North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson has praised the latest announcements from the Department for Education that schools will have greater flexibility to offer additional 15-hour tutoring courses in schools.
In a major expansion of the National Tutoring Programme, the increase is expected to reach up to six million pupils across the UK in total over the next three years, and make sure students that need it receive quality catch up support. The National Tutoring programme is backed by more than £1 billion, and is driven by the evidence that high-quality tutoring boosts attainment by three to five months.
Among the latest proposals outlined the Department for Education were the following:
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Schools can sign up with this year’s external tuition providers, covering the whole country and expected to reach over 500,000 students this year
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New guidance has been published to support schools to offer their own teacher-led tuition, expected to reach over one million students this academic year
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Academic mentors are being placed in selected schools across the country to work in small groups with over 250,000 students most in need of support this year
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As the new school year starts, 52 new free schools are opening for the first time to support continued growth in student numbers across the country.
The government is also investing £102 million in 21/22 through the 16-19 Tuition Fund to support hundreds of thousands of young people to catch up in English, maths and other vocational and academic subjects. This is in addition to the £96 million made available in 20/21 to deliver vital support for those 16-19-year-olds who needed it the most.
North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson said:
“I welcome this fantastic announcement, that comes in line with the return to schools in September. This extra funding can and will be used to support pupils across Swindon’s schools, and make a real impact in children’s lives. Particularly after the lost hours of education that resulted from last year’s lockdown and needing to close schools.”
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
“It’s fantastic to see pupils returning to schools and colleges at the start of term once again. This year we have a greater sense of normality thanks to the roll out of the vaccination programme. That extra protection helps us find that sensible balance between protecting staff and students and ensuring education is not disrupted.
Keeping children in the classroom helps them catch up. It has given pupils real, hands-on help to support them following the disruption caused by the pandemic and we want to build on that success. So I’m delighted to be further expanding the National Tutoring Programme.
We are boosting the tutoring that is available to pupils so that millions more can benefit from the support they provide and we see a real tutoring revolution take place in our schools.”
