Schools in England can now register to offer summer provision for pupils who experienced the most disruption to their learning during the pandemic.
Secondary schools will be encouraged to bid for a share of a £200 million government fund for summer schools this year, which is predominantly being targeted towards incoming Year 7 students.
The government anticipates that a two-week summer school will give these students an opportunity to make up some lost academic ground before they start a new school, following a year of disruption.
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Summer schools will include a variety of activities, from group activities, such as sports, to mental health support and academic catch-up, such as maths and English lessons, the Department for Education said.
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Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Additional support this summer - on top of the National Tutoring programme and additional funding for schools - will help boost learning and wellbeing, plus help prepare those pupils about to start secondary schools.
“We’re supporting schools to plan their summer provision as early as possible, and making sure parents and pupils themselves have the notice they need to plan their own summers.
“I am confident that this summer of enrichment and engagement in academic work will be a great success, tailored to local needs by the wonderful heads and teachers who best understand the needs of their students.”
In February, as part of the £1.7 billion “catch-up” package in England, the government announced a £200 million fund for summer schools this year.
Schools can now sign up via an online form on gov.uk to confirm their plans, with flexibility for schools to target funding at other groups of students.
Parents will hear from their schools over May and June as they progress with their planning, but it remains at the discretion of schools which students they target their summer school offer towards.
