Ember Learning Ltd (trading as Ember Tutors)
1. Policy Statement
Ember Tutors is committed to delivering online alternative provision of the highest quality. This Policy sets out how we ensure that every student referred to us receives meaningful, well-planned, and appropriately supported education that meets their individual needs and is consistent with the DfE's August 2025 voluntary national standards for non-school alternative provision.
2. Scope
This Policy applies to all Tutor Associates delivering sessions, all Company directors, and all commissioning bodies. It covers all sessions delivered via the Blaze platform to students referred under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996 or directly commissioned by schools.
3. Curriculum Framework
Ember Tutors delivers online tutoring in mathematics and English to students of secondary school age receiving alternative provision. The curriculum is structured around Oak National Academy's published resources, providing a coherent, well-sequenced framework across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.
Tutor Associates use Oak content as the basis for session planning, adapted to each student's assessed starting point. Literacy and numeracy are embedded across all sessions. Where a student has an EHCP or other documented learning needs, the curriculum is adapted accordingly.
4. Baseline Assessment and Personalised Planning
Every student completes a baseline assessment in mathematics and English before their first substantive session. The assessment is calm, untimed, and low-pressure. Results inform the student's initial session plan, identifying the appropriate curriculum starting point and areas of greatest need.
Session plans are reviewed on an ongoing basis to reflect progress, engagement, and feedback from commissioning bodies.
5. Session Delivery Standards
Sessions are delivered one-to-one or in small groups of no more than three students, typically lasting 50–60 minutes. Each session follows a structured format: retrieval activity, introduction of new content, guided practice, and a closing summary.
Tutor Associates complete a brief post-session report after every session, recording topics covered, student engagement, areas of difficulty or progress, and any welfare concerns.
6. Tutor Qualifications and Suitability
All Tutor Associates must demonstrate suitability through a relevant degree, qualified teacher status, or demonstrable prior experience delivering tutoring to young people. No individual delivers sessions until the pre-start checklist under the Safer Recruitment Process (ET-SRP-001) has been completed and signed off. All Tutor Associates complete mandatory safeguarding training before delivering any session.
7. Welcome Week and Pastoral Support
Every student participates in a structured welcome week to orient them to the platform, establish a relationship with their Tutor Associate, complete the baseline assessment, and communicate expectations for conduct and engagement.
Tutor Associates are trained to recognise signs of distress or disengagement and to respond in accordance with the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy. Ember Tutors does not provide clinical or therapeutic support; where a student's needs require professional intervention, the DSL will notify the commissioning body.
8. Attendance, Progress and Reporting
Accurate attendance records are maintained for every session. Where a student fails to attend without notice, the commissioning body's safeguarding contact is notified within 30 minutes. Written session reports are provided to commissioners on a half-termly basis, covering attendance, engagement, curriculum areas, progress, and any concerns.
9. Reintegration Support
Where a commissioning body has a reintegration plan in place, Ember Tutors will cooperate with that plan and provide relevant progress information to support the transition. Responsibility for planning and supporting reintegration rests with the commissioning body.
10. Alignment with DfE Standards
Ember Tutors operates in alignment with the DfE's August 2025 voluntary national standards for non-school alternative provision. The Company reviews its alignment annually and will ensure full compliance should the standards become mandatory through legislation.
11. Review
This Policy is reviewed annually and following any significant change to the delivery model, curriculum approach, or relevant DfE guidance.
The full policy document is available on request. Contact hello@embertutors.co.uk.