2018 Start Up Social Enterprise of the Year

In Blackpool, a town where examination results are within the lowest in the country, Qualified English specialists Katherine Atha and Susan Frain are improving the life chances of young people by raising attainment and achievement in English and Literacy. Their new Social Enterprise ‘Top Class Tuition’ (TCT) provides specialist English Language, Literature and Literacy support for disadvantaged, disengaged and vulnerable pupils who are performing below the National Average.

Such is the impact they have already had, since Autumn 2017, Top Class Tuition has been awarded the title of Lancashire’s ‘Start-up Social Enterprise of the Year’. Top Class Tuition believe in the abilities of children in Blackpool and provide a broad range of specialist support to help improve attainment and engagement with English and Literacy. Services include bespoke tuition, targeted interventions in schools, private tuition, staff training, feedback and educational advice on the new English GCSE curriculum.

Top Class Tuition primarily works with disadvantaged and vulnerable teenagers in the Blackpool area, offering interventions to pupils who are disengaged with school, pupils who have been excluded from school or have medical issues. Their community projects benefit a wide range of young people as our focus is to inspire an appreciation of English.

As a social enterprise, all income generated is invested into the young people of Blackpool through projects which further promote skills. Director Katherine Atha said “This award is testament to our commitment to improving English and Literacy skills for young people in Blackpool. We are delighted and surprised to have won! We have worked tirelessly over the last year to build up a business identity that has community at its heart and we would like to thank ‘Get Started’ and ‘Social Enterprise Solutions’ for their invaluable advice and support.”

Just last week, Top Class Tuition announced that they have been selected to work with the global business, Ernst and Young to support their growth and social mission. 

The award was sponsored and presented by Maureen Fazal and Paula Gamester from The Sewing Rooms in Skelmersdale. Paula said “The Sewing Rooms’ first award was Start Up of the Year in 2011. It gave us recognition and credibility and since then we have gone on from strength to strength. It is important to us to show solidarity and support to new up and coming social innovators and celebrate their achievements, as we were once in their position.”


For more about Top Class Tuition visit www.topclasstuitionuk.co.uk


Category Finalists:
Made In Haslingden and The Growing Club CIC

 

 

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