AN Altrincham-based tuition provider is marking a successful start to the academic year with a string of new appointments for the business.

Yipiyap, which is an in-school tuition supplier, has appointed a total of 30 new tutors to deliver the service to schools across the North West. Made up of high-achieving, talented gap year students, the team works alongside schools to support pupils in core subjects.

Among those joining the team is 18-year-old Archie Batra, who signed up to the programme as an alternative to university this year.

Archie, from Bowdon, said: “I’m really excited to be part of the Yipiyap team and am looking forward to getting stuck in. I always had the intention of working during my gap year and loved the idea of working to help GCSE pupils boost their grades and reach their full potential.

I’m hoping that after a year working as a tutor, I’ll be in a much better position to apply for my dream university course and will have helped local schools in the process.”

Launched in 2012, Yipiyap now works with 27 schools from across the North West, with Wellfied Junior School, Sale; Heyes Junior School, Timperley; St Michael’s Primary School, Widnes; Wilmslow High School; The Barlow RC High School, Parrs Wood; and Manchester Creative Media Academy, Blackley recently joining the fold.

As part of its ongoing expansion, the company has appointed new manager, Halyna Kozak, to support at its head office.

Halyna, from Altrincham, will lead activity on finance, compliance and reporting, as well as working with the team on recruitment.

She said: “I’m a long-standing supporter of teenagers taking a gap year before university and am passionate about the value of peer-to-peer learning. I’ve joined the team at a really exciting time for the business and I’m looking forward to being part of Yipiyap’s continued growth.”

Now, Yipiyap founder Anne Morris is calling on head teachers to find out more about the service.

She said: “While there is absolutely no substitute for classroom teaching and teachers’ subject knowledge, we find that pupils respond particularly well to tuition from those close in age. They’re able to look up to our tutors as role models and they often feel they can build a strong rapport due to the similarity in age.

“We’re keen to meet with local head teachers to discuss how we could work together and bust any myths that may surround in-school tuition.”