Commenting as the government announces that it will fund 50% of the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) costs for the 2023-24 school year, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“School leaders have been clear that dramatically reducing the tutoring subsidy next year would have been disastrous for the programme. In a recent member poll, 59% of respondents told us that they were using the programme this year but would not be able to access it next academic year.

“It is therefore good news that the subsidy will be maintained at a higher rate than originally planned for 2023-24. We have been clear with the DfE about this, and it is positive that they have listened and responded.

“However, it is important to point out that due to the current financial pressures schools are facing, many will still find it extremely difficult to fund the remaining 50% that is required from them, particularly given that the amount of funding schools will receive overall for tutoring will not change.”