By Gavin Mackintosh-
UK pupils could have longer school days to catch up on their studies, as part of a plan by the British government, it has been revealed
Ministers were expected to publish a plan on Thursday (June 18) which included details about funding for longer school days.
According to the plans, children could be asked to take part in something called “bolt-on” sessions, which could see children coming into school earlier, or staying later at the end of the day.
Thousands of private tutors may also be hired and used to provide extra lessons for pupils of all ages, in person and remotely, with pupils from disadvantaged areas expected to receive first use of them. The standard rate of tuition in most parts of the UK is £25 an hour, but many parents, especially from disadvantaged homes cannot afford it.
It leaves the effect of the gap between children of the rich and poor wider, as richer families pay up to £70 an hour for high standard tuition for their children.
Judith Blake, chair of the Local Government Association’s children and young people board, said: “It is vital that children do not fall further behind in their development.
“With the summer holidays rapidly approaching, we are calling on the government to urgently start a conversation with local authorities and schools to provide clarity on what exactly it is proposing to help children to catch up on any schoolwork they may have missed out on during lockdown.”
From Monday, June 15, secondary schools were able to welcome back pupils in Year 10 and Year 12, and colleges welcomed back 16-19 students, with settings using a range of approaches to allow a quarter of students in at any one time.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I want to make sure as many pupils as possible can get back into the classroom and be reunited with their friends and teachers before the summer, to support their wellbeing and education.”
Announcing the £1bn package, the Prime Minister said: “I am determined to do everything I can to get all children back in school from September, and we will bring forward plans on how this will happen as soon as possible.”
Headteachers will opt in to a £350 million “national tutoring programme” to help the most disadvantaged pupils, while a further £650 million will be available for initiatives such as extra teaching, technology or summer schools for all pupils.