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Rachel Adams, aged 19, says such services will be needed to help disadvantaged students bridge the gap compared with their peers who have faced less disruption or more supportive learning environments at home.

She said: “Having grown up in Great Yarmouth, a deprived coastal town in Norfolk, where 20 per cent of children are from low-income families, I have witnessed firsthand the impact deprivation can have on a child’s grades and future.

“When I saw the positive effects this charity was having on helping young people and children from disadvantaged backgrounds to reach their potential – especially in the key areas of English and maths - I wanted to do everything I could to give them my support.”

Rachel has been volunteering since October with Action Tutoring, a non-profit charity working in partnership with primary and secondary state schools all over the UK.

Her experiences have proved so inspiring that she decided to switch degree courses and begin training to become a primary school teacher.

She said: “I was drawn to the idea that devoting just one hour of my time each week could make such a positive impact on children’s futures.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see pupils grasp new concepts and succeed.”

“Often children facing disadvantage are held back by a lack of confidence or not being able to apply what they have learned, but not by a lack of intelligence.

“The individual attention they receive from tutoring can really boost their progress.”

Action Tutoring is aiming to build a 1,500 strong workforce of volunteers, across the country, ready to provide small-group, face-to-face tutoring once schools are in a position to welcome external visitors.

Rachel said: “Many people – including university students – could carve out an hour of spare time in their week to do something positive for the community.”

The charity provides full training and background checks.

For more details, see actiontutoring.org.uk