Luke’s story:
A pathway to A-level psychology
When Luke completed his Level 2 BTEC in Sports, something clicked. The psychological elements of his course had sparked a genuine interest in human behaviour – and with it, a new ambition: to study psychology at A-Level.
But for Luke, access to that next step wasn’t straightforward. As a student with complex SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) needs, he had already faced more barriers than most. Living in a remote location, his college couldn’t offer psychology, and a lack of suitable provision risked cutting his new ambition short.
The challenge
A passion for psychology, but no way to pursue it
Luke was previously a child looked-after and had faced several challenges throughout his education. Despite this, he’d made real progress at college, completing his Level 2 BTEC and discovering a subject he loved.
He wanted to continue learning, but geography, capacity, and need made it difficult. With no in-person option available for psychology - and Luke requiring specific support to engage with learning in a way that felt safe and manageable - the college needed a solution that was both accessible and inclusive.
That’s when his college turned to Tute.
The solution
Personalised, flexible provision built around his needs
Luke’s college commissioned Tute’s private A-level Course in psychology, ensuring he could study the subject he was passionate about without the barriers of location or availability.
Attending live online lessons from college with support from his learning support assistant (LSA), Luke was able to learn in a way that worked for him. When attending in person wasn’t possible, he joined from home- often with his assistance dog by his side.
His provison included:
One-to-one lessons
offering tailored support and individual attention, ensuring lessons were designed around his learning needs
Lesson recordings
allowing him to revisit content anytime, reinforcing understanding and reducing anxiety around complex topics
Seamless collaboration between Tute, his teacher, and LSA
ensuring lessons were accessible, engaging, and fully responsive to his SEND and SEMH needs, with consistent communication and shared strategies
Flexible access from college or home
giving him the option to join in a way that suited him best, supporting his comfort and engagement
A supportive, student-centred approach
creating an environment where he felt confident, included, and able to participate at his own pace
Luke found that Tute’s flexibility and student-centred approach made learning far more manageable:
“I’ve been enjoying being able to work at my own pace and, if I need a reminder, being able to go back through the lesson [playback function]. I have an LSA with me… We sometimes chat about the lesson. The teacher is lovely. It’s all been pretty easy to use – it all works as intended.”
The impact
Turning aspirations into achievements
His teacher saw a growing confidence, noting how he had started to engage more in discussions and connect with the subject on a deeper level:
"He has the confidence to talk about his dog and even share his own experiences when we discuss topics like childhood or attachment. His written work is very good, and he has coped well with the lesson material. The online lessons have worked very well for him."
His LSA also recognised the transformative impact of Tute’s approach:
“The student prefers being able to interact via the ‘chat’ function rather than in a classroom – it suits their learning style. Having a recording of the session has meant that if the student is unable to attend, they can still access it later. The small group size has also meant that the teacher has really got to know the students.”
Through flexibility, accessibility, and the right support, Luke was able to study the subject he loved, without barriers – setting him up for his next steps in education.
With his A-level in progress and a passion for psychology now within reach, Luke is on a path to a future he chose for himself. Through flexible, personalised online learning, he found a way to pursue what he loves – with the support he needed every step of the way.
Now, he’s not just continuing his education – he’s shaping it.
