Small group tuition has not only helped primary and secondary students stay on top of literacy and numeracy but has been a boon in the education of future teachers.

Student-teachers have received valuable experience as tutors in the program, gaining valuable hands-on experience while they complete their Initial Teacher Education (ITE) qualifications.

Shelley Public School in Sydney’s west employed Macquarie University student Ben MacSporran to provide tutoring to groups of five or six students three days a week.

The program provided Ben with important practical experience alongside what he learned at university.

“I’ve honestly learned everything on the job. While theory is important, I’ve gained most of my skills here,” he said.

“When I did my first prac, I felt totally confident as I wasn’t stepping in front of a group of children for the first time. The skills I developed were invaluable.”

The experience has also solidified Mr MacSporran’s decision to pursue a career in teaching.

“You either know you want to be a teacher, or you don’t after doing this. For me, it has pushed me even more towards becoming a teacher,” he said.

“I love it so much and know I would enjoy being a classroom teacher even more.”

Having ITE students deliver small group tuition is not a one-way street, with significant benefits for primary school students receiving the extra support.

Shelley Public Principal Jo-ann Campion said small group tuition allowed the school to address foundational gaps, identified during class, assessments and the tuition program, with Mr MacSporran playing an active role in gathering and analysing the data.

“We have the flexibility to target numeracy and to really connect to what’s in our school improvement plan,” she said.

“Our data shows what our students really need, and we can particularly focus on filling in those foundational numeracy gaps that we’re noticing.”

Shelley Public School Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction, Ros Greenwood, said the ability to track student progress had been a significant benefit of the approach.

“You can map the progress of a student who is struggling with maths, and through every tuition session, you can see an improvement,” she said.

“As Ben’s lessons are targeted around each progression marker, we can clearly observe the advancements as he moves through each stage.”

The targeted approach at Shelley Public School addresses immediate educational needs and ensures students build a solid foundation in numeracy, setting them up for long-term success.

Small group tuition was introduced into NSW public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing support to students who needed extra help with literacy and numeracy.

Since the start of 2024 the program has become permanent, with every NSW public school funded to recruit educators who can directly support students.

Under the program, at least 10 weeks of additional tuition will be provided to students who need extra support in reading or numeracy.

Schools use their school-based assessment information and NAPLAN results to ensure students receive the right level of support.

The program is also available to schools that do not participate in NAPLAN, including infant schools, senior colleges, schools for specific purposes, schools with transient enrolments and very small schools.

The program has been informed by research from the Australian Education Research Organisation, which recommends tutoring students at the ‘needs additional support’ NAPLAN proficiency level; and the Grattan Institute, which says small group tuition is the most effective means of reducing learning and development equity gaps.