Plans for summer schools in England to help pupils catch up
It's to help pupils whose learning has been affected by lockdown
Last updated 24th May 2022
Secondary schools are to be given funding to run summer schools under plans to help children in England catch up on lost learning due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Prime Minister has pledged an extra £400 million of funding - on top of the £300 million announced in January - as part of its education recovery plan following months of school closures through lockdown.
Summer classes will be introduced for pupils who need it the most, such as incoming Year 7 pupils, while one-to-one and small group tutoring schemes will be expanded.
The Government considered a variety of options as part of its catch-up plans - including extended school days and shorter summer holidays - but neither proposal was included in the details to be set out on Wednesday.
Money doesn't go far enough
Education leaders called the package of measures "a promising start'', but warned recovery cannot happen in a single summer.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
"Our package of measures will deliver vital support to the children and young people who need it most, making sure everyone has the same opportunity to fulfil their potential no matter their background.''
Elsewhere with coronavirus in the UK
The funding announcement comes as ministers consider the ethical issues surrounding the possible introduction of vaccine passports under further plans to get the country back on track.
The Prime Minister has tasked senior minister Michael Gove with leading a review into the "complex'' issues surrounding "Covid status certificates'', with the NHS app potentially being used to display vaccination status or latest coronavirus test results.
It is understood that Mr Gove's review into vaccine passports will investigate whether businesses such as pubs and theatres could be prohibited from making access conditional on vaccination alone.
Allowing either a negative test or proof of a jab is understood to be one option being considered by ministers to avoid discriminating against those who decline the jab for health, or other, reasons.
The Prime Minister has said he is "very optimistic'' he will be able to fully remove all of England's restrictions on June 21, but warned "nothing can be guaranteed''.
What are the proposed dates for easing lockdown?
8 March: ALL pupils in England back to school
From 8 March 2021, all pupils in all year groups were allowed to go back into the classroom. Outdoor after-school sports clubs and activities were also allowed to resume.
8 March: Socialising outdoors with one other person
Two people from different households are now allowed to meet up outdoors in parks and public spaces. This means that people can sit down for a picnic or a drink, whereas previously, you could only meet someone outside your household for exercise.
29 March: Stay at Home rule liften
From 29 March, once the school Easter holidays have started, the Government will lift the stay at home rule but will continue to encourage people to stay local.
29 March: Larger group gatherings outdoors
From March 29 the "rule of six" will be re introduced alongside the the two household rule.
The "rule of six" means that up to six people from different households can meet outside.
More people will be able gather together if they are only from two households, giving greater flexibility for families and friends.
29 March: Outdoor sports facilities allowed to open
Outdoor sports facilities including tennis and basketball courts will be permitted to reopen from 29 March.
29 March: Organised adult and children's sport
Meanwhile organised adult and children's sport, such as grassroot football clubs, can also resume from March 29
29 March: Weddings with 6 people
From 29 March, weddings with 6 people will be permitted to take place. The number of guests allowed to attend weddings will increase as we move through the roadmap.
12 April: shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries, outdoor attractions and outdoor hospitality venues
From 12 April at the earliest, shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries, outdoor attractions, including zoos, and outdoor hospitality venues will be permitted to reopen.
12 April: Beer gardens reopen
From 12 April, outdoor beer gardens will also be allowed to reopen.
12 April: Gyms reopen
Gyms are expected to reopen from 12 April.
17 May: Indoor mixing
From May 17 at earliest, two households or groups of up to six people can mix indoors and limited crowds will be allowed to return to sporting events. Children's play areas will be opened alongside hotels, and limited groups will be allowed in theatres.
17 May: Possible foreign travel
Foreign travel may be permitted from 17 May.
17 May: Indoor hospitality
Indoor hospitality including pubs and restaurants could reopen from 17 May.
21 June: Nightclubs could reopen
From 21 June all remaining restrictions on social distancing could be lifted, and larger events may be allowed to resume, including theatres. Nightclubs may also be allowed to reopen.
21 June: Bigger weddings
Bigger wedding celebrations may be permitted from 21 June.
Calls for more financial support
Since announcing his road map on Monday, Mr Johnson has faced pressure to extend financial support packages, including the furlough scheme, to help people and businesses through the exit strategy.
The Prime Minister's cautious approach to lifting restrictions means shops will not open until April 12 at the earliest and pubs will have to wait until at least May 17 before they can serve customers indoors, with groups restricted to either two households or a maximum of six people mixing.
Having insisted that the Chancellor's Budget next week will be a plan to "protect people throughout the pandemic and beyond'', the Times reported that Rishi Sunak is preparing to extend a host of support packages.
The paper said furlough will be extended until June to match-up with the road map timeline, in a move allegedly costing #4 billion per month.
The business rates holiday for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will also be extended, along with the VAT cut for tourism and hospitality, while stamp duty for purchases of properties worth up to #500,000 will be continued for another three months, according to The Times.
Treasury sources said Covid support had been planned in parallel'' with work on the road map but could not comment on how long any extensions would last.
Mr Johnson is set to face continued calls to accelerate the lifting of the lockdown, with a key Tory critic taking to social media to criticise the advice the Government's plans are based on.
Mark Harper, leader of the Covid Recovery Group (CRG) made up of Conservative MPs, said there are "serious questions'' about the pessimism of the modelling from the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, Operational sub-group (SPI-M-O) that Mr Johnson used to inform his decision making.
The former chief whip said the modelling had predicted Covid-19 vaccines would reduce the risk of infection by 48% and 60% with the first and second doses respectively but Public Health England data suggested it was more like 57%-70% after one dose and 85% after two.
Mr Harper tweeted:
"There is a clear and concerning pattern of assumptions not reflecting the (much more positive) reality.
"At the very least, this raises some serious questions about the extent to which these models should be relied on.''