The Government have announced an extra £420m in funding along with £300m announced for catch-up projects in January.
The Prime Minister has stated the money would help ensure no child is left behind due to the pandemic.
Schools will have the option to run summer classes for pupils who need it most, potentially starting with those who will be moving up to Year 7 at secondary school this year.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the average primary school would receive around £6,000 extra funding, with the average secondary school getting around £22,000 extra in recovery premium payments.
The government’s £720m education support package for England includes:
- A one-off £302m “recovery premium” for state primary and secondary schools to boost summer schooling, clubs and activities
- £200m to fund face-to-face secondary summer schools, with teachers in charge of deciding which pupils benefit
- An expanded national tutoring programme for primary and secondary pupils and an extended tuition fund for 16 to 19-year-olds – also worth £200m
- £18m funding to support early-years language development
Alongside the newly announced programme, online resources will continue over the summer through Oak National Academy. However, there is widespread recognition that home learning could never fully replace classroom teaching and some pupils will need significant extra support when they get back to classrooms.
The government is backing one-to-one and small group tuition, alongside summer school activities. As suggestions of a longer school day or a shorter summer holiday have not materialised.
Source: BBC news