This week I was out and about in Camden, and that included an actual ‘real’ meeting at the British Museum. As part of the session, we were given the luxury of 25 minutes to explore the Nero exhibition, ‘The Man behind the myth’, where we were invited to capture an exhibit that we felt conveyed a message from history about leading through crisis to recovery and renewal. It was such a treat as I reflected, that I have had precious little time to do something for myself and I cannot remember the last time I visited a museum without a group of school children or my own kids, battling with the constant anxiety of keeping a constant watchful eye and telling them not to touch! The British Museum is really keen to welcome and see schools and young people, although there are not guided tours and the education room is not open, however if schools wanted to visit just for half a day then this can be accommodated. Most of the museum galleries are now open, from the world-famous Egyptian mummies, and the treasures of Sutton Hoo to the wonderful collection of the Islamic World (Opens in new window). Tickets to Nero: the man behind the myth and Thomas Becket: murder and the making of a saint and the permanent collection (Opens in new window) are now available to book. Entry to the Museum is now ticketed, both for the free permanent collection and paid exhibitions. All visitors, including Members and volunteers, are advised to book a timed slot in advance (Opens in new window).

Thanks to those schools that recently completed the tutor survey, where we asked schools to tell us about their engagement with the NTP programme, tutoring in general, which companies schools had used and any other options and alternatives that have been taken by schools. The survey revealed that primary schools had not generally used the NTP scheme, there were a couple of schools that had used local tutors, and also been creative in using a model such as, you find your own tutor and the school is then ‘matched’ via their systems. Insane paperwork but it means that the school can use current and ex-staff, so the quality is assured. Secondary schools had certainly used tutors more widely, with a broader range of companies. What did come through was the variability over quality of the tutor and also the challenge around online tutoring, which makes creating a relationship more difficult and provides room for slippage; with the added challenges in terms of technical arrangements and logistically for students to get from school to home to then set themselves up on time.

Currently, there is a lot of political debate around tutoring, in terms of the level of funding, the number of pupils it will reach, particularly targeting those disadvantage pupils, as well as understanding the arrangement with Ranstad. What is clear though, is the positive impact that tutoring can have on pupils, the EEF have extensive evidence showing the impact of using tutoring to support pupils who have fallen behind. I recognise that Camden Learning can help support schools and I have been in discussion with CoachBright about some emerging ideas; leaders have asked for a pedagogical guide for tutors, to help support the pitch, expectation and scaffolding required to accelerate learning. There is also something about developing the small group model which could involve tutors or Teaching Assistants. Another useful tool, which we have not gone far enough in promoting, is the benefits of Flipped Learning, a model that Gospel Oak have developed and researched. Finally, we need to support schools in a mechanism that enables them to spend the funding effectively, promote quality and ethical partners who can provide effective tutors and impact on pupils positively.

I’m pleased to advertise that Camden Learning is hosting a national webinar next week on Monday 5th July, 4-5pm, as part of a series of sector-led “Learning from the Pandemic” discussions led by members of the DfE Recovery Advisory Group’s COVID Positive Working Practices working group, which Martin Pratt is part of. We are leading a discussion on the role schools have played at the hearts of their communities during the pandemic, which Camden schools have really exemplified, and what this could and should look like in the longer term. Christine Gilbert will be chairing, and Helen Bruckdorfer will be speaking alongside Ed Vainker (CEO, Reach Trust in Feltham) and Debi Bailey (CEO, NEAT Trust in the North East). Please sign up here and share with any interested colleagues – the event is open to all educators and we hope to see many Camden colleagues there.

Jon Abbey

Managing Director of Camden Learning