Commenting on the announcement of a ‘recovery support package’
for children and young people in England as schools and colleges
emerge from lockdown, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of
the National Education Union, said:
“Additional investment is going to be absolutely crucial if we're
going to help schools and colleges plan and arrange enough 1-2-1
support and small group work, during this academic year and the
next. Learning is going to need to be adapted by staff in all
sorts of ways so that young people consolidate learning which has
been missed, regain their motivation and succeed in their next
stage.
“The £200 million funding for the National Tutoring Programme
won't be anywhere near big enough to meet the learning and social
needs the Government have identified, which have been created by
Covid disruption.
“The NEU and the Sutton Trust have recommended to Government that
£750 million is needed as the first immediate boost to Pupil
Premium. Instead, £302 million has been announced. This will not
get support to all of the 1.3 million students eligible for free
school meals. The number of children and families in poverty is
also rising, so more students will need immediate support via
schools and colleges. This challenge is too significant to be met
with half measures.
“Holiday schemes at Easter and summer with a mix of learning and
outdoor sports activities will be welcomed by parents and are
sorely needed - but these must be planned and co-ordinated by
local authorities. Best value for money will be achieved if local
authorities are supported and resourced to plan the holiday
provision, building on what already exists in local areas, and
drawing in expertise from their local schools, youth groups and
adventure playgrounds. The burden should not fall on school
leaders to plan holiday learning provision.
“Giving flexibility to schools to use the Recovery Premium in
ways that they judge will best support their disadvantaged
learners is vital. It is a rare recognition by Government that
schools know best.
“Some of the funding in today's announced is recycled from
previous commitments. What is badly needed is a broader redesign
of education policy with proper investment over the next five
years to address the education divide. We look forward to working
with Sir on a long-term
strategy to respond to the inequality which blights children's
lives.
“40% of the education attainment gap is set in stone before
children even start school - caused by economic disadvantage, a
lack of food, of a decent place to live and chronic low pay. 46%
of Black children are growing up in poverty. What Covid has
exposed are the chronic levels of poverty and disadvantage that
strike the lives of too many children.
“The education recovery plan will need to tackle issues of
poverty, racism and social exclusion honestly. It demands
substantially more funding than that announced today. We believe
there is broad public support for proper investment to enable a
fairer education system so that no children or young people are
left behind.”
