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David Ward MP <>
Summer School Programme to Benefit Hundreds of Bradford Children
April 22, 2012 6:33 PM
Bradford MP David Ward has written to local head teachers urging them to take advantage of a new summer schools programme this year, which aims to make sure disadvantaged children aren't left behind in the to secondary school.
Ofsted data shows that performance can take a significant dip when children make the transition from primary to secondary school. The Summer Schools programme aims to bridge the gap and help Year 7 pupils get off to a flying start in their new school.
Schools in Bradford will receive £500 of funding per pupil on Free School Meals to provide two week summer school programmes. These are likely to include an induction into the new school and curriculum, intensive support in English and Maths for those who need it and other activities such as music and sport.
The Summer Schools programme was announced by Nick Clegg in his speech to last September's Liberal Democrat Conference, and is funded from the Pupil Premium, one of the Liberal Democrats' key manifesto commitments.
Commenting, David said:
"Summer schools give some of the most disadvantaged pupils the chance to swim rather than sink in those first critical weeks of secondary school.
"When I Chaired the Bradford East Area Committee we funded a Summer School at Carlton Bolling College which was a huge success. This funding makes that opportunity open to hundreds more children and I hope that more schools will now take advantage of it.
"It is crucial that all children are given a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their background, and this is an important part of the Coalition Government's commitment to making that happen".