Ministers have announced
that disadvantaged pupils, who have fallen behind in reading and writing, will
be offered extra lessons before starting secondary school.
Under the £10m scheme, poorer pupils in England who
fail to reach Level 4 in English by the end of primary school will be given the
chance to take part in a project which will give the children a chance to take
extra lessons to improve their academic level.
This is specifically important as last year, some
100,000 11-year-olds did not reach this level - the standard expected of the
age group.
Ministers said the move, which is being funded
through the pupil premium - personal funding for disadvantaged children - is
part of a bid to narrow the achievement gap with their richer classmates. It
follows concerns that some children can fall behind or struggle to make the
transition between primary and secondary school.
Organisations such as schools, councils and
charities are being asked to bid for funding to run the literacy catch-up
classes.
Pupils who are eligible for free school meals (FSM)
and looked-after children (those whose birth parents are unable to provide
continuing care) will have access to the classes, the Department for Education
said.
Children's Minister Sarah Teather said:
"Improving reading standards in schools is central to the coalition
government's education reforms.
"Being able to read fluently by the end of
primary school is essential. Without these skills children fall further behind
in their education. This programme, funded by the pupil premium, will help
struggling pupils catch up.
"It will also help close the gulf in
achievement, where the poorest children are less likely to leave school with
five good GCSEs than their less disadvantaged classmates."
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