STCG comprises 4 College campuses across South West London; Carshalton College, Kingston College, Merton College, and South Thames College. The 16 to 19 tuition fund is ring fenced funding for schools, colleges and all other 16 to 19 providers to mitigate the disruption to learning arising from coronavirus (COVID-19).
The funding is provided to support small group tuition for 16 to 19 students in English, maths, and some other courses where learning has been disrupted. The students supported all need to be those who had not achieved grade 5 or above in GCSE English and/or maths and/or have a grade 4 or above in English and/or maths, are from an economically disadvantaged background and would need catch-up support. All supported students must be on a 16 to 19 study programme.
The STCG 16 to 19 tutor fund is primarily utilised to support improved English (literacy) and maths (numeracy) skills via small group tuition (no more than 1:5 delivery unless in exceptional and specific circumstances), to learners who have not yet achieved their enabling grade 4 in GSCE English and maths or made sufficient progress towards it. There is a focus on ensuring that study programme learners with additional support needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have access to the tutor provision as a priority. In some Colleges, and in a small selection of vocational areas, the fund is being utilised to enhance subject specific numeracy and/or literacy skills. Tuition support offered will be based on an individual needs assessment, the identification of an individual starting point, clear learning goals, expectations and outcomes.
STCG have specifically employed additional English and maths tutors, as well as utilising existing staff to deliver and support the small group tuition programme. The newly employed English and maths tutors are a range of highly skilled professionals and recent graduates, who have high levels of subject specific competency. As part of the employment package the tutors are being trained specifically to work in an FE environment using pedagogic methodologies that are evidence-based to ensure the best outcomes for learners.
Delivery methods are designed to meet the needs of each College and to ensure the tutor programme works in close alignment with the in-class teaching. The primary delivery method is skills-based in-year small group tutor support, complemented by intensive holiday core skills and exam preparation sessions. The support package is primarily delivered via on site tuition with some limited on-line delivery in some areas.
Our primary aim is to ensure maximum reach, and educational benefit and impact, for the widest range of in-scope students as possible, to support improved literacy and numerous skills.
The College Group is committed to ensuring the tuition fund is used in accordance with the Government’s guidance on the 16 to 19 tuition fund by:
- producing this statement setting out how the fund will be used to support the most disadvantaged
- publishing this guidance on the College website
- recording all students in receipt of activity funded by the tuition fund in the individual leaner record (ILR)
- recording the use of the fund, including references to individual students who receive support, the needs of those students, the number of hours of tuition delivered and retain the evidence of the tuition provided and additional cost
- delivering the extra tuition and spend the allocated funds in the academic year 2022/23
- notify the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) of any underspend from the Fund for it to be reclaimed
Please see the full guidance for more information.
