About us - Up Your Grade

Andy Gardner, Founder & Tutor Director at Up Your Grade.

What I really liked was the understanding that tuition isn’t always just about better grades. It’s also about building confidence, resilience and helping every child learn in the way that suits them best.

Parent feedback survey

Their administration system has saved me a lot of time compared to other tutoring businesses. Andy is always a pleasure to deal with and has provided me with excellent clients!

Ellen Rae

Science tutor

I work with a number of agencies and I can categorically state that UYG tutors is the best. Andy is very supportive and has excellent management qualities.

Sean Johnson

Science tutor

Up Your Grade has made the basics of introducing students and tutors very straightforward and every student I’ve worked with has been a pleasure to teach.

Gavin Chatterton

Economics tutor

About Up Your Grade

Up Your Grade was founded in 2015 by former science teacher Andy Gardner.

After eight years teaching in secondary schools across Leeds and Harrogate, Andy saw that families wanted experienced tutors who understood the curriculum and knew how to support students through key stages with confidence and care.

Up Your Grade was created to meet that need.

We work exclusively with experienced, subject specialist teachers who support students preparing for Primary Sats, GCSEs, and A-Level examinations. As Tutor Director, Andy personally matches every student with a tutor who suits their academic needs, learning style, and personality.

Tutoring is delivered one-to-one, either online or face to face.

Based in Harrogate, we provide one-to-one tuition for primary and secondary students across Yorkshire. Town include Ilkley, Knaresborough, Ripon, Wetherby, and surrounding areas towards Leeds, Skipton and York.

Our focus is not only on academic progress, but confidence, clarity, and long-term success.

What families valued the most based on our 2026 parent survey

would definitely recommend Up Your Grade

said tutor quality was the most valuable part of the service

valued speaking with Andy before a tutor was recommended

Recognition and awards

Since founding Up Your Grade in 2015, Andy has focused on building a personalised tuition service that puts careful tutor matching, experienced qualified teachers and long term relationships with families at the heart of everything we do.

In recognition of this approach, Up Your Grade was awarded the 2026 University of York Outstanding Business Growth Award, recognising the development of our business and our contribution to supporting families across Yorkshire.

We were also proud to be a shortlisted finalist in the 2026 National Tutoring Awards, SME Tuition Business of the Year, recognising our commitment to delivering a high quality and personalised tuition service.

National Tutoring Awards 2026 Shortlisted

Recognised for quality – trusted by families across Yorkshire

Our mission

Our role is to support everything around the tutoring sessions. This includes speaking with parents, matching students with tutors, safe recruitment, lesson scheduling, payment handling, and supporting families when sessions come to an end. By managing these responsibilities, we allow tutors to focus fully on delivering high-quality teaching.

Our team

Our management team works closely together to ensure every student receives support in a safe, structured, and supportive environment. Safeguarding underpins everything we do. Andy, Clare, and Bliss maintain rigorous standards across recruitment, tutor monitoring, and ongoing communication with families.

We encourage consistent attendance and active participation, as regular engagement is key to progress. Student development is monitored through tutor feedback and parent communication to ensure learning stays focused and confidence continues to grow.

Safeguarding our students

Attendance & participation

Monitoring progress

Andy

Tutor Director

Andy founded Up Your Grade in 2015, after eight years teaching science in Leeds and Harrogate secondary schools. As Tutor Director, he leads the strategic direction of the organisation. He ensures safeguarding, compliance, and tutor quality meet the highest standards. Andy speaks personally with every new family, to understand each child’s needs before recommending a tutor.

Clare

Business Manager

Clare manages daily operations, supports tutor recruitment and interviews, and ensures safeguarding checks are thorough and up to date. She keeps communication flowing between tutors and families throughout the year. With a background in recruitment and a long professional partnership with Andy, Clare plays a key role in identifying, supporting, and retaining high quality tutors.

Bliss

Tuition Co-ordinator

Bliss ensures lessons start smoothly and communication between tutors and families is clear and timely. She reviews lesson reports, monitors student progress, and addresses any concerns promptly. She keeps our learners on track. As a parent who has used Up Your Grade herself, Bliss brings valuable insight and empathy. She helps families feel informed and supported from the outset.

Build Confidence

Personalised one to one tuition helps students develop confidence, overcome challenges and believe in their own ability.

Build Resilience

Experienced teachers adapt lessons to each student, helping them tackle difficult topics, become more independent learners and develop resilience.

Build Motivation

A positive relationship with the right teacher often reignites enthusiasm for learning, encourages ownership of progress and supports academic success.

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Looking for the right tutor?

We have tutors who can support a wide range of subjects. Tell us about your child — name, age, year group, school, and subjects needed and Andy will arrange a free consultation call.

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