Equal Education Named Tuition Business of the Year at the 2025 National Tutoring Awards

We are incredibly honoured to have been named Tuition Business of the Year at the 2025 National Tutoring Awards, hosted by The Tutors’ Association.

To be recognised alongside so many organisations driving transformative change in education is a powerful reminder of what is possible when equity and learner-centred values lead the wheels of change.

Our CEO and Founder, Paul Singh, shares what this honour means, not just for our organisation, but for the work we do to support the young people we serve.

What does winning Tuition Business of the Year mean for Equal Education and the work that we do to support young people facing barriers to learning? 

For me, the crucial part is the maturing of the tutoring sector. When the NTP was announced, I wrote that tutoring has now come of age. Additionally, the majority of tutoring is targeted at those who have the means. At Equal Education we do things differently, we work with those who we believe will benefit the most. This award not only recognises the hard work and dedication of my team and tutors, crucially it shines a light on this niche of the sector which is vitally important for our society.

How does this recognition reflect the journey Equal Education has been on, over the past twelve years?

Where does one start? The award is a welcomed nod from the wider sector. As a social enterprise, our team and tutors are driven by a different set of motivations. Our competition is not with other organisations, but with ourselves and the progress we are making in supporting young people. This award is an opportunity to demonstrate our collective progress, achievements and initiatives.

Why is it important for organisations like Equal Education to be recognised within the sector for our role in supporting the education system and delivering bespoke, child-centred provision for under-resourced young people?

As mentioned earlier, the young people we work with only represent a small percentage of the overall tutoring sector. The TTA and the NTA is a broad representation of the whole sector. To win this award, brings attention to an area that requires our collective attention. Often the young people we work with, are dealt with incredibly difficult starts in life. I have always believed that education can provide improved life choices and opportunities and at Equal Education, we have a small window of opportunity to work with young people to ensure they can confidently enter adulthood equipped with knowledge and opportunities. I think many people may not be aware of this aspect of our work, and this award will help bring greater visibility to it.

How does this award strengthen or shape our future direction as a mission-driven organisation?

To be acknowledged affirms the dedication that goes into our work. We are proud to have been shortlisted amongst the other impressive organisations who are providing quality tutoring. This recognition gives us added momentum as we prepare to roll out new strategic initiatives designed to enhance academic outcomes and support the success of the young people we serve.

Why is it important for organisations working with under-resourced learners to be recognised in spaces like the National Tutoring Awards?

I believe that everyone engaged and passionate about this field has a responsibility to raise awareness of the challenges faced by under-resourced young people. These awards highlight this important area and can inspire more individuals to confidently pursue roles within organisations like Equal Education or become tutors dedicated to this work. I’m also truly grateful for the recognition from the TTA and NTA, and I commend their foresight in addressing the full breadth and diversity of the UK tutoring sector.

What message would you like to share with the sector and other organisations who are passionate about educational equity and creating environments where every young person regardless of background can thrive?

My personal reflections from Equal Education’s journey to date, is the importance of focusing on what you enjoy and what you believe in. 

Many years ago I took up tutoring part time, and discovered how much joy it brought me to work with young people and witness them learn and grow. It was this joy and satisfaction that inspired me to try to help more and propagate a culture and ethos that could be beneficial to many young people in our country. Later in the journey, I discovered that being accountable is equally as important, just because you have the intention to help, doesn't actually mean you are helping. Learning about this issue in the broader sector drew on my engineering roots ,prompting me to measure our impact and approach our initiatives with both critical thinking and discernment.

Equal Education remains deeply committed to partnering with schools, local authorities, and like-minded organisations to drive meaningful and lasting educational outcomes for young people, including those who are under-resourced or face additional barriers to learning. Together, we can create more inclusive, supportive, and effective learning environments where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you to Paul Singh for this thoughtful and engaging Q&A. We look forward to seeing what’s next for Equal Education and the continued impact of its mission.