In today’s educational environment, personalised and flexible learning solutions are more important than ever. This is particularly true for students who need additional academic support due to various challenges, from catching up after the COVID-19 pandemic to preparing for exams under pressure.
One school that recognised the value of such tailored support is Hinchingbrooke School in Cambridgeshire, which has been working with Tutor Doctor Cambridge since 2021. Their partnership, shaped by the National Tutoring Programme (NTP), has yielded significant results and exemplifies the power of adaptive learning.
Keep reading to learn more about our transformative partnership!
The Need for Support: Rising to the Challenge
Hinchingbrooke School, a large secondary school that caters to pupils aged 11 to 18, first turned to Tutor Doctor when the UK government launched the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) to support students impacted by the pandemic. As part of this initiative, schools were provided with additional funding to help bring students back to their expected level of learning. For Hinchingbrooke, the challenge was to provide flexible, high-quality tutoring that could address gaps in learning caused by lockdowns and online learning.
As Anna Nightingale, Vice Principal of Hinchingbrooke School, explains: “We have found Tutor Doctor Cambridge to be a great company to work with. The staff are efficient and communicate in a timely fashion, whilst at the same time recognising all of the other pulls on our time. The more closely we work with the company, the more effective the tutoring we set up together.”
A Tailored Approach to Learning
Tutor Doctor stepped in with a flexible and responsive tutoring programme. Initially focused on core subjects like English, maths, and science, tutoring began with Year 11 students heading into their GCSE exams.
The use of online tutoring via the Lessonspace platform meant that sessions could be tailored to each student’s needs, whether in school or at home. This flexibility became crucial as the demand for remote learning increased, making it easier for students to access support without compromising their safety.
One of the standout features of this programme is Tutor Doctor’s commitment to safeguarding. All tutors are DBS-checked and undergo continuous safeguarding training to ensure the safety and well-being of students throughout their learning journey. This commitment to safety has provided reassurance to both the school and parents.
One-to-One Solutions for Individual Success
While group tutoring was the main approach, some students required more personalised, one-to-one support. Tutor Doctor adapted its services to meet these individual needs, working closely with the school to ensure that students received tuition that was aligned with their specific academic goals.
For example, one Year 13 student benefited from personalised tutoring that was both adaptable and in sync with the school’s goals. Carla Black, Head of Year 13 at Hinchingbrooke, commented: “Tutor Doctor has been a really useful tool for one of our Sixth Form students. They have been adaptable to the student’s needs and have been excellent at communicating with the school along the way.”
Group Tutoring: Achieving More Together
In addition to one-to-one sessions, Tutor Doctor also ran small group tutoring sessions, which are highly effective for certain students. These sessions were conducted with a tutor working with 1 to 3 students at a time, ensuring full engagement and optimal communication between students.
While the Lessonspace platform can accommodate up to 5 students per group, Tutor Doctor found that groups of 3 students offer the ideal balance of interaction and learning.
By collaborating with the school’s liaison contact, Tutor Doctor was able to match students with appropriate tutors, split students into ability groups, and create a well-structured, monitored system. The programme ran after school twice a week, making it convenient for students while ensuring high levels of attendance.
As Anna Nightingale notes: “Attendance is great because students have short, sharp bursts with good quality tutors. We have done this for a couple of years now, and I would say it is one of the interventions which has the biggest impact on the outcomes of students. I would thoroughly recommend the company!”
The Impact of the Summer Revision Programme
One of the highlights of the partnership has been the Summer Revision Programme. In 2025, this will mark the third year that Tutor Doctor has run a 6-week revision programme for Hinchingbrooke students.
These sessions, which take place every day for one hour, help students prepare for their GCSEs across key subjects like biology, maths, physics, and chemistry. Both the school and parents contribute financially to this initiative, making it a shared effort to support student success.
A Year 11 student who participated in the Summer Revision Programme reflected on their experience: “I spent 5 of the 6 weeks of the holidays participating in Biology, Maths, Physics, and Chemistry revision sessions. Throughout my experience, I was able to receive beneficial advice from the tutors as well as helpful guides, links, and resources which allowed me to continue my revision outside of the online tuition sessions. Personally, I found this extremely beneficial as even now I am able to use the notes and pre-recorded revision lesson videos to my advantage.”
This programme not only helped students with their academic revision but also provided resources they could use independently. The ability to re-watch sessions and access additional learning materials has been invaluable for students.
A Partnership That Evolves
The partnership between Hinchingbrooke School and Tutor Doctor has been a dynamic and evolving one. Initially supported by NTP funding, this collaboration has continued even after the funding ended, thanks to the flexibility and adaptability of Tutor Doctor. As budgets for schools become tighter, it is vital that tutoring services like Tutor Doctor continue to deliver measurable outcomes without compromising on quality.
Since the start of the partnership, Tutor Doctor has tutored 303 students at Hinchingbrooke, and the results speak for themselves. The personalised approach has helped students improve both academically and personally, with many gaining the confidence and skills they need to succeed.
The Power of Tailored Support
The success of the partnership between Tutor Doctor and Hinchingbrooke School highlights the importance of personalised tutoring in today’s educational landscape. By offering flexible, online tutoring solutions that cater to individual student needs, Tutor Doctor has made a significant impact on the academic journey of Hinchingbrooke students.
Whether it’s group tutoring, one-to-one sessions, or the highly successful Summer Revision Programme, Tutor Doctor’s approach is proving to be invaluable in supporting students and helping them achieve their academic potential.
As Anna Nightingale put it: “The more closely we work with Tutor Doctor, the more effective the tutoring we set up together.”
With a commitment to excellence, flexibility, and student success, Tutor Doctor continues to be a trusted partner for Hinchingbrooke School and other institutions looking to provide their students with the best possible educational support.
Want to see similar results in your school? Find your nearest Tutor Doctor location today to find out how our tailored tutoring solutions can help your students achieve their full potential.
