£477, 500 will help Year 7 pupils who didn’t reach the expected level
in literacy and maths when they finished primary school across
Hertfordshire catch up with their classmates who did.

Schools will today (Thursday) receive £500 per pupil who didn’t reach
the expected level to help them through catch-up classes and
individual tuition.

Evidence shows only five per cent of pupils who don’t achieve Level 4
in both English and maths at Key Stage 2 go on to achieve five GCSEs
at A* to C, including English and maths.

This extra money, announced by Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy
Prime Minister, Nick Clegg in September at Liberal Democrat Autumn
Conference, is to help these children catch up with their classmates.

Schools will have freedom to decide how best to use the catch-up
premium, but examples could include:

•       Small-group tuition supported by new classroom materials and
resources, which could take place at lunchtimes or after school;
•       Holiday support to deliver intensive catch-up over a short period.
•       Additional services and materials to add to those provided by the
school, such as tutor services or proven computer-based learning or
online support.

Commenting, Councillor Nick Hollinghurst (Tring and The Villages,
Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) said:

“No pupil should be left behind in our schools, to ensure that
everyone has a fair chance to get on in life. To achieve this it is
hugely important that every child has a strong grasp of maths and a
good reading ability when they start at secondary school.

“Catch-up classes and personal tuition are targeted at those who need
a helping hand, so their chances of success are increased rather than
letting them fall behind further.