Swotties: Affordable, Creative and Flexible Learning

Carrot Magazine has interviewed Tracy Blake to find out about her recently launched program Swotties. Swotties provides tutoring to school children and teaching jobs to university students.

Supporting Students

This year Tracey Blake launched Swotties, an organisation that aims to support school children with their studies and provide job opportunities for university students. They seek out students to become online tutors for pupils from Year 1 all the way up to Year 13.

One-to-one mentoring is a great way to inspire students. It gives them an opportunity to not just learn but to create a space where they feel comfortable discussing issues that go beyond academics.

It is important for a tutor can be both a teacher and a role model.

This is why the recruitment of university students is paramount in Tracey’s vision. She stresses this by saying: “University students have so much to offer in terms of recent experience of school and the education system and curriculum – something parents, like me, don’t have.”

Available to All

The need to create affordable tutoring for children is at the heart of the scheme.

When asked what inspired her to create Swotties Tracey says: “I wanted to make tutoring affordable and accessible for as many families as possible.” Therefore she has ensured that hourly rates are over 50 per cent less than the average rates for tutoring of £45 per hour. They also donate an hour of tutoring to a disadvantaged child for every 20 hours booked per household. This is so important, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic as studies have been interrupted and many students have been left without support.

Ahead of the Rest

Tracey highlights that the two key things which make Swotties stand apart from other schemes are their badge reward system and their flexibility for tutors.

The Reward System

The reward system combines academic badges and crucial life skills. This is key as it helps students grow academically and gain important skill/knowledge that they will need in later life. Tracy stresses that, “giving kids the best foundations for adult life” is a fundamental aspect of the scheme.

It also allows students to follow their passions as well as find new ones. The reward system enables this as the “tutoring service is tailored to each individual,” meaning “kids can work towards the right badges for them!” Having scientists, mathematicians, linguists and artists means that each student can follow their own individual and unique path with the help of a passionate expert.

Tracey says: “From Plato, Pluto to Pokémon whatever your passion, you can inspire others with it at Swotties.”

Flexibility for Tutors

The scheme is also extremely flexible as it gives university students the space to be their own boss, as they are able to organise their own hours and lesson plans. Tracey adds: “you can choose what you teach, when you teach, and how you teach.” This is vital as life as a university student can be very hectic.

Swotties also provides a platform where both students and their parents can be involved. Parents are able to manage bookings and payments while also being able to see lesson plans and resources. This will help parents understand their child’s studies, inevitably improving the support they can give.

What is Swotties looking for in their mentors?

To be a Swottie you must be able to engage with primary schoolers and teenagers, as a key aim of Swotties is for students to feel comfortable with their tutor. That is why Swotties are looking for people who have experience working with children, whether that be in sports coaching or as a Brownie or Scout leader. Evidence of this kind of experience shows that patience and kindness is at the core of every Swottie.

Swotties are also looking for people who love their subject and simply want to share their passion with others. Tracey wants to “celebrate the individuality of each Swottie,” as with a diverse group of Swotties, students can gain a variety of new interests and skills. Tracey sums it up perfectly and says, “all our Swotties are united by two things: a passion for their subject and a desire to inspire the next generation”.