Education Today Education Today Magazine
Lumina Tutoring, the UK’s first free one-to-one tutoring for some of the most disadvantaged children predominantly aged 11 to 18 across England, has launched a national campaign to recruit more teachers to volunteer their time.
The campaign is encouraging educators from both public and private sectors to dedicate just 45 minutes a week to help transform the life of a child in care, providing essential academic support and mentorship to some of the most vulnerable young people in the country.
Now in its fifth year, Lumina is a transformative non-profit collaboration initiated and led by Shaftesbury Enterprise, Harrow School’s initiative focussed on improved educational and life outcomes for young people.
Lumina has already made a significant impact on the lives of children in care, enhancing their educational outcomes and future opportunities. Since its inception the programme has supported over 100 children in care and teachers participating in the programme now number 100. The campaign aims to add more teachers as it expands.
With growing national demand for additional support for young people in care to meet their educational targets, the programme is seeking to expand its pool of teachers to ensure that even more children can benefit from its tutoring support.
One of the most powerful elements of Lumina’s success is the trust and connection formed between students and their volunteer teachers. Each teacher commits to just 45 minutes a week, working one-to-one with students to prepare them for their public exams, predominantly GCSE and A Level. These sessions offer academic guidance and a sense of stability for children who have experienced disrupted schooling due to personal circumstances.
The impact of this short but focused time commitment can be profound, helping to boost students’ confidence and performance, while also teaching vital life skills like critical thinking and communication.
Tim Dalton, Director of Shaftesbury Enterprise and a participating teacher on the Lumina programme, said: “The power of teaching goes beyond educating individuals and equipping them with the skills to succeed in life. Our profession is also about instilling confidence and encouraging those who need it, to master their full potential and strengthen their relationships.
“Lumina is evidence of the transformative effect that dedicated tutoring can have on children’s lives. We know the model leads to success for our students and now we need other teachers to volunteer for the programme so that we can help to make a positive difference for as many looked after children as possible.”
Gitanjali Bhattacharya, Director of Lumina, believes that the programme’s volunteer-led model is what makes it so effective:
“At Lumina we know that 45 minutes of focused, one-on-one support can transform a young person’s educational experience in ways that go far beyond the classroom. Many of the children we work with have faced significant barriers to their learning, and what they often need most is someone who can give them time, attention, and guidance to help them catch up and thrive. By building trust and consistency through regular tutoring, we are not only improving academic outcomes but also giving these young people the confidence and skills to succeed in life.
“We’re calling on teachers across the country to join us in this mission – whether from state schools and academies, or the independent sector – to help us reach even more children in care who deserve access to quality education and personal development opportunities. Volunteering a little time each week can have a profound and lasting impact on a child’s future.”
Lumina’s campaign aims to build a network of teachers in the United Kingdom who are willing to volunteer their expertise outside of their regular duties. By getting involved, teachers will not only contribute to the academic success of looked-after children but also become part of a movement that is working to close the gap in educational attainment for some of the country’s most vulnerable students.
Lumina, which started by serving the London Borough of Harrow, has rapidly expanded due to its success. It now partners with multiple local authorities, including Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hillingdon, Wandsworth, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire, ensuring that looked-after children in a variety of settings have access to the programme’s transformative tutoring services. As Lumina continues to grow, the need for more volunteer teachers is greater than ever.
Teachers interested in joining the programme can sign up on the Lumina website, where they can learn more about the simple, yet impactful role they can play in shaping the lives of children in care.
