While teachers, pupils and parents would normally be
beginning the Easter break, the coronavirus pandemic
means that where possible, schools will continue to
care for vulnerable children and those of critical
workers.
The money will cover unforeseen additional costs
including for cleaning and keeping schools open over
Easter.
Today, the Government has also published a list
of high-quality
resources that parents and schools can
consider to support education at home.
The list includes a wide range of resources for all
ages that schools can consider using as part of their
planned curriculum and will be updated over time.
Schools have already been drawing on existing resources
and tools they are familiar with to support children to
continue learning at home and should continue to do so.
This follows the BBC announcing that they are working
with experts to create a package of education materials
for TV and online to support learning at home.
Education Secretary said:
Schools across the country are going above and beyond
to support children during this hugely challenging
period.
We must support them every step of the way, which is
why we are making extra funding available, on top of
existing budgets, to any school facing unavoidable
costs incurred due to the coronavirus crisis.
We are also ensuring parents and schools are able to
access high-quality resources to support children to
continue learning while they stay at home to protect
the NHS and save lives.
The Government has also confirmed today that it will
extend financial support to children eligible for free
schools meals who are not attending school during the
Easter holidays.
While many schools already have local arrangements in
place, this funding means that schools which do not
will be able to order vouchers for families through the
national scheme or, where they have alternative
arrangements in place, be reimbursed for additional
costs.
The additional funding for schools will be available on
top of core funding allocations that will be paid as
normal to schools for the 2020-21 financial year.
It will cover specific costs incurred as a result of
the coronavirus outbreak, where schools are unable to
meet these from their existing resources. The specific
costs schools can claim for are:
- Additional cleaning required due to confirmed or
suspected coronavirus cases;
- Increased premises related costs needed to keep
schools open during holidays; and
- Support for free school meals for eligible children
who are not attending school, where those costs are not
covered by the national voucher scheme.
The Department’s guidance on additional funding for
schools is available here.
