Covid Catch Up Premium

COVID 19 Catch Up Premium Report

March 2021

STRATEGY STATEMENT

“Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are likely to have been more severely affected by school closures and may need more support to return to school and settle back into school life. Whilst all pupils will benefit from the Education Endowment Fund (EEF) recommendations, it is likely that some form of support will be particularly beneficial to disadvantaged.” (Covid-19 Support Guide for Schools – June 2020).

The overall aims of the catch-up premium strategy are:

1. To reduce the attainment gap between our disadvantaged pupils and their peers

2. To raise the attainment of all pupils to close the gap created by COVID-19 school closures

At Knights Academy we have developed a continuity plan which comes into effect due to enforced closure or when national restrictions required the school to close. Pupils continued to receive their full curriculum remotely through our digital platform. The vast majority of pupils engage in online learning that the Academy provides. Upon re-opening in September, there was a good response to pupils coming back to school in all year groups. In some year groups, the attendance was better than others.

At KS3 and KS4, the provision is for all year groups who follow the full curriculum and timetable offer. The majority of pupils in year 10 and 11 are expected to continue to study their examination subjects. In year 11 in exceptional circumstances, it may be in the best interests of a year 11 pupil to discontinue an examined subject. School leaders will make such decisions in discussion with pupils and parents and be informed by ongoing assessment of a pupil’s progress and wellbeing, using the existing discretion that schools already apply on these matters.

At KS5, this provision is for all year groups and follow the full curriculum and timetable offer for pupils. Pupils in years 12 and 13 are more likely to undertake self-directed study, but may still need additional support. Discontinuing a subject is therefore likely to significantly limit choices for further study and employment, so is expected to be rare.

For all pupils, the experience of remote learning will not be the same as education in the classroom. We acknowledged that pupils, particularly those who are vulnerable or from disadvantaged backgrounds, may have additional barriers to their learning during this period. Knights Academy will ensure effective use of the Catch-up Premium to support all pupils to achieve their best and remove any gaps in their learning which could have developed due to the implications of CV-19 ensuring the best possible impact on learning for pupils and value for money.

The EEF suggests a 3-tiered* approach:

1. Teaching and whole school strategies

• High-quality teaching for all
• Effective diagnostic assessment including Nothing New Just Review (NNJR)
• Effective use of Direct instruction and Questioning
• Focusing on Professional Development

2. Targeted academic support 

• High-quality one to one and small group tuition 
• Teaching Assistants and targeted support - including in school support for Key Workers' children
• Planning for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

3. Wider strategies 

• Supporting pupils' social, emotional and behavioural needs 
• Successful implementation in challenging times 
• Communicating with and supporting parents
• Supporting pupils with their access to, and effective use of, technology

Barriers to Learning

Planned expenditure for current academic year