Twelve years in the making: Tute and the evolution of online learning

What if everything you think you know about online learning is wrong?

For years, online education has been misunderstood. It was often dismissed as a backup option or, worse, as a substitute for real teaching. But at Tute, we’ve been challenging these misconceptions for over a decade, long before the pandemic pushed everyone into emergency remote learning. Now, online learning has evolved far beyond that. Here’s the truth about what online learning is really about – and how it’s becoming an essential part of the educational landscape.

Before online learning went mainstream

When Tute began our journey in 2012, online education was still a niche, often seen as a “last resort” or an experiment. The infrastructure, trust, and recognition necessary for it to thrive simply didn’t exist.

But we saw something others didn’t. We knew that, when done right, online learning could open doors for students who had been left behind. Whether due to illness, anxiety, SEND needs, or lack of access to appropriate provision, too many students were being failed by the one-size-fits-all model. Tute was determined to be part of the solution.

Then came the tipping point

The pandemic accelerated change in a way no policy could. In March 2020, schools across the world were thrust into emergency remote teaching. It was a time of unprecedented reliance on technology, but also a time of massive challenges.

While many struggled to replicate the physical classroom online, Tute was already doing something different: delivering fully synchronous, teacher-led online lessons on a purpose-built platform. We weren’t offering emergency remote teaching. We were providing purposeful, high-quality online learning.

Expertise earned, not assumed

Over the past twelve years, we’ve developed a level of online teaching expertise that’s unmatched. At Tute, online teaching isn’t a fallback; it’s a specialism.

Our teachers are fully qualified and deeply experienced. But what truly sets us apart is our commitment to continual development. Every teacher undergoes a rigorous induction into online pedagogy and receives tailored coaching and feedback to excel in the digital classroom.

That’s why we were proud to become one of the first organisations in the UK to earn the Research Mark accreditation from the Chartered College of Teaching in 2024 – a recognition of our evidence-informed approach and commitment to excellence.

From crisis response to targeted provision

Since COVID, the role of online learning has shifted yet again – from an emergency solution to a strategic educational provision. Tute works in partnership with schools, local authorities, and non-mainstream settings to fill critical gaps in the education system.

“Online learning is no longer just about access. It’s about equity. It’s about flexibility. It’s about matching the right teaching to the right students at the right time.”

Tute today: trusted, targeted, transformational

Today, Tute is trusted by hundreds of schools, local authorities, and non-mainstream settings. Last year, we taught over 6,000 students and invited them to share their experiences:

• 85% said they felt learning online was as good or better than learning in a classroom
• 91% said they had made progress
• 90% said they enjoyed their learning
• 92% said the feedback they received was valuable
• 95% said they liked their teachers
• 98% said they felt safe in their Tute lessons

“It’s nice to be taught by a proper and consistent teacher. My teacher has been nothing but kind, helpful, and friendly. I feel confident enough to sit my exams in May, and the Tute lessons have made me enjoy science again.”

“My English teacher really helped me with confidence and made sure I took time for myself while still pushing my limits.”

“During this academic year, I feel I’ve grown as a student. Steffi’s teaching style has helped me open my mind back up to learning in ways I didn’t think it ever would again.”

These voices don’t just demonstrate student satisfaction – they also reflect the measurable progress we track. For our 2023–24 GCSE cohort, 93% of students intending to sit exams in the summer series showed teacher-assessed progress.

Looking ahead

As technology continues to evolve, so will the way we teach and learn. AI, analytics, and accessibility tools will play an increasing role, but the heart of Tute’s approach will always be exceptional teaching.

We’re proud of the role we’ve played in shaping the past twelve years of online learning, and we’re excited to lead the next chapter – one where all students can access a quality education, no matter where they are.

Because we believe in an education system where any child, anywhere, can achieve their potential.

Curious about how online learning can work for your students?

Don’t just take our word for it. See it for yourself by joining a Try Tute session. Experience the difference that purposeful, high-quality online education can make.

written by Sharon Smith

Assistant Head of Teaching and Learning – Outcomes