What is the 'Catch-Up Premium'?

At St Nicholas CE Primary Academy, we want everybody to be able to "let their light shine." Children and young people across the country have experienced unprecedented disruption to their education as a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Within the love of God, we aim to equip all of our learners with the skills, knowledge, experiences and understanding they need in order to succeed in their next phase of education.

We are committed to ensuring that all pupils have the best start to their education. Following the period of school closures in 2020, we have reaffirmed our commitment to reducing the effects of school closures and providing all of our pupils with support, tailored to their needs. Those from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds will be among those hardest hit. The aggregate impact on each child's education will be substantial, and the scale of our response must match the scale of the challenge.

Our strategic focus for how we spend the Coronavirus (COVID-19) catch-up premium grant funding aims to support each pupil whilst also being aware of what is needed to diminish gaps in attainment between disadvantaged pupils and their non-disadvantaged peers. We focus on providing experiences or intiatives that are research-based so that we can make the best possible impact.

Purpose of Coronavirus (COVID-19) catch-up premium funding

The government believes that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) catch-up premium grant, which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address the current adverse effects caused by the period of school closures.

Schools’ allocations will be calculated on a per pupil basis, providing each mainstream school with a total of £80 per pupil. As the catch-up premium has been designed to mitigate the effects of the unique disruption caused by Coronavirus (COVID-19), the grant will only be available for the 2020 to 2021 academic year.

In line with the guidance on curriculum expectations for the next academic year, Infinity Academies Trust schools will use this funding for specific activities to support our pupils to flourish, taking a bespoke approach to the curriculum in order to mitigate any impact from the previous months of lockdown and isolation.

Schools have the flexibility to spend their funding in the best way for their cohort and circumstances which is why, at St Nicholas CE Primary Academy, we are being thoughtful, careful and measured in our approach to the allocation of this funding.

We are seeking not to 'make up for lost learning' but rather to facilitate relationships, re-connection, reflection and rebuilding of every child in their own unique way.

Every single person across the world will have had their own, very personal experience of the Coronavirus pandemic and as such, we must approach the rebirth of our educational provision at St Nicholas CE Primary Academy with kindness and courage.

Please take a look at how we have allocated the 'Catch-up premium' so far: