Tuition and Additional Learning Support

Our tuition offer 

Walsall Virtual School wants every child and young person to receive the right educational support at the right time. In most circumstances, schools and education settings are best placed to identify learning needs and arrange additional support because they know the child, the curriculum and the interventions already available. The Virtual School works alongside settings to strengthen that provision, not replace it. 

We also recognise that some children experience barriers that cannot always be addressed through a setting's existing resources or expertise. Disrupted education, school or care placement moves, prolonged absence, gaps in learning, special educational needs and examination pressures can all create a need for focused additional teaching. Where there is a clearly identified educational need and tuition is likely to improve outcomes, the Virtual School may commission additional or specialist support. 

School first. Virtual School alongside. Specialist tuition where necessary. 

Our offer extends from Early Years to post-16. Tuition is needs-led, linked to the child's current learning and provided for a defined period. It may be delivered one-to-one, in a small group or online depending on the child's needs and the type of support required. 

What support is available? 

The support offered will depend on the child or young person’s age, current attainment, curriculum, learning profile and circumstances. The examples below describe the main areas that may be considered. 

Who may be considered for tuition? 

Being supported by the Virtual School does not automatically mean that a child or young person will receive tuition. The starting point is always an identified educational need and a clear understanding of the support already available through the school, setting or college. 

Tuition may be considered where education has been significantly disrupted, a specific learning gap remains despite appropriate intervention, specialist expertise is not reasonably available, or an important transition or examination outcome is at risk. The child’s views, current attainment, existing support and intended outcome will all inform the decision. 

Schools and professionals should discuss the proposed request with the child or young person and ensure that it is linked to their education plan. Sufficient assessment information should be provided so that the Virtual School can make a prompt and fair decision.

Tuition will not normally be used to replace ordinary teaching, support that should reasonably be provided by the education setting, or provision specified in an Education, Health and Care Plan. It will not be commissioned as general homework help or without a clear educational outcome. 

How does tuition work? 

The school, setting or relevant professional should identify the learning need through the PEP or equivalent education-planning process. A request should explain the child’s current attainment, the precise barrier or gap, the support already provided and the difference the proposed tuition is expected to make. 

If tuition is agreed, the Virtual School will identify an appropriate tutor or provider from its approved arrangements. The initial package will usually be a defined block of support, commonly between 8 and 12 weeks, rather than open-ended tuition. The precise number and length of sessions will depend on the child’s age, needs and intended outcome. 

The tutor will agree the starting point, curriculum focus and expected outcome with the relevant adults. Progress, attendance and engagement will be reviewed during and at the end of the package. Tuition may then conclude, be adapted or, in exceptional circumstances, continue for a further defined period. 

Where can tuition take place? 

Tuition may take place in the child’s school or education setting, at home, in an appropriate community venue or online, depending on the child’s needs and circumstances. Wherever tuition takes place, the environment must be safe, suitable for learning and provide appropriate safeguarding arrangements for both the child and tutor. 

At home 

Where tuition takes place in the child’s home, a carer or another agreed responsible adult must be present in the home throughout the session. There must be an appropriate space where the child and tutor can work safely and without unnecessary interruption. The arrangements must be agreed before tuition begins. 

In school or an education setting 

Where tuition takes place in a school, college or other education setting, the setting must provide a suitable space for learning within its normal professional environment. Other members of staff should be available nearby, and the tutor must know how to access support and report any safeguarding concerns. 

In the community 

Where a community venue is used, it must be a safe, appropriate and accessible public or professionally supervised space, such as a library or designated community learning venue. Tuition must not take place in an isolated or informal location where appropriate safeguarding arrangements cannot be assured. 

Online 

Online tuition may be appropriate for some children and young people. Before it begins, there must be clear arrangements covering the platform being used, supervision where appropriate, privacy, professional boundaries, communication and what will happen if a safeguarding concern arises. 

The Virtual School will not commission or continue tuition in an environment where appropriate safeguarding arrangements cannot be assured.

Our approved tutors 

Walsall Virtual School is working with our LA approved Tuition Companies to develop a quality-assured bank of tutors and providers covering different ages, curriculum subjects, SEND, online delivery and specialist areas of learning. Tutors are matched to the child’s assessed need rather than assigned on a first-available basis. 

Approved tutors are expected to meet safeguarding and professional standards, demonstrate appropriate qualifications and experience, plan from an assessed starting point, adapt teaching where necessary and provide clear information about attendance and progress. They must work in partnership with the child’s school or setting so that tuition supports, rather than sits separately from, the wider education plan. 

Children without a school place 

Tuition may sometimes form part of an interim education package while suitable provision is being secured. This is different from supplementary tuition alongside a school or college placement and requires closer oversight. 

Where interim tuition is commissioned, the child should have a written education plan setting out subjects, hours, intended outcomes, attendance arrangements and responsible professionals. The plan should also consider SEND, social and emotional development, enrichment and preparation for adulthood. Tuition will be reviewed frequently and must not become a long-term substitute for suitable education

How we measure impact 

The purpose of tuition is to improve educational outcomes, not simply to deliver a set number of sessions. Every package will therefore begin with a clear starting point and an intended outcome. Depending on the child, this may relate to phonics, reading fluency, a curriculum objective, a standardised assessment, a working grade, an examination outcome or a specific PEP target. 

At the end of the package, we will consider attendance, engagement, progress from the starting point, the child’s view and the next steps recommended by the tutor and education setting. If tuition is not having the intended impact, the approach will be reviewed rather than continued automatically.

Frequently asked questions 

Does every child supported by the Virtual School qualify for tuition? 

No. Tuition is based on assessed educational need, the support already available and the difference additional teaching is expected to make. It is not an automatic entitlement. 

Can tuition replace support from the school or college? 

No. Schools and colleges remain responsible for high-quality teaching, assessment and ordinarily available support. Virtual School tuition is additional and should complement the child's existing education. 

How long does tuition last? 

Most tuition is initially agreed as a defined block, commonly between 8 and 12 weeks. The pattern may be different for younger children, examination students or children receiving interim education while suitable provision is secured. 

Can tuition be delivered online or at home? 

Online or home-based tuition may be considered where it is suitable for the child and can be delivered safely. The location, supervision, attendance arrangements, online safety and safeguarding contacts must be agreed before tuition begins. 

Can tuition support children with SEND? 

Yes. Tuition can be adapted or delivered by a specialist tutor where this reflects the child's assessed learning profile. It does not replace provision that must be delivered through an Education, Health and Care Plan. 

Need further help? 

If you are unsure whether tuition is the right response, contact Walsall Virtual School before making a request. We can help you consider the child's identified need, existing support and the most appropriate next step.