The catch-up premium has been designed to mitigate the effects of the unique disruption caused by coronavirus (COVID-19). The grant was initially available for the 2020-21 academic year, but a reduced grant was provided for 2021-22. A further grant to fund 75% of the cost of school-led tutoring was also provided in 2021-22.

Schools should use this funding for specific activities to support their pupils to catch up for lost teaching over the previous months, in line with the guidance on curriculum expectations for the next academic year. Schools have the flexibility to spend their funding in the best way for their cohort and circumstances.

As with all Government funding, school leaders must be able to account for how this money is being used to achieve the central goal of schools getting back on track and teaching a normal curriculum as quickly as possible. 

Given their role in ensuring schools spend funding appropriately and in holding schools to account for educational performance, governors and trustees should scrutinise schools’ approaches to catch-up from September, including their plans for and use of catch up funding. This should include consideration of whether schools are spending this funding in line with their catch up priorities, and ensuring appropriate transparency for parents.

Details on where this funding has been targeted is available to view from the attached Covid-19 Catch-Up Premium document. The impact of this funding will be reported on when the information is available.