STUDENTS at a Reading college were paid a visit by one of the town’s MPs to share their experiences in catching up with studies following the pandemic.
Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East, joined students at the Reading College and University Centre last Friday and heard about how its work with tuition programme Get Further is helping those affected by the pandemic.
He also spoke with Sarah Waite, Get Further’s Founder and CEO, and senior college staff from Activate Learning, including Cheri Ashby, Deputy CEO of Activate Learning; Neil Brookes, Executive Director of Faculties and Colleges; James Clark, Director of English and maths; and Ginette Cox, Group Director of Quality and Consistency, to discuss the importance of the scheme and funding for this area.
The partnership has seen nearly 130 receive tailored support and tutoring in English and Maths since it launched in 2022.
Students who attended the programme more than six times in the 2022-2023 terms saw a pass rate 88% higer than the national average.
Their grade increase was also nearly double that of students that did not receive tuition.
Get Further delivers a tuition programme that helps students from disadvantaged backgrounds in further education to pass GCSEs in English or maths through specialist English and maths tutors.
Students who sign up for Get Further receive face-to-face support from a tutor in a small group to build confidence and skills in key areas.
Mr. Rodda, said: “I found visiting the college and Get Further very interesting, and I’d like to thank them for all the work they’re doing in this area.
“It was a pleasure to meet students receiving tuition, they are clearly enjoying and benefiting from it.”
Prabita Tamang, 17, from Reading, is studying a GCSE Humanities Pathway (Citizenship, English Language, English Literature, Geography and Maths) at the college.
She said: “It was very nice to meet Matt Rodda. He asked me about what we were studying and how it was going.
“The tuition with Get Further has helped me to improve a lot in tests. I love how my tutor guides me to do things. I can see the changes in the class.
“My teachers have seen major improvement and given me good feedback and my grades have improved too.”
Tia Price, 17, from Woodley, is studying GCSE English and maths at Reading College and University Centre, and said: “The tuition with Get Further has helped me to improve my English and maths studies because it’s just a bit extra on the side, especially when we have exams coming up.
“It takes a lot of the pressure off because instead of revising by yourself at home, you have someone who can help you if you have any questions.”
Cheri Ashby, Deputy CEO at Activate Learning, said: “Activate Learning is proud to partner with and support Get Further and their ambition to provide high-quality, small group English and maths tuition to students.
“We’ve seen a positive impact on our students who are receiving this tuition. It has also improved their attendance, wellbeing and progress on their main programme of study.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to welcome Matt Rodda, the Labour Member of Parliament for Reading East to Reading College and University Centre, part of Activate Learning, and have an interesting discussion about how he can work to support the extension of the catch-up Tuition fund.
“It is amazing that Matt was able to take time to meet with the students who are benefiting from the tuition with Get Further and that he’s interested to find out about the impact that it has on their lives and future progression opportunities.
“I felt that he understood and has a keen interest in looking at how to support continued tuition funding with our most vulnerable students to help them to succeed.”
Sarah Waite, Get Further Founder and CEO said: “It was fantastic to invite Matt Rodda MP to visit Reading College to showcase Get Further’s partnership with Activate Learning.
“We both heard from the students first-hand about the difference that having a tutor is making on their education and how their results are significantly improving. However, funding for tutoring for colleges is due to end this summer.
“The Government needs to urgently announce an extension, so that young people can continue to benefit from this effective intervention in future.”
