The schools running summer classes to help pupils catch up

The coronavirus pandemic has put a big strain on teaching, with all schools closed during the first lockdown in March last year, and pupils learning virtually throughout many of the subsequent lockdowns.

Now secondary schools in our area are running summer schools to help pupils catch up on any learning they may have missed.

Five schools in Bracknell and six schools in Wokingham are running summer sessions. They’ve been listed here:

Bracknell

Easthampstead Park Community School, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 8FS

Edgbarrow School, Grant Road, Crowthorne RG45 7HZ

Garth Hill College, Bull Lane, Bracknell RG42 2AD

Sandhurst School, Owlsmoor Road, Owlsmoor, Sandhurst GU47 0SD

The Brakenhale School, Rectory Lane, Bracknell RG12 7BA

Wokingham

Bohunt School Wokingham, Remount Drive, Arborfield RG2 9GB

Maiden Erlegh School, Silverdale Road, Earley RG6 7HS

Oakbank, Hyde End Lane, Ryeish Green RG7 1ER

The Emmbrook School, Emmbrook Rd, Wokingham RG41 1JP

The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane, Winnersh RG41 5NE

The Holt School, Holt Lane, Wokingham RG41 1EE

READ MORE: One in nine pupils in Bracknell miss school due to Covid

It is up to the individual school to conduct the summer school programme as they see fit, prioritising pupils most in need of catch up. This includes targeting children with special needs, those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those entitled to free school meals.

Pupils who are about to make the transition from primary school to secondary school (entering Year 7) have been encouraged to get involved as well.

A member of staff at Maiden Erlegh School said all pupils have been informed about the summer school programme and have been given details on how to access the lessons.

The summer schools have been made possible thanks to Government funding. £200 million has been spent on rolling out the programme in a total of 2,820 secondary schools across England.

The summer schools programme has been welcomed by Sir John Redwood, the Conservative MP for Wokingham.

Sir John Redwood, Conservative MP for Wokingham.

Sir Redwood said: “I am glad the government is providing extra money to help schools run summer schools. The pandemic did mean some pupils having at stay at home when the schools were open, and meant more on line rather than in class learning when schools were affected by Covid 19 closures.

“Summer schools offer a chance to catch up or fill in gaps in learning.

“I would like to thank all the teachers who adapted and worked hard to make on line and hybrid education work. I thank all teachers who help over the summer supplement term time learning.

“Children only get one chance of a good education, so we mustn’t let the pandemic get in the way of delivering that.”

The summer schools are being touted by the Government as part of its investment in education, which has so far amounted to £3 billion.

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The Government states that, since June 2020, £1.5 billion has been invested in national tutoring, £400 million for training and professional development, and £200 million for the summer schools programme. This is on top of a £650 million universal catch up cash boost for secondary schools this year and a £302 million ‘recovery boost’ for next year.

Schools minister Nick Gibb (CON, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) said: “It is very good to see that so many children will now have the opportunity to enjoy clubs and activities, building friendships and supporting their mental and physical health, alongside their educational progress.

“We have announced £3 billion so far to support education recovery, and are focusing now on helping children catch up ahead of the next academic year.

“Summer schools are an integral part of the overall effort to recover from the disruption caused by the pandemic.”