Taskforce created to advise on government's National Tutoring Programme

The Tutors’ Association (TTA) has announced the appointment of its new President, John Nichols, who will be establishing a taskforce to advise the government in the planning and delivery of its National Tutoring Programme (NTP).

A former teacher, long-term professional tutor and successful entrepreneur, John said: “In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, the work of The Tutors’ Association is even more vital,” says Nichols. “The majority of professional tutoring experience in the UK is in some way associated with TTA and the overwhelming desire to do the right thing for our nation’s young people remains the driving force for our sector. And yet, this national resource remains largely untapped by the government.

“The NTP taskforce is made up of some of the most experienced education professionals the tuition sector has to offer. TTA is keen to support the government and other agencies, including the Sutton Trust and the Education Endowment Foundation, to successfully roll-out the NTP and to ensure its effectiveness through the deployment of high-quality tutors and professional providers across the country. It is only by working together that the programme can be truly successful.”

The Tutors’ Association is the UK’s only regulatory body for professional tutors. It provides the vital self-regulation that is necessary for tutors clearly to define their commitment to best practice, professional development and a strict code of conduct and ethics.

A longstanding TTA board member and former Vice President, John has a strong background in both the public and private education sectors and business development. He earned a PGCE with Distinction on the Teach First Programme as a science teacher, has thousands of hours of professional private tuition experience and regularly delivers seminars on the role of neuroscience in learning. His mission is to galvanise the UK’s professional tuition community under the banner of the association.

“Over the last four months, the education sector has been in the media spotlight more than the last four years combined. And with good reason,” adds Nichols. “I am passionate about raising the profile of the thousands of professional tuition providers in the UK who, often invisibly, prop up the sector. There have been some striking shortcomings in levels of unity between the private and public sectors which I hope to address, as well as ongoing battles for tighter industry standards and safeguarding measures – which TTA has continued to spearhead. For the next twelve months, my overarching role as President is to mobilise our wealth of knowledge and expertise; setting a level of professional industry standards that is accepted, and enforced, as the norm across the board.”

John takes over the Presidency from Tim Morris, who continues to support John and the association as a dedicated member.

“It has been my great privilege to head up The Tutors’ Association for the last 12 months,” says Morris. “We have achieved many of our goals: membership growth, improved CPD resources and greater visibility in the public eye. However, I’m certain that, as a direct result of his creativity, his commitment and broad spectrum of experience, the association will reach new heights under John’s stewardship.”

John is supported in his role by a team of directors and dedicated office staff from the association’s headquarters in Marlow.