Making Education Accessible
Every pupil deserves a fair chance to succeed.
We want pupils to have support when a subject feels difficult, encouragement when confidence is low and opportunities to explore what interests them. Their family’s ability to pay should not determine whether that help is available.
This is why we created Making Education Accessible. We work with schools across the country to reach pupils who might otherwise miss out and help them take their next steps.
Fully funded places for your school
Through the initiative, we offer schools fully funded places to help pupils access additional educational support, including those eligible for pupil premium.
Email us about funded placesNational statistics
Why access to support matters
National figures show gaps in attainment, access to tutoring and progression into higher education.
Disadvantaged pupils vs other pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths
| 2018/19 | 25.2 percentage points |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 27.3 percentage points |
| 2024/25 | 27.3 percentage points |
In England, the GCSE English and maths attainment gap was 27.3 percentage points in 2024/25, compared with 25.2 points in 2018/19.
Source: Department for Education, Key stage 4 performance, 2024/25
Schools reporting reduced tutoring provision compared with the previous year
58% reported reduced tutoring42% other responses
Doughnut chart: 58% of schools reported reduced tutoring provision; the remaining 42% are other responses.
The Sutton Trust reports that teacher polling in 2025 found 58% of schools had reduced their tutoring provision compared with the previous year.
Source: Sutton Trust, Private Tutoring 2026; teacher polling conducted in 2025
Eligible for free school meals at age 15
Not eligible for free school meals at age 15
Higher education participation by age 19: 28.6% for pupils eligible for free school meals at age 15, 48.4% for pupils not eligible. A gap of 19.8 percentage points.
Among pupils from English state-funded and special schools, higher education participation by age 19 was 28.6% for those eligible for free school meals at age 15, compared with 48.4% for other pupils.
Pupils aged 15 in 2020/21; participation measured through to 2024/25.
Source: Department for Education, Widening participation in higher education, 2024/25
Support around the needs of your pupils
Schools know where their pupils need help — understanding a subject, building a revision routine, finding direction through mentoring or accessing opportunities beyond lessons.
Talk to us about the pupils you want to support. We can explain what the funded places include and which of our wider services suit your school.
Our wider education support
Working with your school
- 01
Tell us where support is needed
Share the year groups, subjects and challenges you want to address.
- 02
Discuss the funded places
We will explain what the initiative includes and how your school can take part.
- 03
Agree the next steps
Decide on the right support, the pupils you want to reach and how progress will be reviewed.
Book a meeting with our team to find out more.