Five directors of a tutoring membership body have publicly resigned, sparking questions from members. The five published a joint statement on the social media site LinkedIn last week saying that after “careful consideration” they had decided to step down from The Tutors’ Association (TTA) board. But they would not comment further, asking for their privacy to be “respected”. “We joined the board because we care deeply about tutoring and wanted to contribute our time, experience and commitment to supporting the profession in a voluntary capacity,” they said. “These were individual decisions, thoughtfully made, and they have not been taken lightly.” Chrissi Berry, Holly Goodwin, Georgie McIntyre, David O’Keefe and Deborah Salsbury said that they were “incredibly proud” of their contributions, and that their “passion for tutoring, education and our respect for the many wonderful people working across the sector, remain unchanged”. Goodwin was also vice-president of the association and its designated safeguarding lead. Two were elected to the board in May, while the others had served for longer. There were 14 board members before the resignations. Without any details, the announcement has left members puzzled as to what has happened. The TTA is conducting an independent governance review, but said this was planned before the latest resignations. It follows several other resignations from the board last year. Questions The TTA published a statement on its website in response to the announcement. It said the resignations followed “board discussions about aspects of the association’s governance and operation”, and apologised that members found out through social media rather than from the TTA directly. “We understand that these departures will raise questions among members, and we take those concerns seriously.” The association had already planned an independent review to examine governance arrangements, board structure and internal processes. It would update members on the timetable and scope of this review. When contacted for comment, a spokesperson said the review “was planned prior to the resignation of the five directors”, and that it intended “to establish a governance framework suitable for TTA following a period of rapid growth”. They added that the review would be “far-reaching and objective, ensuring that the TTA continues to operate in a way that is wholly appropriate, accountable and legally secure”. Sources with knowledge of the dispute told Schools Week that concerns were raised around financial transparency to TTA’s leadership. The most recent accounts show that Get My Grades was contracted by the TTA and Tutoring For All – which is the training arm of the TTA and is a wholly owned subsidiary – in 2024 and 2025. John Nichols, the association’s president, and his wife Samantha Nichols, are directors of Get My Grades, as well as directors on the TTA board. Value not known In 2024, the TTA contracted Get My Grades for the use of its learning management system, accounts state. It was contracted by Tutoring for All in 2024 and 2025 to provide “interim general management and events management services, on a short-term basis pending the appointment of a full-time general manager”. The value of the contracts was not provided. A spokesperson for the TTA confirmed that the association “has contractual arrangements with Get My Grades”. “This is an established relationship, of value to TTA, and of which the full board are and were fully aware of.” They added that the financial arrangements were “approved by TTA’s management team”, and that John Nichols was not involved in the approval process. The spokesperson said: “Financial details are and have been readily available to all members of the board”. But this was disputed by sources who spoke to Schools Week. The spokesperson added they were “open to an approach by any member wishing to raise questions or offer suggestions about the operation of the association, and constructive, well-intentioned criticism is always welcome”. Lucy Spencer, a former TTA board member, said the situation should not be seen “as a reflection of the wider tutoring industry”. “Tutors have worked incredibly hard to professionalise the sector and change that perception. “Every day, we hear extraordinary stories of tutors changing the lives of children whom the existing system has struggled to support. Those are the stories that should define our industry.”