Summer schools to help pupils catch up on their learning

PUPILS from across Rochdale are to attend summer schools to help them catch up on learning they missed out on due to the pandemic.

A dozen of the borough’s high schools are running the one and two-week programmes, mainly aimed at those making the step up from primary to secondary school.

The Department for Education estimates that, in the first half-term of autumn 2020, seven to 14-year-olds were around two months behind on their reading, while seven to 11-year-olds were roughly three months behind in maths.

Anecdotal evidence also points to children’s mental health having suffered from lockdown and periods of individual or class isolation - even after schools reopened fully in the autumn term.

But summer schools with a blend of academic and ‘enrichment’ activities have the potential to help pupils make up for some of their missed education.

While specific arrangements are down to individual schools, it is expected headteachers will want to focus on pupils moving up from primary school in September.

This is known to be a challenging time for some youngsters - and made harder still by the impacts of the pandemic.

Schools that are eligible for funding include state-funded secondary and special schools, non-maintained special schools and pupil referral unit.

It will also be made available for pupils whose education is funded by the local authority outside of state-funded schools, including independent schools.

The 12 schools taking part in Rochdale are: Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School, Great Howarth School, Hollingworth Academy, Holy Family Roman Catholic and Church of England College, Kingsway Park High School, Matthew Moss High School, Middleton Technology School, Newhouse Academy, Oulder Hill

Community School and Language College, St Anne’s Church of England Academy, St Cuthbert’s RC High School, and Wardle Academy.

Rochdale council was not able to provide details of programmes at specific schools.

However, benefits are said to include helping children make new friends, forge relationships with teachers and familiarise themselves with their new school environment.

Education bosses believe summer schools also offer an ‘important opportunity to support pupils’ wellbeing’.

All students will also be able to access online resources throughout summer holidays.

These will be provided by Oak National Academy.

The government said this would ‘help give pupils the confidence they are ready for the next academic year’.