PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
National Tutoring Programme: Roma and Travellers (24 September 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to ensure that children from Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller communities are reached as part of the National Tutoring Programme for children; and if he will ring-fence funding from that programme for those communities.

Asked by:
Nadia Whittome (Labour)

The National Tutoring Programme (NTP) will provide additional, targeted tutoring support for disadvantaged and vulnerable pupils who need the most help to catch up. It is important that decisions about what support pupils receive are made locally by those who understand their needs. Schools are encouraged to direct NTP support to pupil premium pupils who have been hardest hit by the disruption to their education. Schools are also able to exercise their professional judgement to include other disadvantaged and vulnerable children who are most in need of support.

As well as the NTP, the Department is also providing £650 million for a catch-up premium for all schools to help make up for lost teaching time. Schools can prioritise support based on individual needs, including pupils from deprived backgrounds and pupils facing other challenges, such as young carers, those working with a social worker, and those with mental health needs. Schools are free to use this funding to meet the needs of their pupils, including, for example, intervention programmes, extra teaching capacity or access to technology.

Answered by:
Nick Gibb (Conservative)
2 October 2020