Arden University has partnered with the charity, The Brilliant Club, to deliver the Make Your Mark programme, an attainment-raising initiative designed to support Year 10 students from less advantaged backgrounds. This programme aims to enhance students' GCSE performance in core subjects by combining curriculum-aligned tutoring in English and Maths with the development of essential study skills. Through small-group tutorials across 12 hours of tutoring, trained university students work both in-person and online with young people.
In 2023-24, over 650 hours of tutoring was provided, working with over 100 students from less advantaged backgrounds. The programme demonstrated strong impact across subject knowledge, study strategies, cognitive strategies, and academic self-efficacy.
Feedback from Year 10 students highlighted the programme's value of talking to current university students about their experience. Tutors also reported benefitting professionally, with enhanced teaching skills and confidence in supporting students from a diverse range of backgrounds.
For 2024-25, Make Your Mark tutoring programme will continue in Greater London and has expanded to Greater Manchester, reaching more students than ever, and providing increased levels of support to young people to help boost academic attainment.
Interested in your school taking part? Get in touch and find out more by emailing outreach@arden.ac.uk.