Catch-up Funding

Catch-up funding was Introduced as part of the government’s £1 billion initiative to support children and young people in catching up lost time after school closure as a result of COVID-19. This was considered to be especially important for children from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds.

How will schools receive the funding?

School allocations will be calculated on a per pupil basis with mainstream schools receiving £80 for each pupil. Schools will receive payments in 3 stages – Autumn 2020, early 2021 and Summer 2021.

Using catch-up funding

Schools have the flexibility to spend their funding in the most effective way for their pupils and circumstances but are expected to use the funding for specific activities to support children to catch up for lost teaching time. Schools are able to identify the best use of the funding through use of the Education Endowment Foundation’s School Planning Guide 2020-2021.

Accountability and monitoring

School leaders must be able to account for how this money is being used to achieve the ultimate goal of getting back on track and teaching a normal curriculum as quickly as possible. Governors and trustees should scrutinise school approaches to catch-up from the starting point in September and the planned approach for use of the catch-up funding and subsequent monitoring.

Downloads & Useful Links

Acorn MAT Catch Up Premium Update July 2021.docxTSM Acorn MAT Catch Up Premium Plan