David welcomes new summer school scheme
Bradford MP David Ward has welcomed the opening of a £50m summer schools programme, announced by the 
Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, last September. The fund is designed to help up to 100,000 of the most disadvantaged pupils with the transition from primary to secondary school.
In Bradford, there around 19,000 children eligible for this fund. Head teachers will be able to design and run summer schools, targeting pupils who will benefit the most. The funding could be used for activities such as:
• Transitional activities to help familiarise pupils with their new environment. Activities could include meeting teachers, having a tour of the school or learning more about their new curriculum.
• Additional intensive support in English and mathematics to enable pupils who need it to make progress in these key areas before they start the secondary curriculum, both as catch up and preparation for the new term.
• Wider enrichment activities such as arts, music and sports activities, trips to theatres and museums, visits to local higher education institutions and employers etc.
Commenting, David said:
"Social background should not be the deciding factor in a child's success in our schools. In a fair society it is a government's responsibility to close the gulf in achievement between the poorest children and their classmates.
"Evidence shows that disadvantaged children can slip further behind as they move into secondary school. That is why the Coalition Government is doing the right thing by helping heads and governors to build on their own induction arrangements and give these children an extra hand.
"The Liberal Democrats' commitment to the most disadvantaged children doesn't stop there. As well as this £50m fund, we are making significant extra funding available through the Pupil Premium.
"This will help schools tackle the inequalities that have been a part of our schools for far too long. In Bradford that means that this year, disadvantaged children will finally be getting the extra support they need to succeed thanks to an extra £16.2 million."
Ofsted research shows performance can take a significant dip when pupils transfer from primary to secondary schools, especially among those from disadvantaged backgrounds. From today, secondary schools can sign up for £500 for every disadvantaged pupil taking part in a two-week summer school. The money applies to all pupils transferring in to Year 7 who are on Free School Meals or have been in care for six months or more.
Head teachers can apply for summer school funding by clicking here https://www.prolog.co.uk/summerschoolsregistration/register.xhtml.
The Government has allocated £1.25 billion additional funding in 2012/13 for disadvantaged children through the Pupil Premium, and has pledged to increase this to £2.5 billion by 2014-15.