In this EdTechX Hall of Fame feature, we speak with the CEO of Explore Learning on how technology-enabled personalised tuition is improving outcomes amid constrained school resources, widening attainment gaps and rising expectations.
Founded in 2001, Explore Learning is the UK’s largest independent tuition provider, supporting over 26,000 children weekly across 95 centres and online, with over 400,000 learners to date. Its model blends expert tutors with technology through its proprietary Compass platform, delivering adaptive maths and English tuition at scale, with strong, parent-validated outcomes in both attainment and confidence.
The conversation examines how the model delivers individualisation at scale: integrating diagnostic insight, adaptive technology and human coaching to support diverse learner needs, including SEND, and how engaging parents and preserving human connection is central to effective outcomes.
Read the full interview below and apply to the EdTechX Awards here. Winners will be celebrated at the EdTechX Summit in London on 16 June 2026, in front of 300+ senior industry leaders and investors.
In a few sentences, what does Explore Learning do and what problem does it solve? What’s one example that shows real impact?
Explore Learning is the UK’s largest independent tuition provider for school-aged children. We combine expert educators with proprietary technology to deliver personalised maths and English tuition that raises attainment and builds confidence.
We operate in an education system under significant pressure. Schools are balancing stretched resources, rising expectations and increasingly diverse learner needs. We blend human expertise with evidence-led personalisation so every child can progress at the right pace and develop the skills to thrive.
One story that has stayed with me involves a child with SEND who joined our 1:1 online tuition programme. He has autism and was working around four years below expected level after disengaging from school during lockdown. Over the course of a year, he closed that gap and is now working confidently at age-related expectations. His mother said “The best part? He loves it…Noah (his tutor) really gets him — and that connection has made all the difference.”
Like so many stories I hear, it’s the combination of academic progress, confidence and genuine enjoyment that leads to lasting impact for the children and families we support.
In the past year, what has been the biggest win and the biggest challenge?
Biggest win:
The launch of Compass 2.0 has been a defining moment for us. It is the most advanced and personalised iteration of our digital learning platform to date, powered by our proprietary aptitude model. Compass continuously adapts pathways to each child’s understanding, pace and progression, while generating evidence that allows us to evaluate efficacy and optimise the experience for different learner needs.
Biggest challenge: The pace of change, particularly around AI, has been both exciting and complex. The opportunity is enormous, but so is the responsibility. We have been deliberate in ensuring that any use of AI strengthens the educator rather than replaces the human connection that sits at the heart of great learning.
Over the next 12 months, what excites you most and what keeps you up at night?
What excites me: The opportunity to deepen parental engagement genuinely excites me. When parents feel informed, empowered and part of the journey, outcomes improve dramatically. Our plans for 2026 will elevate that partnership to the next level, giving families clearer insight into progress and more practical ways to support learning at home.
What keeps me up at night: The question I keep coming back to is: what more can we do to prepare young people for a world that is changing at extraordinary speed? Many of the roles they will step into do not yet exist, and technology continues to reshape how we live and work.
Strong academic foundations are essential, but adaptability, critical thinking and resilience will matter just as much. The challenge for all of us in education is ensuring young people develop the confidence and agility not just to respond to change, but to shape it.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities in K12 tuition right now? What 1–2 trends will define 2026?
The biggest opportunity is true individualisation at scale. Not just adaptive questioning, but learning journeys that integrate diagnostic insight, behavioural understanding and human coaching. The future of tuition lies in the intelligent combination of technology and expert educators.
A second defining trend will be the continued growth in children with SEND accessing tuition. Families are seeking provision that is genuinely tailored to individual needs, with the expertise and structure to improve outcomes, not just provide additional hours of support.
When you look back on the EdTechX Summit and Awards, what impact did it have?
The recognition was meaningful, but what I valued most were the conversations. Being in a room with leaders who are thinking about the future of learning sparked new ideas and a fresh perspective. Tuition plays a key role in education, but it is important to hear from the broader ecosystem working to evolve education responsibly.
Apart from Explore Learning, if you could nominate a company or partner for an EdTechX Award, who would it be?
I would nominate the inspiring Annabelle Vultee, CEO of GoodHabitz. As a leader driving innovation in workplace learning and digital transformation, she represents thoughtful, practical leadership in a rapidly changing space. We need more leaders who combine technological ambition with a deep understanding of human development.
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Want to be showcased as a leader in your sector? Apply for the EdTechX Awards here. All completed applications receive 50% off tickets to the EdTechX Summit on 16 June at County Hall, London — where our 2026 winners will be announced.