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The Government’s National Tutoring Programme and ‘catch-up premium’ is failing to provide the support that pupils desperately need after a year of massive disruption to their education.
A thread about how and why... 1/ https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/only-one-six-pupils-free-23130089
A thread about how and why... 1/ https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/only-one-six-pupils-free-23130089
More than a million pupils have been missing school each week in recent weeks. Pupils have had a year of disruption.
We know that this is especially true for those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds and areas with the highest levels covid-related disruption. 2/
We know that this is especially true for those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds and areas with the highest levels covid-related disruption. 2/
The Government announced a £350 million National Tutoring Programme with a fanfare, but later revealed that this funding would be spread over two years, effectively halving the amount of funding available this year.
This left schools feeling misled. 3/ https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-misled-school-leaders-over-national-tutoring-programme-cash/
This left schools feeling misled. 3/ https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-misled-school-leaders-over-national-tutoring-programme-cash/
In answers to our Written Parliamentary Questions, the DfE confirms that they expect just 250,000 pupils to benefit from the National Tutoring Programme.
The number of pupils on free school meals in England is just over 1.4 million.
The vast majority won’t benefit. 4/
The number of pupils on free school meals in England is just over 1.4 million.
The vast majority won’t benefit. 4/
It gets worse. With exams rapidly approaching, DfE confirm that so far they have just 188 mentors placed through the National Tutoring Programme. They expect to place 1,000 in ‘Spring’ (and we know government’s ‘seasons’ don’t always reflect the calendar the rest of us follow) 5/
“We’ve allocated £650 million through the catch-up premium” Ministers will say.
Yes, but DfE confirmed in written answers that this isn’t ringfenced and we know that schools are struggling with covid costs: cover teachers, cleaning and sanitising, even temporary classrooms. 6/
Yes, but DfE confirmed in written answers that this isn’t ringfenced and we know that schools are struggling with covid costs: cover teachers, cleaning and sanitising, even temporary classrooms. 6/
Government has lost focus on tackling educational disadvantage. The attainment gap was widening before the pandemic.
The National Tutoring Programme and catch-up premium won’t cover those who need it.
Ministers need to get a grip for pupils’ sake. 7/ENDS https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/government-faces-demand-catch-up-fund-children-lost-school-time/
The National Tutoring Programme and catch-up premium won’t cover those who need it.
Ministers need to get a grip for pupils’ sake. 7/ENDS https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/government-faces-demand-catch-up-fund-children-lost-school-time/
