Summer schools and longer days possible as Doncaster schools plan catch-up schemes

It was announced this week that secondary schools will be asked to consider running face-to-face summer schools as part of efforts to help pupils catch up.

The Government said primary schools would receive on average around £6,000 in extra money, with secondary schools getting on average an extra £22,000 in recovery premium payments.

It would be up to headteachers to decide how to use the money.

Helen Redford-Hernandez, chief executive of Brighter Futures Learning Partnership Trust, which runs Hungerhill School, Doncaster University Technology College (UTC) and five Doncaster primary schools said it would definitely help.

She said they were looking at extending the school day, and possible summer schools, particularly for exam groups at Hungerhill and the UTC.

"The money will help with some of the learning and help identify gaps," she added.

Adam Atkinson, principal at Astrea Academy Woodfields, part of Astrea Academy Trust, said: "It's good news schools are getting additional resource from the government to help students catch-up on any missed learning because of the pandemic.

"I'm really proud of the remote learning package we have provided at Astrea Academy Woodfields and have been really pleased with how well students have engaged. They have shown great resilience and maturity. Once back in the classroom, teachers will be in a better position to assess students' progress and identify any gaps in learning, as well as the best way to use this extra funding."

Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher MP said: “As a result of the pandemic, children have unfortunately missed out on getting the education that they need and deserve. Evidence already shows that this has been hugely detrimental to their educational progress. It is of utmost importance, therefore, that everything is done to mitigate this.

“I was therefore incredibly pleased with the announcement this week that an additional £400 million will be used to fund catch-up projects.

"While not discussed in the news as often, children and young people have suffered enormously over the past year. Summer classes and extended school hours will mean children can catch up with lessons lost and progress with their education.”

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