Nursery World - National tutoring catch-up scheme failing disadvantaged pupils, say MPs

The Government’s multi-million pound catch-up programme risks failing pupils who need it the most, leaving them facing an ‘epidemic of educational inequality’, a report from the education select committee says .

MPs say the Government's catch-up scheme is not reaching the children who need it most PHOTO Adobe Stock

The cross-party committee of MPs says that delivery partner Randstad is not meeting its targets, and calls on the Government to prove the National Tutoring Programme’s efficacy, or axe the contract signed with Randstad.

School closures had a significant impact on the majority of children’s learning, the report says.

On average, pupils spent just two-and-a half hours learning every day, mental health problems for children rose by 60 per cent, and schools faced a ‘spaghetti junction’ of bureaucracy trying to navigate funding to support the reopening schools and educational recovery.

While £5 billion of extra Government funding for catch-up is welcome, the report warns that it is not being spent wisely.

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