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. 

The government announced £1 billion of funding to support children and young people to catch up lost time after school closure. This is especially important for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds. This funding includes:

• a one-off universal £650 million catch up premium for the 2020 to 2021 academic year to ensure that schools have the support they need to help all pupils make up for lost teaching time

• a £350 million National Tutoring Programme to provide additional, targeted support for those children and young people who need the most help, which includes:

  • a schools programme for 5 to 16-year-olds – for more information, see the National Tutoring Programme FAQs

  • a 16 to 19 tuition fund

  • an oral language intervention programme for reception-aged children

Catch-Up Premium

Schools no longer receive the Catch Up Premium but the following is a summary of how it was used and the impact it had. 

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.

The EEF advises the following:

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

Our Covid Catch-Plan sets out the actions we will take to support pupils make up for lost teaching time.