Experts helping pupils catch up
Education experts from the University of Sunderland are playing a key role in helping to ease pressures for schools.
It comes after the Department for Education announcedtheNationalTutoring Programme(NTP),designedto provide catch-up support to primaryandsecondaryschool pupils who may have missed out on learning during school closurescausedbythecoronavirus pandemic.
A leading team from the university’s Faculty of Education and Society helped devise a special Catch up and Recovery course – aimed at trainee teachers, career returners and recently retired educators, supporting them so they are ready to sign up as tutors via the NTP.
ProfessorLynneMcKenna, Dean of the Faculty of EducationandSociety,said:“Schools andteachershaveprovidedexceptional service to our childrenduringlockdownandthis should not go unrecognised.
"Teachers have provided face-to-face education for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers, adapted to online teaching delivery, provided home support learning packs for children, maintained contact with their pupils and some schools have evendeliveredpackedlunches.
“Parents, likewise, have risen to the challenge of home-schoolingtheirchildren –manyofwhomhavebeenbalancing this with working from home themselves.
"While it will ultimately be ateacher’sresponsibilitytoensurechildrenarenotadversely affectedby‘learningloss’when they fully return to school in September, any additional support for children, parents and schools is to be welcomed.
"This £1billion catch-up package will help headteachers to provide extra support to those children who may have fallen behind while out of school. At the University of Sunderland, we pride ourselves at being at the forefront of developments and the introductionofthisshortcourse willenableustoprepareapplicants to support the National Tutoring Programme.”
MikealaMorgans,Principal Lecturer; Team Leader, Initial Teacher Training, has been leadingonthenewprogramme along with colleagues Allison Wilson and Kirsty Bell.
Shesaid:“Thesessionsthat have run already have been excellentandgivelotsofopportunities for discussion, as well as interactivelysharingideasand activities.
"Participantshavereflected this in their very positive feedback.”