Secondary schools in England are set to receive added funding in order to run summer schools so that pupils can catch up with their education, Boris Johnson has confirmed.
The Prime Minister has said £400million will be set aside for schools, on top of the £300million cash injection in January following the third national lockdown.
Summer classes will be introduced for pupils who need it the most, such as incoming Year 7 pupils, while one-to-one and small group tutoring schemes will be expanded.
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The Government set out considered a variety of options as part of plans to see children catch-up in classrooms including extended school days and shorter summer holidays.
The summer classes will be introduced to those who need it most, such as incoming Year 7 pupils, while one-to-one and small group tutoring schemes will be expanded.
Boris Johnson said: "Teachers and parents have done a heroic job with home schooling, but we know the classroom is the best place for our children to be.
"When schools re-open and face to face education resumes on 8 March, our next priority will be ensuring no child is left behind as a result of the learning they have lost over the past year."
Education leaders called the package of measures “a promising start”, but warned recovery cannot happen in a single summer.
When schools re-open on 8 March, I want to make sure no child is left behind as a result of the learning they have lost over the past year.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 24, 2021
A new £700m package of catch-up funding will help teachers support their pupils as they return to the classroom.https://t.co/SX37ryPipF
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "Our package of measures will deliver vital support to the children and young people who need it most, making sure everyone has the same opportunity to fulfil their potential no matter their background."
Kate Green, Labour's shadow education secretary, said the funding was "not adequate and will not make up for the learning and time with friends that children have lost."
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She added: "There is no specific mention of supporting children's mental health or wellbeing, which is fundamental to enabling their recovery from this pandemic."
Geoff Barton, of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "The best way of ensuring that catch-up work is well-resourced is surely to maximise the amount of money available to providers to spend on the approaches that work best for their pupils."
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT - which represents headteachers - said summer schools "will be of value for some pupils but it will be important not to overwhelm students".
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