Disadvantaged pupils targeted in government’s £700m school catch up plans

The government has pledged to focus £700m in catch up funding for education in England on disadvantaged children, as schools and early years settings recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Children & Young People Now have reported on the "Recovery Premium": One-to-one and small group tutoring programmes is another focus of the government's efforts to help schools and colleges recoverThe one-off recovery premium is worth £302m. The average primary school will receive around £6,000 extra while the average secondary school around £22,000 more. The government expects schools to use this premium money to boost summer provision, such as additional clubs and activities.Schools will also be expected to use “evidence based approaches to supporting disadvantaged pupils from September”, according to the Department for Education.Of the remaining £400m, half will be used to boost tutoring in schools  and language development in early years settings.The other half is for schools to develop face-to-face summer schools. The government expects these to initially target incoming year 7 pupils. ...
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Over £42 million to extend projects for children with SEND

Over £42 million to extend projects for children with SEND

The UK Government has announced "further funding to help raise educational standards, improve services and provide practical support to children with SEND." This includes the Government re-awarding "current contracts and grants which enable schools, colleges, families and local authorities, to support thousands of children with SEND. This includes extending an advice helpline and increased funding for local parent carer forums, support to improve how councils provide local services and improved training for education staff in working with children and young people with specific needs such as autism." Family Fund: £27 million awarded to Family Fund which "supports low-income parents raising children with serious illnesses or disabilities"Providing up to £17,500 for each Parent Carer Forum (an increase of £2500 compared to 2020-21)Funding has been extended for: Council for Disabled Children, Contact, Kids, National Network of Parent Carer Forums, Whole School SEND, Autism Education Trust, Education Training Foundation and Family Fund The aims of the £42 million funding are: Targeted support: monitoring, support and intervention to...
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Leicester City Council are holding a consultation on funding for Special Schools

Leicester City Council are holding a consultation on funding for Special Schools

Leicester City Council are proposing a change to funding in council-maintained special schools, as these have not been reviewed since 2014. The aim of the proposal is to ensure fair and equitable funding to meet pupil needs. The schools under review include: EllesmereKeyham LodgeMillgateNetherhallOaklandsWest Gate The Children’s Hospital School and Pupil Referral Units will not be included within this review due to the specialist nature of their provision. Ashfield academy pupils have a much wider range of needs therefore a single unit funding rate is not appropriate. Consultation details are available on Leicester City Council’s Citizen Portal: https://consultations.leicester.gov.uk The Process of the Consultation: The consultation will commence 2 October and run for 6 weeks through to 13 NovemberA report with recommendations will be taken back to the city council’s Executive and will require agreement from all special schools, and the Department for Education ...
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