The National Tutoring Programme (NTP) was a scheme that provided state-funded primary and secondary schools in England with funding to spend on targeted academic support through one-to-one or small group tuition from the 2020/21 to 2023/24 academic years.
It aimed to support pupils most affected by disruption to their education as a result of the coronavirus (COVID- 19) pandemic, and to improve the attainment of disadvantaged pupils or those below the expected standard or grade boundary in an applicable subject.
In the 2023/24 academic year there were 3 routes for schools to provide subsidised tuition through the programme:
- academic mentors – in-house staff members employed to provide intensive support to pupils who need it
- tuition partners –tutors recruited by external tutoring organisations quality-assured by DfE
- school-led tutoring – members of a school’s own personnel, either currently employed or specifically engaged for this purpose, including retired, returning or supply teachers, support staff, and others
In 2023/24, the funding provided through the programme was intended to subsidise up to 50% of the cost of tuition with schools covering the rest of the cost through other budgets. In the previous academic year, the subsidy rate was 60%.
In 2023/24, mainstream schools received a minimum of £67.50 per pupil premium eligible pupil, and non-mainstream schools received a minimum of £176.25 per pupil premium-eligible pupil. In the previous academic year, mainstream schools received a minimum of £162 per pupil premium-eligible pupil, and non-mainstream schools received a minimum of £423 per pupil premium-eligible pupil.
Funding allocations are calculated based on the number of pupils eligible for pupil premium. The Education and Skills Funding Agency has published the allocation of funding for schools and local authorities for the 2023/24 academic year (opens in a new tab).
Further information is available in the guidance for schools 2023 to 2024 document (opens in a new tab).