Case studies and Testimonials
NTP Case Study 2022/23
The NTP published the following case study about our work with Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC). When working with Erdington Academy, we were commissioned to support some of their UASC. Specifically, the school was looking to build pupils' confidence and English speaking skills in time for September through commissioning us for English as an Additional Language (EAL) tuition. In addition, we also delivered some maths tuition to further boost confidence and reduce the attainment gap. In mid July, we received a referral form for an unaccompanied asylum seeker from Afghanistan. The student’s first language is Pashto, with identified communication, interaction, cognition and learning needs. The student had low academic performance and was a child looked after. The tutor was able to increase the students interest and engagement in his lessons by incorporating his interests into lessons. Tuition was running so well that Erdington Academy requested that it continue into the Autumn and Spring terms. Throughout this time, the student displayed consistent and excellent engagement with the sessions, making steady progress in advancing their English.
Case study 1
Student feedback:
“I have been using a tutor from Equal for just over a year now. I have not been able to access education due to health so a tutor has been working with me at home. This has worked so well for me. Last year I achieved my functional skills in Maths and English and then went on to study for my GCSEs. I am actually now taking four GCSE’s and expected to get good grades and this wouldn’t of happened had it not been for the guidance and support of my tutor Melanie and Equal Education. I can’t thank them enough and will actually be sad when I’m finished this year!”
Parent/carer feedback:
“I just wanted to write an email to you about one of your tutors who tutored my daughter last year when she was unable to access education and was just brilliant with her giving her the confidence to do her Functional Skills English and Maths and then on to GCSEs. She went above and beyond when the specialist school let her down, ensuring that they had all the evidence needed for her to get her qualification and pushing the school to enter. I just want you to know how hard she has worked for us and how eternally grateful we are. If it would not have been for [the tutor]’s help and support I don’t believe [the student] would have gotten any GCSEs this year she would’ve simply fallen through the cracks in the system.”
Case study 2
Equal Education partnered with the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation to provide summer tuition for Looked After Children before starting boarding school to take A-Levels in September 2020.
Student feedback:
“Very easy to understand the lesson and just at the right level for me, enough challenges with interesting activities.”
“Interesting discussion about the work - we communicate well.”
“Really good at explaining things in different ways. She knows a lot of extra stuff that she brings into it.”
“Very easy to understand the lesson and just at the right level for me, enough challenges with interesting activities.”
Parent/carer feedback:
“It has been good for her to have a role model of someone who has made it all the way to university.”
“The carer always gets emails and is kept in the loop of what is happening in the tuition even though it is online. All round really helpful - both the opportunity of tuition in itself and the quality of the tutor. The tuition got him back into learning and kick started his brain again. Student also just got his GCSE results and they were brilliant - lots of A's.”
School feedback:
“Overall, all four students have approached all of their A level subjects with confidence and a determination to do well, and they are coping better than most students with the step up from GCSE to A level. The 1-1 tutoring has helped in this regard and we see it as a big positive and should continue.”
“ I can confirm that [student] most definitely benefited from the tuition programme put in place for him over the summer. With lockdown, followed by the 6 week break, many 6th form students started their A' Levels finding it difficult to motivate themselves to get into a good working routine. As [student] had received regular tutoring, he was still in a good routine and well prepared for his A' level studies. In boarding, [student] has an excellent work ethic - he is keen to complete all homework on time and is a superb role model for our younger borders.”
Case study 3
Tutor testimony:
“I am employed officially as an English teacher for the learner. However, I have come to see our work together not so much as teaching her English, but rather using English, a subject she enjoys and is good at, as a channel to access what I believe is my real purpose and focus with her: building her confidence, improving her sense of self-worth, and providing a regular form of contact with an educational professional who can gently challenge some of the deeply held negative opinions she holds about herself. I am extremely grateful for the support I have from Equal Education and that the providers place enough trust in my judgement to allow me to practise this reactive form of teaching.”
Parent/carer feedback:
“Tuition has had a massive positive impact, especially around English. It is going really, really well. The tutor has been absolutely brilliant, I can't praise her highly enough. You have made the perfect choice when it came to a tutor, and it has made such a difference. If there's any more of the tutor’s time available, we would love her to work more with the student.”
Parent/carer feedback
“Having 2 autistic children has made me realise that mainstream education does not work for all young people. I firmly believe that if my children were still attending full-time education they would not have been able to reach their full potential. My son has recently achieved a grade 7 in a mock exam with his tutor and is on track for an A*. He is also now considering attending college to study Maths, Physics and Computer Science which was out of the question before due to his anxiety. Their other tutor has been incredible at supporting him with this decision and making college a real possibility. My daughter has taken a little longer to get used to the transition to out of school, however her confidence is growing each day and she is starting to believe that she is capable of achieving.”
“[The tutor] is absolutely wonderful with [student]. She is so patient and understanding. We couldn't fault her in any way. He is doing really well - completing Year 8-9 work so is showing signs of clear improvement. He wants to go back to mainstream school as a result of how well this tuition is going.”
My experience working as a Marketing and Public Relations Intern for Equal Education:
“My time spent working for Equal Education will remain one of the highlights of my college career. Stepping into your first internship or job will always be intimidating. You walk in feeling like you must prove something of yourself, mistakes can’t be made, keep your head down and you will survive the day. I was sure I’d be taking orders from a higher up and reporting to my assigned desk until the end of the day.
Working from EE completely strayed from my expectations, and I’m so thankful that it did. The team welcomed me as their own, walking me through every system with care and questions were always answered. The CEO’s are directly involved in the work that happens inside the office; meeting with the team regularly to hear their ideas and critiques.
This is a space where employees are encouraged to be involved in EE’s evolution and growth. The team is compiled of people with integrity. This team is passionate about their sector of work. Everyone feels the same desire to offer the best possible service to their clients.
What was inspiring to observe is how Equal Education is always posing the question: “What can we do better?” The company doesn’t believe in remaining stagnant, instead they push new limits to evolve with the rest of the world. Above all, the team at EE listens, your rank or years of experience aside, if you are sharing your ideas in a meeting you will be heard.
I find this one of the most powerful qualities EE possesses, and a testament to their ongoing success. Every single employee is transparent, and this allows room for trust to be built amongst one another. The type of environment that EE has created is something I have yet to see anywhere else.” - Angelica