DfE quality assurance
in the National Tutoring Programme
The National Tutoring Programme (NTP) was launched by the UK government in 2020 as part of the Covid-19 recovery plan and to tackle the growing attainment gap as a result of the pandemic. More information about the details of the programme can be found on the GOV.UK site.
Tute was one of only 32 Tuition Partners approved by the DfE (out of around 400 that applied) back in November 2020. Since then, we have been subject to rigorous DfE quality assurance, the criteria for which we have met every single time.
Tribal was appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) as a delivery partner in 2022 to quality assure all NTP Tuition Partners. Tribal works closely with the DfE and the tutoring sector to ensure the highest standard of tutoring provision.
Tuition providers who wish to deliver any form of tuition as part of the NTP must apply to Tribal to become an approved NTP Tuition Partner.
Tribal developed a rigorous quality assurance framework and assesses all new tuition partners against this framework prior to acceptance onto the find a tuition partner service. All tuition partners are quality assured annually to ensure continued quality of tutoring, as well as the best experience and learning outcomes for schools and pupils.
On behalf of the DfE, Tribal conducts a thorough quality assurance review to ensure high standards across various operational areas of our organisation.
This is mandatory, happens three times a year, and covers a broad range of criteria, which are outlined as follows:
Element 1:
Organisation
- Governance and risk management:
Structured governance, risk identification, and compliance.
- Financial sustainability:
Robust financial control and economic stability.
- People management:
Comprehensive HR practices, staff training, and performance management.
- Data and reputation management:
Effective data protection, privacy adherence, and positive public engagement.
Element 2:
Safeguarding
- Policy and strategy:
Robust policies and strategic alignment for creating safe environments.
- Safer recruitment and compliance:
Vigorous recruitment practices and safeguarding compliance.
- Awareness and culture:
Embedded safeguarding values and proactive awareness across the organisation.
- Monitoring and partnerships:
Continuous monitoring, reporting, and cooperative safeguarding practices.
Element 3:
Quality of provision
- Self-evaluation and improvement:
Ongoing performance reviews and improvement planning.
- Quality of tutoring:
High-standard tutoring, aligned with school curricula and supported by effective technology.
- Support and development:
Strategic tutor support and targeted development initiatives.
- Partnerships and communication:
Collaborative efforts with schools to enhance pupil outcomes through shared goals and knowledge.
For more detail on the framework and criteria that we are held to account within, please see here.
