The cuspy Year 6s caught up, and parents asked to pay for more

Started in September 2023 for our cuspy Year 6s

We started Third Space Learning tutoring in September 2023 to help our ‘cuspy’ Year 6s. 

Those children we knew had the potential to make the expected level, but we needed to plug some specific gaps. They did their benchmark diagnostic testing and we chose for the programme to automatically address gaps.

Pre-learning that put pupils on the front foot

It worked really well. It has such a strong impact. 

There were times when we would start a new topic and we’d hear “I remember I did this with my tutor!”. It supported us so much as the launch pad for that first step. It was the pre-learning that those children needed to ensure that they had the confidence to take on the challenge.

A parent-funded after-school club with great uptake

We put it out to parents to see if they wanted to pay for sessions and the uptake was great.

We offered it out as part of an after-school club. Initially, we put out to Year 6 parents as a SATs Booster Programme in the spring term, and we had such a good uptake that we then offered it to Year 4 and 5 parents, too.

“We noticed when those Year 5s started Year 6 they were more confident. Before, their default sometimes was “I don’t know, I’ve never seen it before”. Giving them that little boost was perfect because now they start the lesson out of that deficit. We’re on the front foot already.”

The AI programmes changed the game on flexibility

When we heard about the introduction of the AI programmes, it was a game-changer! 

It’s allowed us to get more children onto the programme because it’s so affordable and more flexible. Before, the sessions needed to start on the hour or half hour. The AI programmes are more fluid. We can do after-school slots on Mondays and Thursdays, a group at 10:15 on a Friday and one at 1:35 on a Wednesday.

“If we need to reschedule a session, we don’t need to worry about their usual tutor not being available at the new time. It’s always Skye, no matter the time. That’s the beauty of it.”

Setting expectations with pupils and parents

We pitched it as something new, something not every school is doing. 

We sent out the letter to parents that was provided. Their main question was: “who’s in the room?”. They were reassured to know staff members would always be there. Pupils aren’t just left alone with their headsets and laptops.

Pupils really bought into the idea of being part of the group that help shape and improve it. There’s also a certain comfort that Skye isn’t a ‘real’ tutor.

We put up the “How to Work Best With Skye” sheet that Third Space Learning sent us as a poster to help set expectations, especially with things like turn-taking. Our pupils know to look out for when “Skye is thinking,” and pause when Skye is talking.

“Skye’s voice is crystal clear, and the pupils were really positive about that clarity.”

Spot-on content, and support when we need it

In terms of content and maths knowledge, Skye is always spot on. 

I’ve never seen Skye teach anything wrong or any misconceptions. The content is consistent; it’s the same lessons that we’d seen before.

I like that I can listen in to sessions in real-time. That helps me support any pupils who need a bit of help, or who disengage. I can jump in, see for myself what Skye’s asking and what they’re saying back, and keep them on track.

Aside from the tutoring, the customer support is a real plus.

Right from the start, we could always get someone on the phone quickly. Now even more so as Third Space Learning are so receptive to hearing feedback about the AI tutoring.