Private schools offer classrooms for summer catch-up lessons

PRIVATE schools are offering to open up their classrooms for summer catchup courses for children who have missed out most during the pandemic.

The Independent Schools Council (ISC), which represents more than 1,300 fee-paying institutions, said they have space available because their normal event bookings over the summer have been cancelled.

Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC, has written to the Education Secretary to offer its support in hosting catch-up courses for state school pupils to help “close the disadvantage gap”. It comes as Gavin Williamson is due to announce plans this week for a national “catch up” initiative which is expected to include summer camps as well as one-on-one tutoring.

However, teaching unions have previously suggested that they will refuse to back the plans if it means their members will need to work over the summer.

Ms Robinson said: “If a national scheme can be organised and catch-up courses can be delivered regionally, independent schools will willingly support extra tuition provision in whatever practical ways they can − providing classrooms, catering and other staffing as far as they are able.”

Six large independent schools, including King’s College School in Wimbledon and Bury Grammar School in Greater Manchester, are preparing to run their own summer catch-up provision at their own cost.

According to Ms Robinson, about 80 per cent of private schools have said they would be interested in running courses for those most in need if they were given extra funding.

“It’s really important for us that we’re not overlooked as a sector. It would be a total shame.

“I think it would be a loss to the country, a loss to the joint effort,” Ms Robinson added.

“Independent schools are poised, ready to support and provide a venue for extra catch-up work.”