Today, Sir Kevan Collins shed further light on his vision for the future of the government’s Covid catch-up efforts.

Appearing at the Schools North East Curriculum Conference, the dedicated education recovery commissioner spoke candidly about the need to reinforce catch-up plans with “billions” in government funding, while avoiding a “top-down” approach.

He started with a speech before taking questions, as part of a panel led by Tes editor Jon Severs.

Sir Kevan Collins: Who is the new Covid catch-up tsar?

Recovery: ‘Up to £15bn needed’ for Covid catch-up

Covid: Catch-up funding not ‘sufficient’, says DfE tsar

Here’s what we learned:

1. Asking more of teachers comes with a ‘significant price tag’

Sir Kevan said that teachers should not be asked “to do any more for no more” as part of the Covid catch-up effort.

And the amount of funding dedicated to the recovery plan should be “in the billions”, he said.

2. Schools will ‘hopefully’ be able to pick their own tutors

The catch-up tsar said schools should be given more control over Covid catch-up tutoring.

He wants to introduce a “third way into tutoring”, whereby schools would identify who they want to deliver the support.

3. Catch-up tsar will ‘say it like it is’

Sir Kevan said he has “nothing to lose” by speaking his mind at such a “profound moment” for the education system.

He added that part of his role as recovery commissioner was to “stop bad things happening or the wrong things happening, as well as encouraging people to do the right things”.