Catch Up Funding 2020-2021 In June, a £1 billion fund for education was announced by the government. Further guidance has now been released (www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-catch-up-premium) showing that the money is split between a catch-up premium and a national tutoring scheme. The catch-up premium is funded on a per pupil basis at £80 per pupil. This will be based on the previous year’s census, meaning we are predicting Robertswood School will be in receipt of £34,160 (427 X £80). The spending of this money will be down to schools to allocate as they see best. To support schools to make the best use of this funding, the Education Endowment Foundation has published a support guide for schools with evidence-based approaches to catch up for all students. At Robertswood School, this money will be used in order to provide: · curriculum resources and materials that support quality first teaching. · additional teaching staff to develop the outcomes of children who have been identified as needing ‘catch up’ in their learning across the school in reading and specific groups in writing and maths either as part of interventions or regular tuition or emotional support. There are two broad aims for ‘catch up’ at Robertswood: · attainment outcomes at end of 2021-22 for all year groups will be at least in line with those nationally and with Buckinghamshire schools · the mental health needs of pupils are met and supported by the school (For all children – quality first teaching) Working through well sequenced, purposeful learning outcomes. Where appropriate, lessons will be adapted to focus on missed objectives and to consolidate the basics. Teachers will use knowledge organisers to pre-teach vocabulary and concepts. Other strategies will include modelling and instant feedback to support accelerated learning. Focus on consolidation of basic skills. The core skills which enable successful learning will require increased curriculum time across all year groups. These include, for example: handwriting spelling of high frequency words basic sentence punctuation times tables recall basic addition and subtraction fact recall reading skills relevant to age Additional lesson time on core teaching. Reading, writing and maths teaching will require increased teaching time in order to cover missed learning – particularly in the Autumn term. In order to keep a broad and balanced curriculum, some subject areas may be taught as blocked days rather than weekly lessons. Particular focus on early reading and phonics. This is always a focus in the school and will continue to be so in order to develop children’s reading ability and vocabulary. FS and KS1 will take part in 2 daily phonic sessions in the Autumn term Assessment of learning and of basic skills to identify major gaps. Teachers will work to identify gaps in learning and adapt teaching accordingly. Cold tasks/quizzes/questioning is completed before the unit to identify gaps and pupils are pre-taught concepts, as appropriate, to support learning. Time spent on mental health, wellbeing and social skills development. This will be at the core of all catch up work as many children will have not been in formal school setting for a number of months. (For some children) Reading, writing and maths assessments made in Autumn 2021 will identify children in need of further targeted support. · Additional support and focus on basic core skills. Supported by additional staffing utilising catch up premium in reading – 3x afternoon sessions per year group. · Weekly, writing and maths interventions with class LSAs · Weekly, writing and maths tuition – with tutor · Weekly, ELSA support – with ELSA Copyright © 2021 Robertswood School 01753 888327 office@robertswoodschool.co.uk