End of tutoring scheme raises fears for Suffolk's disadvantaged students

The big picture: The National Tutoring Programme, designed to help pupils catch up after Covid-19 disruptions, is being wound up this summer despite calls from education leaders to extend the scheme.

By the numbers:

• 59% of Suffolk schools (188 out of 321) used the programme from September to May
• Suffolk pupils started 10,030 tutoring courses in this period
• This marks a decrease from 16,721 course starts at the same point in 2023 when 74% of schools participated

Why it matters: The programme's discontinuation comes as experts warn that Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis continue to impact disadvantaged children's educational outcomes.

What they're saying: Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, called the programme's end a "great shame", adding: "The new government must focus on strategies to close the disadvantage gap, which could include restoring funding for the NTP, as well as wider cross-government work to address the very high level of child poverty in the UK."

The other side: A Department for Education spokesperson said: "The Government is committed to driving high and rising standards to break down the barriers to opportunity so we can improve the life chances of all children."

They added that the government plans to introduce free breakfast clubs in every primary school and develop "an ambitious strategy to reduce child poverty".

The bottom line: As government funding for the tutoring programme decreases, fewer Suffolk pupils are accessing this additional support, raising concerns about the long-term impact on educational inequalities.