Issue 1 - October 2025
Welcome to your
partner newsletter
Vanessa Leach,
Managing Director, Tute
A message from our Managing Director
As we’ve settled into the new academic year, I want to thank you for the continued trust you place in Tute. The start of term always brings change, and it’s been great to see how smoothly things have got underway across our partnerships, with students engaging positively and lessons running well.
Over the summer, we made a number of improvements based on your feedback. You’ll see some of these highlighted in this newsletter, all focused on helping us work more efficiently together and enhancing the experience for every student.
As we move into the second half of term, our focus remains the same: supporting wellbeing, safeguarding, and student progress in every interaction. Thank you for being part of the Tute community – it’s a privilege to work alongside you and see the difference this partnership makes for young people.
Warm regards,
Vanessa
Inside Tute’s platform
Strengthening safeguarding together
Keeping children safe underpins every decision we make at Tute, and we’re always looking for better ways to share information and respond quickly when concerns arise.
From Monday 3 November, safeguarding reports, updates, and actions will be securely managed within the Tute Platform. This change gives partners greater oversight of individual students and cohorts, helping everyone involved see the full picture and make informed decisions to keep children safe.
You can read the full update and a video walkthrough of the new process below.
What’s new spotlight
Remote invigilation: Expanding access to qualifications
In September, we introduced International GCSEs as an alternative to standard GCSEs. One of the biggest advantages is that students no longer need to attend a physical exam centre to sit their exams, removing a range of barriers for both students and partners organising provision.
We’re now pleased to share that remote invigilation is officially available for selected qualifications. This means students can complete their exams in a familiar environment under secure online supervision, providing greater flexibility and accessibility.
As an approved Pearson Edexcel centre, Tute has been selected to pilot remote invigilation for International GCSE English, Maths and Science. This means students will be able to sit their summer exams securely from home or an approved setting, supported by Pearson’s advanced online invigilation system.
We’re also extending this flexibility through our partnership with Pass Functional Skills, allowing students to complete Functional Skills English and Maths (Level 1 and 2) exams online via the Open Awards exam board. This fully regulated and secure process gives learners the opportunity to achieve nationally recognised qualifications equivalent to GCSEs without needing to travel to an exam centre.
If you’d like to find out more about how remote invigilation could support your students, please contact your account manager.
SHINE values
Building connection and strengthening belonging
In half term 1, we introduced our SHINE values to students: Supportive, Honest, Inclusive, Nurturing and Engaged. These values were created to help rebuild a sense of community and belonging for students who may feel disconnected from mainstream settings. They have already been embraced across our lessons, with many recognition postcards sent out this half term to celebrate students demonstrating these behaviours.
As we reflect on World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded that positive mental health starts with feeling valued and included. By modelling the SHINE values ourselves, we strengthen the culture of care that underpins how we support each other, our partners, and every student we teach.
Find out more about our SHINE values on the student hub.
Confidence and engagement scores
Student voice: Strengthening confidence, enjoyment, and outcomes
From 22 October, we’ll be introducing weekly confidence and enjoyment checks for students to complete within the Student Portal.
Each Wednesday, students will be asked two questions about how confident they feel in their learning and how much they are enjoying their lessons. Their responses will help our teachers identify where additional encouragement or support might be needed.
By gathering this insight regularly, we can better understand how students are experiencing their learning with Tute. This enables us to celebrate student progress, respond quickly to changes in engagement, and continue improving learning outcomes across our provision.
Support spotlight
Our Student Support Associate
This half term, we’re pleased to welcome Megan to the role of Student Support Associate (SSA). The SSA role is a key part of Tute’s inclusion and wellbeing offer, ensuring every student has the support they need to thrive in our lessons and beyond.
Megan delivers Tute’s mentoring programme, working with students 1:1 or in small groups to build wellbeing, confidence and study skills. She also supports teachers and students in lessons, responds to student messages on the platform, and works closely with our safeguarding and inclusion teams to make sure every learner feels safe, supported and able to reach their potential.
“We’ve already seen a number of students engage in mentoring this year, and as a result many have made positive changes to their attitude to learning, attendance, and engagement in lessons.” – Megan, SSA.
In the spotlight
Celebrating World Teacher Day
On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrated the people at the heart of Tute – our teachers. Their passion, care, and expertise make every lesson count.
Your upcoming events
Mark your calendars for half term 2
Safeguarding Network | Session 2
Our partner network for sharing good practice and exploring key safeguarding themes. This half term’s focus: coping with anxiety – practical strategies to support student wellbeing.
Email us to join and get meeting invites.
Tute Chat | Session 2
Join our next Tute Chat: Strengthening inclusion – meet the team behind our parent and student Support roles and see how inclusion shapes every partnership.
No registration required, just save for later.
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