Bristol's Power Education tutoring scheme is helping refugee children achieve GCSE results that match or exceed the UK national average, according to new findings.
The programme, based at the University of Bristol's campus in Barton Hill, offers extra lessons in maths, science, and English to secondary school pupils whose first language is not English.
Many of the young people are from refugee and asylum-seeking families who have recently arrived in the city. Sessions run outside normal school hours and are designed to support what pupils learn in the classroom, as well as to build confidence, according to the BBC.
How the Scheme Works
Power Education was set up in 2023 by science technician Ilyass Kudiyirickal and University of Bristol staff member Simon Neville after they noticed a "cultural disconnect" between schools and some refugee families.
They found that parents often wanted to help their children but did not fully understand the UK education system or GCSE requirements. The scheme now works with about 100 students aged 11 to 16 every week, most of whom live in the surrounding neighbourhoods.
A recent report linked to the University of Bristol showed that many participants started the programme with low or moderate literacy and rarely read at home. After receiving regular tutoring, students' maths scores rose above the national average, while their English results came into line with national performance.
This progress is notable because national research shows that refugee and asylum-seeking children are usually far behind their peers at GCSE level, often by more than a year of learning, Bristol reported.
The Scheme's Impacts
Kudiyirickal, who came to Bristol from Djibouti after training as a water engineer in France, said trusted relationships with families have been key. He acts as a link between home and school, explaining expectations, exam structures, and homework in ways that parents and children can easily understand. Neville added that being taught by someone who shares students' background and language helps them feel seen and supported.
Teenagers on the programme describe it as life-changing. Sixteen-year-old Ayaan said the tutoring made her believe she could reach goals she had once thought were impossible. Another student, Sadane, also 16, said Power Education had boosted both self-esteem and confidence in class.
Education experts say the Bristol results suggest targeted community-based tutoring could be an effective way to narrow the GCSE gap for refugee children across England.
They argue that combining academic support with mentoring and family engagement may help many more young people move from falling behind to meeting, and even beating, national standards, as per the Education Policy Institute.
