Guidance - key points

• The catch-up premium will only be available for the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
• Schools should use this funding for specific activities to support their pupils to catch up for lost teaching over the previous months, in line with the guidance on curriculum expectations for the next academic year.
• The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has published a support guide for schools. Schools should use this document to help them direct their additional funding in the most effective way.
• To support schools to implement their catch-up plans effectively, EEF has published the school planning guide: 2020 to 2021
• Schools should use the sum available to them as a single total from which to prioritise support for pupils according to their need.
• Schools have the flexibility to spend their funding in the best way for their cohort and circumstances.
• School leaders must be able to account for how this money is being used.
• Governors and trustees should scrutinise schools’ approaches to catch-up from September… and ensuring appropriate transparency for parents.
• Ofsted will conduct a programme of non-graded visits to some schools during the autumn. During these visits, inspectors will discuss how the school is bringing pupils back into full-time education – this may include plans schools have to spend their catch-up funding.

Please note: current strategy being updated.