SUMMER SCHOOL
Pupils to be given classes during summer holidays to help them catch up with lessons missed during Covid crisis
PUPILS who have missed months of school during the pandemic will face classes during the summer holidays to help them catch up.
Headteachers will be handed hundreds of millions of pounds to open classes during the six-week break for youngsters who have fallen behind with their education.
🦠 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates...
5
5
The news will soon be announced by Boris Johnson as officials urge education chiefs to bring in freelance tutors or pay teachers for extra work out of school hours, reports.
The summer schools will feature sports and group activities in the morning followed by lessons in the afternoon.
It comes amid fears the mental health of British youngsters has been hit after they missed out on exercise during the current lockdown.
A 'Covid premium' will also be paid to schools for each pupil considered disadvantaged, the paper reports.
The scheme to support some of the country's most vulnerable youngsters was drawn up by Sir Kevan Collins, who was appointed by the PM as a 'catch-up tsar' earlier this month.
A source said: "This isn't just education support but also social support.
"We're acutely aware that pupils' mental health has been impacted by not seeing friends or playing sport."
5
5
Mr Johnson is due to announce his four-step roadmap out of lockdown this Monday.
Under the plans, schools are set to reopen on March 8, as planned.
The much-hated tier system has also been dropped, with all areas moving forwards together, it's believed.
However, militant unions have once again hit out at the Government's plans for getting kids back in class - and it's thought the PM may have to settle for getting primary-aged children back first, ahead of a phased return for older pupils.
He will also confirm that teachers will once again decide what grades GCSE and A-level students are awarded this summer after exams were cancelled for a second year.
The results will be published a fortnight earlier than usual to allow exam boards time to process thousands of appeals expected from students and their parents.
Teachers will have until just mid-June to prepare their assessments, and while 'mini exams' will be sent out, it will be up to schools to decide if students take them.
However, there are concerns appeals over grades could take months to sort through, putting pressure on those hoping to head to university in September.
5
Andrew Halls, the head of King's College School Wimbledon - one of the country's highest-performing schools - told the paper: "The entire job of judge and jury is on teachers in schools and it is a terrible responsibility.
"I know of really good schools where there are still some parents pursuing legal action against last summer's results."
Mr Johnson has repeatedly said his priority is to reopen schools.
He said: "I am absolutely determined that no child will be left behind as a result of the pandemic."
The PM vowed to be driven by data not dates in his “cautious and prudent” lifting of Covid restrictions, starting on March 8 with reopening schools.
He has repeatedly stressed that restrictions will be eased cautiously - and urged Brits to show patience in the months ahead.
And his message will be accompanied by an ad blitz urging “one more heave” of lockdown.
Most read in News
It's understood people will be able to do more exercise outdoors from next month, with non-essential shops also likely to get the go ahead later in March.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
But beauty salons and hairdressers are likely to stay shut for some weeks yet, with doors opening to customers again in late April, it's claimed.
Pubs could be open for outdoor pints in April, while restaurants could serve meals outside during the same month.
Boris Johnson to reveal lockdown roadmap: A look at what we do and don’t know for certain
Topics