Lumina Tutoring, a one-to-one online national tutoring programme, is calling on retired Maths and English teachers to volunteer just 45-minutes a week to help looked-after children to prepare for next year’s GCSE exams as demand continues to grow.
Lumina says the number of young people waiting for support in Maths and English is growing at a critical time. Following the summer 2026 exam series, many pupils who did not achieve the grades they needed are preparing to resit GCSEs in November. They will not know their confirmed results until January 2027 but statistically, around four in five students who retake GCSE English or maths after age 16 still do not achieve a grade 4 pass. For looked-after children, who already face some of the largest attainment gaps in the education system, the odds can be even steeper.
Lumina is now appealing for more experienced teachers to come forward so that more vulnerable young people can receive support ahead of next summer’s exams, while ensuring additional capacity is in place for students who may need further help following the January results.
The programme is particularly suited to retired teachers looking to use their skills in a flexible and meaningful way. Volunteers commit to just 45 minutes of tutoring a week, with all lesson resources, training and ongoing support provided by Lumina.
Among those already volunteering is Dr Bill Dalton, a retired Head of Mathematics for Harrow School, whose own experience of being inspired by a teacher has led him to support the programme.
Dr Dalton said: “There was a Maths teacher at my school who I really admired. He helped me out and showed me what I had to do, and suddenly it all made sense. That really is why I quite like the idea of Lumina Tutoring, because if I could make a similar impact with just one of the children I work with, it will give a lot of pleasure and a sense of paying back.”
He believes the programme’s one-to-one approach can make a powerful difference to young people who may struggle to get individual support in a classroom environment.
“Sometimes in a classroom, if there are 25 or 30 students, it’s pretty hard for the teacher to focus on one particular student and provide what they need. With Lumina, it is one-to-one. They can tell you what’s worrying them, and you can try to help with it. That’s got to be a good way of teaching.”
Dr Dalton also highlighted how simple the platform is to use, even for teachers who may have concerns about technology.
“You can bring up resources immediately and work through them together on screen. It’s very, very simple. I am not a techie by any stretch of the imagination, but I find it very easy to do. The whole process works well for me.”
He added:
“I think a huge amount of success comes down to confidence. My hope is that Lumina helps young people feel they can do it; that they can do better than they thought they could, and that they can move forward with confidence.”
Dr. Gitanjali Bhattacharya, Director of Lumina, said:
“For many looked-after children, passing English and Maths GCSEs is their gateway to greater independence, it enables further education and employment. Yet too many young people are currently waiting for support that could make a lasting difference to their futures.
“Retired teachers have an incredible wealth of experience to offer. By volunteering just 45 minutes a week, they can provide the confidence, encouragement and subject knowledge that helps a young person overcome barriers and achieve their potential.
“As we look ahead to the next exam cycle and the resit results due in January, now is the perfect time for teachers to join us and help ensure every young person gets the support they deserve.”
Anyone interested in volunteering with Lumina can find out more at https://lumina.org.uk/
