Children and young people across the country have experienced unprecedented disruption to their education as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19). Those from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds will be among those hardest hit. School allocations will be calculated on a per pupil basis, providing each mainstream school with a total of £80 for each pupil from Reception to Year 6. As the catch-up premium has been designed to mitigate the effects of the unique disruption caused by coronavirus (COVID-19), the grant will only be available for the 2020 to 2021 academic year. It will not be added to schools’ baselines in calculating future years’ funding allocations.

Schools should use this funding for specific activities to support their pupils to catch up for lost teaching over the previous months, in line with the guidance on curriculum expectations for the next academic year. Schools have the flexibility to spend their funding in the best way for their cohort and circumstances.

To support schools to make the best use of this funding, the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has published a coronavirus (COVID-19) support guide for schools with evidence-based approaches to catch up for all students.

Schools should use this document to help them direct their additional funding in the most effective way.

See opposite for main recommendations.

The EEF advises the following:     EEF’s COVID-19 support guide for schools

Teaching and whole school strategies

• Supporting great teaching
• Pupil assessment and feedback
• Transition support

Targeted approaches

• One to one and small group tuition
• Intervention programmes
• Extended school time

Wider strategies

• Supporting parent and carers
• Access to technology