Peerz is a real class act

Peerz Academy is helping North East students get the support theuy need.

Funded by the North East Business and Innovation Centre’s (BIC) Innovation Programme, the business has launched an online education platform to make peer-topeer mentoring easier for to students who need additional academic support.

Founded by former teacher Wayne Harrison, Peerz Academy has already recruited four new employees and is working with five North East universities through the FutureMe programme to support 108 schools, delivering lessons to children who have the potential to go to university.

“The aim of Peerz Academy is to improve learning opportunities and boost GCSE success rates in the North East providing affordable access to peer mentors in a secure online learning environment,” said Wayne.

“Evidence shows that peerto-peer tuition can be just as effective as one-to-one private tuition, but more cost effective.

“The lesson content is created by experienced teachers, but the mentoring is delivered online by verified peer mentors. The mentors are successful university and college students who have performed well in their GCSE’s and want to earn an income or credits which they can then use to pay for mentoring themselves.

“Research from the government’s What Works Centre for Education (EEF) shows that 30 minute interventions work best. Therefore our oneto-one lessons are only 30 minutes long, with an additional 30 minute worksheet for the student to work through.”

The Innovation Programme provides grant funding for the creation of unique products, services and processes, boosting innovation potential in the region, and accelerating the growth of ambitious companies.

“BIC innovation adviser Gillian Middleton was brilliantm” said Wayne.

“The grant application process was straightforward and Gillian answered any questions we had. The funding enabled us to create a prototype which allowed for testing and development, as well as take on an apprentice who is now employed permanently in our IT department.”

Gillian Middleton was delighted to have been able to help: “Peerz Academy is a forward thinking business and I’m delighted we were able to offer funding to support the initial concept and the further enhancements they have made to the platform.”