“The AI tutoring has given us much more flexibility and more pupils get to experience it”

The disadvantage gap was the biggest driver behind our decision to implement extra maths tutoring back in December 2016. 

We’d used other tutors previously, but Third Space Learning offered a solution that had no resourcing implications. We could bring in that expertise externally using our Pupil Premium to get some over learning of mathematical concepts for the children.

The one issue was that you were tied to an individual being there at that time. As an educator, timetabling is such a tricky thing, and the plan you set out can go down the drain and we’d need to rearrange our tutoring. The team were always really proactive and helpful – emails replied to immediately, sessions easily rearranged – but it was an extra step.

When we were offered the opportunity to take part in the AI tutoring pilot programme, the extra flexibility was particularly exciting; the idea that we could instantly get on to the platform and set 30 minutes of tutoring whenever we wanted. 

AI was being mentioned increasingly frequently in the world of education and as a school we were intrigued by the possibilities that AI could offer. We were open-minded to it and saw it as an exciting opportunity.

It was very tempting as it was a very low cost way to get more pupils into the programme. We felt it was worth giving it a go as our children had responded so well to the traditional tutoring and we knew the structure of the lessons was the same, it was just a different type of tutor.

Naturally, we also had some reservations and we wondered how our pupils would react to the AI tutor and whether it could really be responsive enough, but we’ve undoubtedly seen the whole AI offer really improve throughout the pilot. It was clear that it was being adapted over time and we noticed that progress. 

The pupils found the AI tutoring easy to use and the way the lessons were laid out made sense to them. There were no issues there because it’s the same lesson structure they were used to with the traditional tutoring.

Now, we’re signed up for next year too and we feel confident it’s worth the investment. 

Before, we had 8 or 10 places each term because we were paying per pupil, so it was quite limited in a school as big as ours as to how many pupils will actually get to experience it. Whereas most of our Year 4, 5 and 6s will do Third Space Learning tutoring at some point next year.

The biggest benefit for us is that now all students can have it because it’s unlimited for a much lower cost. 

We want all teachers that it’s available to to be using it with several children, several times a week so the on-demand feature – as well as the scheduled sessions – is really important.

We’ve built up a relationship with Third Space Learning, and we’ve seen the progress, extra flexibility and lower cost with the AI tutoring. We also value the resource bank and SATs support that we get access to. All of that combined is why we will be continuing with the tutoring next academic year.

Watch an AI maths tutoring session in action:

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