Riverdale Primary Academy

Riverdale Primary Academy serves a diverse community with approximately 30% of its 420 students qualifying for Pupil Premium funding. The school was concerned about the persistent attainment gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students, particularly in reading, writing, and mathematics.

Internal assessments showed that Pupil Premium students were, on average, 18 months behind their peers in these core subjects. Despite various in-school interventions, the gap was not closing at the desired rate. The school was looking for an effective way to utilize their Pupil Premium funding to accelerate progress for these students.

Additionally, many of the disadvantaged students displayed lower confidence levels and engagement with learning, which was further impacting their academic progress. The school needed a solution that would address both the academic gaps and the underlying confidence issues.

D1 Tutors worked closely with Riverdale Primary Academy to develop a targeted intervention using their Pupil Premium funding. The program included:

• One-to-One Tutoring: 45 Pupil Premium students received personalized 1:1 tutoring
• Frequency: Twice-weekly 30-minute sessions over a 12-week period
• Subject Focus: Reading, writing, and mathematics, with tutoring plans tailored to each student's specific needs
• Confidence Building: Tutors were trained in techniques to build student confidence and develop a growth mindset
• Teacher Collaboration: Regular communication between tutors and classroom teachers to ensure alignment with classroom learning
• Progress Monitoring: Weekly progress updates and monthly detailed reports for teachers and school leaders

The program was partially funded through the National Tutoring Programme, with D1 Tutors helping the school navigate the application process and maximize their funding allocation.

After the 12-week program, Riverdale Primary Academy saw remarkable improvements:

• Reduced Attainment Gap: The gap between Pupil Premium and non-Pupil Premium students narrowed by 35% in the core subjects
• Reading Progress: 82% of students made accelerated progress in reading, with an average gain of 2.5 reading levels
• Mathematics Improvement: 78% of students showed significant improvement in mathematics assessments
• Confidence Growth: Teachers reported a marked increase in classroom participation and confidence among the tutored students
• Ofsted Recognition: The school's next Ofsted inspection specifically praised the effective use of Pupil Premium funding through the tutoring program

The school has since made the D1 Tutors program a permanent part of their Pupil Premium strategy, expanding it to include more students and extending the duration of support.

"The impact of the D1 Tutors program on our disadvantaged students has been nothing short of remarkable. Not only have we seen significant academic progress, but the boost in confidence and engagement has transformed how these children see themselves as learners. The detailed reporting has also made it easy to demonstrate the impact of our Pupil Premium spending to governors and Ofsted."

— Susan Parker, Headteacher, Riverdale Primary Academy