CAF FUNDING
FREE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS
6 weeks of free, one-to-one tuition for Year 8-12 students nominated by their schools during COVID-19 disruptions.
At the beginning of the school closures in April, we received funding from Charities Aid Foundation to provide free and discounted online private tuition for disadvantaged children across Northern Ireland.
With the funding, a number of secondary schools in Northern Ireland were able to nominate ten students each to participate in the free tuition scheme. These students were identified as being on free school meals or with special educational needs, and were offered 6 weeks of free, one-to-one tuition online.
The schools that have availed of the service include controlled secondary and grammar, Catholic maintained and integrated schools, with students between Years 8-12 receiving weekly support.
Why extra funding for schools is critical
“The CAF fund has helped to bridge recent gaps in learning. Covid 19 has disrupted many aspects of normal life and education was no different. The opportunity for our students to select their topics and context of learning was much appreciated by the school. With more funding, students can engage and help themselves to prepare for full time education starting again. It is vital to build confidence and ensure study skills are up to date. This will also help mental health and reduce anxiety as we support our students back into the classroom.”
“Funding for tuition is helpful to us as a college as we have a significant number of families on low income and are in a neighbourhood renewal area where families face significant socioeconomic challenges. As a consequence, it can be difficult for them in securing additional academic help for children who need it. The school provides extensive support both during and after school, but these young people have faced additional barriers to learning and need help to overcome disadvantage and fulfil potential. Furthermore, some families have adults who have deficits on their education and cannot assist their children to the level they would like. Tuition would be invaluable to them, but is often out of their reach financially.
The COVID-19 lockdown has affected these children by depriving them of classroom contact and in person support. In spite of the hard work of staff working online, this is not what our young people are used to and pupils will have had a more challenging educational experience over the last few months. Tuition will certainly help redress the balance somewhat as we return to the new normal and whatever lies ahead. It will support our delivery of education and learning and assist our pupils to reach their potential."
“Schools, like wider society, face ever increasing fiscal challenges and budgetary constraints. Tuition will assist us in adding another level of support to our young people and families who need it most at a time of unprecedented circumstances. It will further help support the mental health pressures that affect pupils in the current climate as they worry about their schooling and examinations to come. This support from Studyseed will prove very important to children who need it most.”
We are working hard to secure further funding to support more schools in this programme and to extend it into the upcoming school year. If you would like to register your school's interest in taking part in this scheme, please get in touch with us using the school contact form.