initial expectations as evidenced by the growing range of skills delivered by tutors and the expansion of pupils wanting to take part.
A clear measure of success of the project is evidenced by the quantity and dedication of the Homefield teachers willing to participate, offering tuition beyond that of the requirements and expectations of their daily teaching role.
Background
The Headmaster of Homefield had been in contact with the Head of Lumina at Harrow School who had organised an initial and successful, rewarding pilot there. The Lumina pilot was able to expand and Homefield were eager for further involvement and make a difference to young lives.
Headteacher of Sutton Virtual School worked with Sutton Local Authority, collaborated, and identified different needs of pupils to pair with the skills and assets our Homefield teachers could offer.
In this second wave of the programme Homefield provide a dedicated member of the teaching staff, Shelby Rowe, to co-ordinate our response and lead on organising meetings and communications. Shelby acted as ‘trouble-shooter’ where needed, to keep matters on track and all stakeholders in smooth communication.
Our aim is to positively impact the lives of the most vulnerable group of children in the country by helping to aid and raise their attainment where we can by offering and providing our academic and pastoral resources at Homefield.
During this first pilot extended to Homefield we allocated seven pupils to our experienced teachers who are running weekly tutoring sessions across different key stages and areas of the curriculum.
A clear measure of success of the project is evidenced by the quantity and dedication of the Homefield teachers willing to participate, offering tuition beyond that of the requirements and expectations of their daily teaching role. Staff from both our senior leadership team, head of department team and teaching team all volunteered for service.
Resources
Human, Physical and Financial resources required:
Partnership with Harrow School, and the collaboration between the project lead, Virtual School Head and Homefield.
Vedamo platform support run by Harrow and Cognus.
Training for staff, both as a whole school inset to garner engagement, and then for those willing to offer tuition.
Local Authority/Virtual School collaboration for pairing assessment and process with existing staff and LAC pupils.
Access to appropriate technology and spaces.
Timings of tuition, and the coordination thereof - The Deputy Head Pastoral adapted our existing extracurricular timetable offer to free up Lumina tutors in order to facilitate sessions.
Previously, Homefield staff ran after school clubs four times per week, these were reshaped in order to allow the tuition to take place on a set day after school. Whilst staff can elect to schedule sessions at a time of their choice, all staff now have the option to be 'available' from 4:30pm on Tuesdays.
Impact
Following a rewarding and successful pilot from Harrow School, Lumina at Homefield not only supports academic success and achievement, but also provides an additional layer of security for more vulnerable children, where consistency and connection to adults can vary.
Homefield staff offer a weekly session, providing an extra layer of support to identified pupils, through a variety of learning and life experiences via Lumina and the Vedamo platform.
Homefield staff create an approachable, secure and positive atmosphere of inclusion through the Lumina sessions which contributes to the attainment and wellbeing of all pupils.
Feedback from the 1st year of the provision shows that:
-69% of children achieved their tuition based SMART target in PEPs.
- 44% of children showed above expected level of academic progress in their tuition subject.
- Children respond positively when building a trusting relationship with their tutor and this helps them feel more confident as a learner.
- Children feel successful when their tutor has a belief in them to achieve more than they had initially thought was possible.
- Pupils continue on with tutors past 12 months.
- Pupils feel confident to share when the relationship with the tutor isn't meeting their needs, instilling ownership and adaption of pairings.
Pupil Involvement
The current pupils attending Lumina sessions range from KS1 SATS prep to year 11.
The pupils are in years 2, 4, 6, 8, 7, 10 and 11, of mixed genders, covering a range of requirements including:
- Phonics/SATS prep
- EAL (English as an Additional Language)
- English
- Confidence for significant transition stages
- Maths GSE support
- Science GSE support
- General careers advice
Frequency
This is a first time pilot entering the second year of the provision, following a successful first year.
Pupils and pairings are reviewed regularly to identify whether the tuition will continue in the specific focus area or whether it would benefit from a change of subject.
Some tuition may change or end due to mitigating circumstances.
Pairings vary and some participants have the same tutee; whilst other tutors have had several pairings in order to find the most suitable partnership.