A Four-Year Lifeline Has Closed

In August 2024, the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) officially ended after four years of providing government-funded tutoring to schools across England. Launched in 2020 as a response to pandemic learning loss, the NTP delivered 66 million hours of tutoring to students who needed it most.

But now it's gone—and families in Barking & Dagenham are feeling the impact.

The Numbers Tell the Story

According to the Department for Education's final statistics for the 2023/24 academic year:
• 59.4% of schools participated in the NTP during its final year
• Only 6 in 10 schools used the programme before funding was cut
• Millions of students who relied on subsidised tutoring now have no access to structured academic support
• Schools are struggling to fund tutoring independently amid budget pressures

The Guardian reported in July 2024 that headteachers urged the Labour government to find new funding to save the programme, warning that its closure would disproportionately affect disadvantaged pupils.

Their warnings went unheeded. The NTP closed as scheduled.

What Happened to the NTP?

The National Tutoring Programme was a £1 billion investment designed to help students recover from pandemic disruption. It offered three pathways:
• School-Led Tutoring – Schools employed their own tutors
• Tuition Partners – Schools worked with approved tutoring organisations
• Academic Mentors – Recent graduates provided small-group support

At its peak, the NTP was a lifeline for students in Barking & Dagenham and across the country. But as government priorities shifted and funding dried up, participation declined. By 2023/24, fewer than 6 in 10 schools were using the programme.

In August 2024, it ended completely.

The Impact on Barking & Dagenham Schools

Barking & Dagenham schools are now facing a double challenge:

1. No More Subsidised Tutoring

Schools that relied on NTP funding to provide tutoring can no longer afford it. According to the Impetus 2025 report, "Evolving State-Funded Tutoring for the Future," schools are struggling to maintain tutoring provision without government support.

2. Budget Pressures

The borough's DSB SFF 2025-26 Report highlights significant financial challenges facing local schools. With education budgets stretched thin and SEND funding deficits growing, schools simply cannot fill the gap left by the NTP.

3. Rising Demand, Shrinking Supply

Students who benefited from NTP tutoring—particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds—are now left without structured academic support. Yet the need hasn't disappeared. If anything, it's grown.

What Parents Need to Know
The NTP Delivered Results

ImpactEd's Final Evaluation Report (November 2024) confirmed the positive impact of school-based tutoring delivered through the NTP. Students who received tutoring showed measurable improvements in Maths and English.
But those gains are now at risk.

Private Tutoring Is the New Reality

With the NTP gone, parents must now turn to private tutors to secure the academic support their children need. This creates a stark divide:
• Families who can afford private tutoring will continue to invest
• Families who cannot afford it will see their children fall further behind

The attainment gap that the NTP was designed to close is now widening again.

The Economic Case for Tutoring

Even without government funding, tutoring remains one of the best investments parents can make. Research from Public First shows that pupils who received post-Covid tutoring will boost the UK economy by £4.34 billion through their higher lifetime earnings.

For individual students, the benefits are clear:
• Higher GCSE grades unlock university and apprenticeship pathways
• Maths and English mastery increases lifetime earnings by £14,579+ (Maths) and £12,873+ (Business)
• Structured tutoring accelerates progress in ways classroom teaching cannot always provide

What Barking & Dagenham
Families Can Do

1. Act Now—Don't Wait

The end of the NTP means demand for private tutoring is surging. Parents who wait risk missing out on quality tutors with availability.

2. Look for Qualified, Experienced Tutors

Not all tutors are equal. Look for:
• Qualified teachers with proven track records
• Structured, results-focused sessions aligned to exam specifications
• Transparent progress tracking and communication
• Flexible delivery (in-person and online options)

3. Invest in Core Subjects

Maths and English are the gatekeepers to further education and employment. Prioritise tutoring in these subjects to maximise impact.

4. Consider Group Tuition

Group tuition offers affordability without compromising quality. Students benefit from peer learning, structured sessions, and teacher-led instruction—at a fraction of the cost of 1:1 tutoring.

Becontree Tuition: Filling the Gap Locally

At Becontree Tuition, we understand the challenges facing families in Barking & Dagenham. With the NTP gone, parents need a reliable, affordable, results-focused alternative.

We offer:
• Qualified, experienced teachers (18 years teaching experience, including 5 years in SEND/SEMH)
• Structured group and 1:1 sessions in Maths, English, and Sciences
• Proven results: 100% pass rates, 2+ grade improvements at GCSE
• Flexible delivery: Hybrid in-person and online classes
• Affordable pricing: Group sessions from £30 for 2 hours

Our students don't just pass exams—they gain the skills, confidence, and qualifications needed for university, apprenticeships, and high-earning careers.

The Bottom Line

The National Tutoring Programme is gone, but the need for quality tutoring has never been greater. Families in Barking & Dagenham now face a choice: invest in private tutoring or watch their children fall behind.

The attainment gap is widening. Schools cannot fill it alone. Parents must act.

The question is no longer whether to get a tutor—it's which tutor to choose.

Sources:
• Department for Education: "National Tutoring Programme, Academic year 2023/24"
• The Guardian: "School heads urge Labour to continue funding national tutoring scheme" (July 2024)
• Impetus: "Evolving State-Funded Tutoring for the Future" (2025)
• ImpactEd: "Final Evaluation Report of the National Tutoring Programme" (November 2024)
• Action Tutoring: "National Tutoring Programme 2020-24"
• Barking & Dagenham Council: "DSB SFF 2025-26 Report"
• Public First: "Post-Covid tutoring boosts economy by over £4 billion"