Bids for summer school catch-up funding opens

Schools can now bid for a share of £200 million in government funding to design summer schools for students who have experienced the most disruption to their learning during the pandemic.

Summer schools will include a variety of activities from group activities such as sports to mental health support and academic catch up such as maths and English lessons.

A longer-term plan to help all students recover from the impact of the pandemic is currently under development, led by Education Recovery Commissioner Sir Kevan Collins.

Schools can sign up via an online form on GOV.uk to confirm their plans, with flexibility for schools to target funding at other groups of students dependent on their local circumstances.

Parents should expect to hear from their schools over the course of May and June as they progress with their planning, but it remains at the discretion of schools which students they target their summer school offer towards.

Incoming Year 7 students will predominantly be encouraged to get involved, to help them navigate the important transition between primary and secondary school following a year of disrupted learning.

The government anticipates that a two week summer school will give students an opportunity to make up some lost academic ground before they start a new school.

Summer schools should also offer an opportunity for schools to support students’ wellbeing, and schools should include activities such as team games, music, drama or sports activities, in their plans.

Schools will need to determine how best to use the funding and staff the scheme to ensure that the extra time is used effectively.