The Department for Education has told schools they should consider budgeting for its new “Parent Pledge” in their plans for next year.
Writing to schools this afternoon, the department said that, while most schools and trusts are already providing catch up support to pupils falling behind, “for some it will be a shift in approach”.
The Parent Pledge, which was announced as part of the Schools White Paper just over a month ago, promised parents that their child’s school would “provide evidence-based support if your child falls behind in English or maths, and tell you about their progress”.
In the email to heads today, the DfE said: “As academy trusts and their schools plan their budgets for the coming academic year, it is useful to consider how to factor in the Parent Pledge, published as part of last month’s Schools White Paper.
“The Parent Pledge sets out a commitment that any child who falls behind in English or maths will get support to help them catch up, and that schools will keep parents updated on their child’s progress.
“We know that most schools and trusts are already doing this, but, for some, it will be a shift in approach. School leaders are best placed to understand the needs of their pupil cohorts and have the flexibility to prioritise their spending to support those needs.
“We encourage you to look at the funding and support available to your school, including funding through the pupil premium and the National Tutoring Programme.”
A poll by Teacher Tapp previously revealed that more than three-quarters of teachers already provide the support that the government announced as part of the Parent Pledge.
Last week, education secretary Nadhim Zahawi wrote to schools outlining a plan to publish data revealing each school’s take-up of the NTP.
Mr Zahawi said the data would be then shared with parents as part of the fulfilment of the Parent Pledge.
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