How Your School Can Make the Most of Covid Catch-Up Funding
Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic first shut schools, the educational community has been deeply concerned about its effects on the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. In June 2020, the Prime Minister and Education Secretary announced a £1 billion package of “catch-up” funding to mitigate the impacts of learning loss for children in England.
This has been renewed for the new academic year with a further £1 billion. This funding package is designed to make high-impact, small-group private tutoring accessible for the poorest students.
What catch-up funding is available?
The £650 million catch-up premium that the government made available for the 2020/21 academic year has now expired. In its place, £1 billion has since been made available in a huge expansion to the National Tutoring Programme (NTP), which is now the cornerstone of the DfE’s catch-up objectives.
What is the National Tutoring Programme?
The National Tutoring Programme is a subsidy that allows the vast majority of English schools to provide targeted, small-group tutoring to their most disadvantaged pupils. As an educational initiative, it is unprecedented in its scale and reach.
How does the NTP work?
The NTP has been structured to give six million pupils a 15-hour package of intensive tutoring each. Schools have three options, or ‘strands’, through which to take advantage of this catch-up funding.
Strand 1: Tuition Partners
The Tuition Partners strand will cover 70% of the cost of hiring an officially approved Tuition Partner to provide and manage tutors. Schools will specify the subjects and age cohorts they wish to benefit from this tutoring. Lessons will predominantly take place in groups of three, though smaller group sizes and one-on-one tutoring can be arranged if needed.
Teaching Personnel is proud to have been selected as a Tuition Partner for the second year in a row.
Strand 2: Academic Mentors
This strand subsidises 95% of the salary of an Academic Mentor. This individual, typically a graduate, will help the Senior Leadership Team identify the support pupils need, and work with the class teacher to provide it.
Strand 3: School-Led Tutoring
This strand of the NTP, newly introduced for 2021, provides a greater level of choice for schools in how they run their catch-up programme. Schools can hire from outside the list of approved Tuition Partners, allowing them to draw from existing (or former) members of their workforce or to hire new staff.
This strand is funded by a grant that all schools automatically receive, calculated to cover 75% of tuition costs for 60% of a school’s pupil premium recipients. The grant is ring-fenced and can only be spent on the staffing costs of tuition. Schools should now have received the first instalment from the DfE.
Find out more about the new School-Led Tutoring route by reading this comprehensive explainer.
Is my school eligible to receive this funding?
All state-funded schools in England are eligible to receive catch-up funding for the National Tutoring Programme. This includes special schools and Alternative Provision settings.
How can I take advantage of the NTP?
In the 2020/21 academic year, Teaching Personnel helped 639 schools across England use their catch-up funding to support 19,440 disadvantaged pupils as an NTP Tuition Provider. Our new NTP Impact Report tells the story of our success in the first year.
Having been selected again as Tuition Partners for the second year, we have expanded the range of our services. Our experienced tutors are currently working in schools through both the Tuition Partners and School-Led Tutoring funding strands. Their expertise and diligence are critical in helping in-need pupils catch up after Covid.
If you want to learn more about using the government’s Covid catch-up funding options to support your school’s disadvantaged pupils, get in touch with our NTP support team today.
Help vulnerable pupils catch up
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£95 - 105 per day
Location free text
County Durham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Durham
Description
Maths Graduate Teaching Assistant – Durham/SunderlandMay 2026 start, full time, £95 to £105 per day.Are you a Maths graduate looking to gain practical classroom experience? Do you want to inspire youn
Reference
IJMGR2026
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Kettering
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Job Title: 1:1 Tutor (Home or School-Based) Location: Kettering and surrounding areas Hours: Flexible, during school hours (typically 8:30am–3:30pm) Pay: Competitive rates (dependent on experience and
Reference
S189/Kettering
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Wellingborough
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Job Title: 1:1 Tutor (Home or School-Based) Location: Wellingborough and surrounding areas Hours: Flexible, during school hours (typically 8:30am–3:30pm) Pay: Competitive rates (dependent on experienc
Reference
S188/Wellingborough
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Birmingham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Birmingham
Description
Job Title: 1:1 Tutor (Home or School-Based) Location: Birmingham and surrounding areas Hours: Flexible, during school hours (typically 8:30am–3:30pm) Pay: Competitive rates (dependent on experience an
Reference
S187/Birmingham
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northampton
Description
Job Title: 1:1 Tutor (Home or School-Based) Location: Northampton and surrounding areas Hours: Flexible, during school hours (typically 8:30am–3:30pm) Pay: Competitive rates (dependent on experience a
Reference
S186/Northampton
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£130 - 140 per day
Location free text
Helston
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
KS1 - Year 2
Location
Cornwall
Description
✏️ KS1 Teacher (Years 1–2) ✏️ Primary School in Helston | Flexible HoursAre you a passionate Key Stage 1 Teacher looking for flexible work in a friendly and supportive primary school? We are workin
Reference
Se KS1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Cornwall PrimaryAuthor
Cornwall PrimarySalary
£130 - 140 per day
Location free text
Penzance
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
KS2 - Year 4
Location
Penzance
Description
KS2 Teacher (Years 3–6) Primary School in Penzance | Flexible HoursAre you an enthusiastic Key Stage 2 Teacher looking for a flexible teaching role in a supportive primary school? We are working
Reference
SE KS2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Cornwall PrimaryAuthor
Cornwall PrimarySalary
£90 - 110 per day
Location free text
Newcastle upon Tyne
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
Description
English Graduate Teaching AssistantLocation: Newcastle Upon Tyne Start Date: May 2026 Contract: Full-Time Salary: £90–£110 per dayAre you an English graduate eager to gain hands-on experience in educa
Reference
HE- EG1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£170 - 240 per day
Location free text
Milton Keynes
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Maths
Location
Milton Keynes
Description
Maths teacherLocation - Milton KeynesContact type - Full timeAre you a passionate Maths Teacher looking for next full-time role in Milton Keynes? Teaching personnel is working with welcoming secondary
Reference
mathsmk
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£130 - 160 per day
Location free text
Newcastle upon Tyne
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
Description
Job title: Secondary Supply TeacherLocation: Newcastle Upon TyneStart date: May 2026Contract: Flexible (between 2-5 days a week availability)Salary: £130-£160 a day (Dependent on Experience)Looking fo
Reference
HE- GCT
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondaryRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
With the Easter break and end of term coming up, it’s time to get your payroll sorted! Our Payroll team has outlined the key dates you need to ensure you receive your pay on time. Check out the ta
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Hi, my name is Emilia and I’ve been working as a Recruitment Consultant for secondary schools across Central and South Bristol at Teaching Personnel for almost a year. During my time in the role
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Alex, a Consultant in our Birmingham Primary branch shares how our recent Paediatric First Aid Course went and its importance for primary school educators. Having met with schools and prioritisin
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
Understanding the DfE's visions for inclusive education: What schools need to knowEvery Child Achieving and Thriving is the new white paper from the Department for Education (DfE). The document s
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
Nell Whitfield is a Teaching Assistant working with our Manchester branch, currently supporting pupils in a SEND school. With a hands-on approach and a real passion for helping childre
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Nicole Totterdell, MAT Account Manager at Teaching Personnel is taking on the incredible challenge of a skydive in February to raise money for Father Hudson’s Caritas.
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Get to know Thomas Grindrod, 24, from Leyland, Lancashire, and find out more about his role in our Liverpool Primary team. Tell us about your role at Teaching PersonnelAs
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Exam season offers a valuable opportunity if you’re looking for flexible, meaningful work within schools. Exam invigilating is a vital role that supports students during key assessment periods, an
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
Ofsted’s new inspection changes mark a shift in how UK schools are evaluated. Routine inspections will start from 1 December 2025. Between now and Christmas, Ofsted will prioritise state-funded sc
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
With the Christmas break and end of term coming up, it’s time to get your payroll sorted! Our Payroll team has outlined the key dates you need to ensure you receive your pay on time. Check out the
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job