Tute's vision is a world where online learning enables any child, anywhere to fulfil their potential
89% of students would recommend Tute to others and there is no recommendation more important to us than that which comes from those we are here to help.
The child is central to all we do at Tute and our dedication towards achieving our vision on their behalf is evidenced in every aspect of our daily operations.
Meet the team or learn about our journey.
Virtual Environment
We have built an accessible online classroom, the Learning Cloud, designed to help overcome personal barriers to learning and enable students with a diversity of needs to learn alongside one another in a genuinely inclusive environment. Our Learning Cloud has been built by teachers, for teachers to deliver a highly engaging and interactive experience for our students and to deploy the award-winning pedagogy we are recognised for.
Real Teachers
Teaching with Tute is a career opportunity comparable to that offered by any aspirational education setting. We appoint qualified teachers using our rigorous safer recruitment and selection process and support and invest in our staff with training and ongoing professional development. Our teachers are equipped to provide the best possible experience for our students, and all are willing to go the extra mile on their behalf.
Real Outcomes
We have high aspirations for our students. Successful outcomes will be different for each of them and will range from increased engagement, confidence, and wellbeing to more tangible evidence of academic achievement in the form of qualifications to support their progression pathways. We make ourselves accountable for supporting these outcomes through tracking and reporting on progress and by predicting grades and preparing students for exams.
Our journey
Tute is born
The company is founded in Wrexham, North Wales
Tute is a Bett Award winner
Whole School Aids Learning, Teaching and Assessment category
New Tute HQ
We moved to a new office!
Tute is a Bett Award finalist
Covid-19 Response Champions category
Tute is an Education & Training Awards winner
Best Cloud-Based Education Provider (UK) category
New platform launch
Offering customers more functionality and students the option of accessing learning via a mobile app
Tute is an Education Resource Awards winner
Collaboration between school and supplier category
Meet the Team
We are proud of #TeamTute. Each person is professional, committed and passionate about wanting to make a difference.
We are a team of teachers and professionals who genuinely care about the outcomes of children and young people; be they a qualification, increased attendance or improved self-esteem. Our first thought is always the student: we want to make a difference. The student is at the core of everything we do and as such, we trust that we make the right decisions.
Our vast experience gives us unique insight into how best to help support schools and how to get the best from a student, no matter their circumstances.
Vanessa Leach
A teacher by trade, I’ve always been passionate about teaching and learning, and student outcomes. As a free school meal child who today would be classed as disadvantaged, I know first-hand how important education is to young people. So, I left the classroom for Tute back in 2013 to lead on all things T&L; I realised that there was more scope here to make a difference than in my Welsh class!
I moved to become MD in 2018 and some say this job is lonely, but I disagree! I am incredibly lucky to work with and lead a fantastic team of committed professionals who each puts the student at the core of everything they do at Tute. Yes, Tute is a business, but our purpose and vision really are about giving students a chance to reach their potential. Outside of Tute, I am Chair of Governors at my youngest’s school and have learnt a lot whilst doing the best I can to support. I’m happiest when I’m with my family, friends and dogs either walking, entertaining or watching a good old box set. My party trick is a solid head stand and making my bottom eyelashes disappear!
Phil Davies
A qualified accountant with 26 years’ experience leading finance teams, I’m experienced in developing and delivering business plans and strategies and interacting with external stakeholders and investors.
I have worked in several sectors, most recently technology, within both AIM listed, and PE-backed companies. I have been at Tute since 2018.
I’m a keen golfer with a handicap of four and have completed six marathons, albeit at the moment I could barely run to the end of the road; I blame lockdown!
Fun fact about me – as part of my best man duties at a wedding in Africa I had to dance into the church with the chief bridesmaid.
Carol Skitt
With over 25 years of HR and recruiting experience, my areas of expertise include compliance and best practices, I fully support and lead our management team in all HR matters including policy and procedure reviews and updates, employee relations issues, onboarding and safer recruitment. I joined Tute in 2012 as the very first employee, and previously worked in the electricity industry
Fun fact – I LOVE belting out a Cher tune on karaoke!
Kate McCombe
When I’m not working, I throw myself into outdoor pursuits and prove that vegan cooking is a million times tastier than meat eaters think it is.
A fun fact about me is that I used to design and make wedding dresses from scratch.
Phil Hughes
I have a passion for all things tech related and love to help people get the most from it. I have an honours degree in computer networking and security and a foundation degree in IT support.
In my spare time I like to go and watch the mighty reds Wrexham AFC.
Fun fact: I made a commercial about double glazing for radio when I was 8.
Julie Kelsall
As a former Head of Languages, I joined Tute in 2019 ready to combine previous experience in teaching, marketing and educational technology.
Previous jobs include being a bilingual PA in London and Marketing Exec for a publishing company. My role as client relationship manager brings together my past experience to make working for Tute great fun.
I love spending time with family and friends and putting the world to rights over a glass of wine.
Rob Hughes
Rob Hughes
I have high expectations for quality and set high standards, ensuring all of our students are included, protected and provided with opportunities to learn, make progress and grow in every Tute lesson.
At the weekends, I love nothing more than to swing my Flying V guitar over my shoulder and sing lead vocals for my disco rock covers band! ⚡
Phil Eastman
Phil Eastman
I’ve recently became a first time dad to my son Arlo, love spending all my spare time with him and he regularly makes an appearance on a Tute Teams call!
Dr. Sharon Smith
Dr Sharon Smith
Before moving to Tute in 2014, I taught for 8 years in secondary schools in Manchester and Chester, often working with disadvantaged students and those at risk of disengagement. I started teaching with Tute at the same time as I begun my Doctorate in Education, keen to explore whether there might be other ways for students to learn effectively, outside of and alongside the traditional classroom environment.
I completed my Doctoral Thesis in 2020 (based on field work I undertook in rural Uganda, exploring teacher training programmes). I also received a fellowship from BERA in 2019 to complete work exploring student voice for online learning. I am now so excited to work on evaluating the impact of the provisions offered by Tute and to contribute to the emerging knowledge base around learning online.
In addition to my work with Tute, I am a Visiting Research Associate at The University of Chester, I’m a mum of two amazing girls and I’m a chair of governors at my eldest’s primary school.
Free time is a bit of a rarity, but I love a girls’ weekend, a meal or a gig with my husband and I’m an avid fan of cheesy TV drama; it’s an antidote to all the academia!
Jasmine Brown
Jasmine Brown
In my spare time, you can find me either on the sofa binge watching the latest Netflix series, dining out with my partner (I’m a foodie), or walking my dog, Milo, along a local beach.
Fun fact about me – I am absolutely dog mad. You could say that I’m a crazy dog mom.
