New thematic report finds opportunities to strengthen and improve tuition services for vulnerable learners across Wales

A new report published today, More than a last resort: Arrangements and quality of EOTAS provision in Wales, finds that overall, tuition services provide high-quality support for vulnerable pupils. However, the overall quality and availability of provision varies too widely across Wales.

Tuition services play a vital role in supporting pupils who are unable to attend school because of health needs or other complex personal circumstances, helping them to continue their learning and maintain a connection with education. For many of these learners, tuition offers an important pathway to re-engage with education, build confidence and prepare for future learning or employment.

Our report highlights examples of strong practice where leaders have a clear strategic vision for tuition provision and see it as a purposeful intervention that helps pupils reconnect with learning and progress to positive destinations. In these cases, pupils benefit from engaging teaching, carefully planned curricula and effective support for their well-being.

However, the report finds that leadership, oversight and the quality of provision are inconsistent across Wales. In many areas, pupils receive only a limited number of hours of tuition each week and access to a broad and balanced curriculum is restricted. Provision is often focused narrowly on English and mathematics, which can limit pupils’ opportunities to gain qualifications and progress to further learning or employment.

Estyn also found that national expectations for tuition provision are not sufficiently clear. This has led to differences in how local authorities interpret their responsibilities, resulting in variation in the amount of learning pupils receive and the range of opportunities available to them.

Owen Evans, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, said:

“Tuition services support some of the most vulnerable young people in Wales. At their best, they provide stability, rebuild confidence and help learners reconnect with education and plan for their futures. However, our findings show that the quality and availability of provision varies too widely across Wales. Too many pupils receive a narrow curriculum and limited hours of learning, which restricts their opportunities to gain qualifications and progress to positive destinations.

Strengthening strategic leadership, clarifying expectations and improving monitoring will be essential to ensure that all pupils who rely on tuition services receive the high-quality education and support they deserve.” The report calls for clearer national expectations, stronger oversight by local authorities and improved monitoring of provision, particularly where services are commissioned or delivered online. These steps will help ensure that tuition services across Wales provide consistent, high-quality support and enable all learners to progress confidently to their next stage of education or employment.