Covid catch up tutoring

[espresso14]

Hi, how are people's DC getting on with the catch up tutoring? Can you yet tell if it is helping?

Our school is only just about to start, but is not using the national tutoring programme but supply teacher for yr2 and experienced teachers for KS2.

For yr 2 it is small group work, taking place in school.

I don't think it's COVID specific but DD is in an extra spelling practice group each day, except they are doing the same spellings as the rest of the class which aren't accessible for her (she's also Y2 but she doesn't even know what most of the weekly spelling words mean).
We're going to do Doodle Spelling with her as it sets itself to her level (which it turns out is middle of Y1).

My DD is in Y5. The first I heard of any catch-up tutoring at her school was about three weeks ago, when she said her group of three children have started their 15 hours of maths with a Covid catch-up tutor (an hour per day, three days per week, for five weeks). Apparently they're the last group of three in her class to get these sessions, which she describes as fun sessions working through 'challenges' rather than specific teaching.

The school haven't communicated with parents at all about catching up. The only homework has been online, and not much of that. There is no feeling from DD that they are pushing hard to catch up - she's loving school and not under pressure at all. I'm pleased she's so happy, but do wonder whether they're a bit too relaxed! Parents' evening after half term (the first since October) so will find out more then.

The school should have catch up plan on their website.

Our local primaries aren’t using tutoring, mainly using the school teachers as they know the kids best, and then using supply (paid by the funding) to cover the teacher’s time out of class.

Our school are doing 2 x one hour sessions a week after school for each year group. One hour of maths on Mondays & one hour of english on Tuesdays. Approx 6-7 kids in each group.

They did them last term & are carrying on until the end of the summer term.

There's nothing about a catch up plan on DD's school's website.

Is the catch up funding supposed to benefit all kids, or just those who have been identified as having fallen behind due to Covid?

I've not heard a thing about catch up tutoring at DCs' school either. Two of mine won't need it, but the third definitely fell behind so I might ask.

Schools are legally required to have a document on their website to show how the Catch Up Grant is being spent. It is to be used for specifically to help children who may need a bit of extra support following lockdown, so it’s not for all children.

Our school extended the day for all students amongst other things- seems to have worked really well (although we opted out) so extra hour of maths/english every single day since winter half term. Just finished now!

I've been providing this tutoring on behalf of a charity so I'm coming at it from the other side. The problem we're facing is poor attendance. It definitely isn't as effective as teaching within school with a teacher who already knows the students. I have to spend time getting to know them and the methods they've been taught.

Hi - schools are to focus on disadvantaged and vulnerable children for the catch up tutoring.