Transforming learning through student leadership
Curious Minds is delighted to be bringing Peer Tutoring into its own portfolio of innovative training offers - bringing its unique expertise in cultural education and curiosity-driven delivery approach to an already highly effective programme.
This Peer Tutoring programme was originally developed through the work of University of the First Age (UFA) and has a long history, with robust research from the UK and USA.
The team behind this programme are industry leaders; with two decades’ experience of delivering Peer Tutoring, having worked with over 750,000 young people and 7,000 adults, in 50 local authorities right across the country.
What is Peer Tutoring?
Peer Tutors are young people who support the learning of other young people. They do this by engaging and motivating them in creative ways, in a one-to-one setting, to help them with reading, numeracy, homework and supporting the transition between primary and secondary.
Peer Tutors don’t just learn to be a tutor; they develop an understanding of how learning works and they use that knowledge to help someone else learn.
The Peer Tutoring model builds aspiration, confidence, motivation, and engagement in young people of all ages. It can be implemented at both primary and secondary school level, as well as supporting the transition between them. Though all types of pupils appear to benefit, there is evidence that children from disadvantaged backgrounds and low attaining pupils make the biggest gains.
Why Peer Tutoring and why now?
The impact of the recent pandemic on children and young people cannot be underestimated. Many have experienced a loss of social interaction, developed a fear of social contact and felt distanced from their close friends and peers.
As a youth-led programme, Peer Tutoring can play a powerful part in overcoming these challenges - rebuilding relationships and enhancing learning. It enables pupils to ‘give back’ and support others, whilst also developing renewed learner confidence and resilience.
Time and time again we’ve seen Peer Tutoring lead to:
- Increased attainment.
- Greater confidence and resilience.
- Improved behaviour.
- Better team working and leadership skills.
- Improved social skills, including better communication.
Many students progressed from Peer Tutoring to a whole range of other leadership roles, both within and beyond their schools.
"The children of St James CE Primary School experienced two of the best days training for children I have ever witnessed. It was lovely to see how their confidence grew over the two days and how at the end they felt they had been treated like 'real teachers' and were so excited to start their new role. I highly recommend this inspiring training to any school, as it clearly empowers and challenges the children in so many different ways."
A North West Premiere
Throughout 2023-4 Curious Minds worked with five North West Schools (both primary and secondary) across Wigan and West Cumbria, to showcase Peer Tutoring in practise.
Supported by Curious Minds’ specialist teams, our four Beacon Schools recruited and trained a cohort of 12-20 pupils, then implemented a 12 week programme of Peer Tutoring in their school.
Our group of pioneering Beacon Schools have become part of a Community of Practise, providing challenge and support to each other across the year and connecting schools and pupils across geographies.
Our 2023-24 Beacon Schools
- Leigh St Johns Primary School
- Cartmel Primary School
- Cockermouth School
- Fred Longworth High School
- Bedford High School
