
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
£100 - 110 per day
Location free text
Whitstable
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Kent
Description
Job Title: Lesson Supervisor Location: Whitstable, Kent Salary: Competitive, Based on Experience Job Type: Full-Time / Part-Time About Us: Teaching Personnel is the UK’s leading education recruitment
Reference
JK les sup Whit
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Branch SecondaryAuthor
Branch SecondarySalary
£30,000 - 46,525 per year
Location free text
Folkestone
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Physical Education
Location
Kent
Description
Job Title: Secondary School PE Teacher Location: Folkestone, Kent Employer: Teaching Personnel Are you a passionate PE Teacher looking to inspire the next generation? Join a dynamic
Reference
JK PE FOLK
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Branch SecondaryAuthor
Branch SecondarySalary
£160 - 225 per day
Location free text
Bristol
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£750 - £1,249 per week
Sector
Teacher
Location
Bristol
Description
Year 3 Primary School Teacher – Maternity Cover Location: BS40 Area Start Date: September 2025 Contract: Full-Time, Maternity Cover Pay: Paid to Scale A welcoming and well-regarded primary school in t
Reference
0905MWATCH
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Bristol PrimaryAuthor
Bristol PrimarySalary
£30,000 - 46,525 per year
Location free text
Dover
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Physical Education
Location
Kent
Description
Job Title: Secondary School PE Teacher Location: Dover, Kent Employer: Teaching Personnel Are you a passionate PE Teacher looking to inspire the next generation? Join a dynamic and supp
Reference
JK PE DOV
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Branch SecondaryAuthor
Branch SecondarySalary
£120 - 150 per day
Location free text
Hampshire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Primary
Location
Hampshire
Description
Job Vacancy: Primary School Supply Teacher – HampshireLocation: Primary Schools across Hampshire Job Type: Flexible / Supply / Temporary Salary: £120 – £150 per day (depending on experience) Start Dat
Reference
LHSTHAMP
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire PrimaryAuthor
Hampshire PrimarySalary
£130 - 251 per day
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Other
Location
Northampton
Description
Position: Psychology Teachers (x2) Locations: Northampton & Wellingborough Start Date: September 2025Teaching Personnel are seeking two dedicated and experienced Psychology Teachers to work in two of
Reference
Psychnn3nn9sep
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£13.75 - 14.00 per hour
Location free text
Hampshire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Hampshire
Description
Job Vacancy: Primary School Teaching Assistant – HampshireLocation: Hampshire, UK Job Type: Full-time or part-time (term-time only) Salary: from £13.75 per hour Start Date: September 2025 (or sooner
Reference
LHHAMPTA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire PrimaryAuthor
Hampshire PrimarySalary
£30k - 40k per year
Location free text
Wirral
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Other
Location
Wirral
Description
Full-Time Teacher – Alternative Provision (Wirral)An alternative provision based in Wirral is looking for a passionate and dedicated Teacher to join its committed team. This full-time, temp-to-perm po
Reference
0905-P
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Liverpool BranchAuthor
Liverpool BranchSalary
£31,650 - 49,804 per year
Location free text
Warrington
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
KS2 - Year 5
Location
Warrington
Description
Job Position: KS2 - Year 5 Teacher Start Date: September 2025 Daily Pay Rate: Paid to Scale Location: Warrington, WA1 Contract: Full-time, Temporary (with a Golden Handshake offer of £200 upon securi
Reference
Y5QAWARR
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wigan and Warrington BranchAuthor
Wigan and Warrington BranchSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Biddenham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Bedfordshire
Description
Job Title: Tutor Location: East of England, Bedfordshire, BiddenhamSalary: £25.00 - £30.00 Per hourJob Duties: Deliver engaging and informative tutoring sessions to studentsDevelop and implement
Reference
BG0905TUTOR8
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionRelated posts

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The True Worth of Professional Exam Invigilation When schools and colleges across England and Wales prepare for examination periods, the pressure to maintain JCQ compliance while ensuring fair ass
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

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
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The landscape of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is transforming. The number of pupils in the UK with special educational needs (SEN) has increased over the last five years. Toda
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
As Spring approaches, it's a critical date for many teachers in the UK who may be contemplating their professional future ahead of the February 28th resignation deadline. While teaching remains on
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
Teaching assistants support teachers and students in the classroom. The role is invaluable and continues to grow in importance as school environments become larger and more diverse. In fact, teach
by
West Yorkshire Primary

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
When you worked as a teacher, you may have looked forward to retirement, as it meant having more time for leisurely activities or spending more time with loved ones. However, the novelty of retire

by
Scott Owen
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
In the last three years, the likelihood of young people having mental health problems has increased by 50%. According to a report by The Health Foundation, one in six children aged six to 16 in Englan

by
Scott Owen

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
Recent reports state that special schools are seeing a decrease in enrollment. Many local authorities aim to integrate more children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) into mainst
by
Adam Davies
.jpg)
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
The festive season and the end of term are quickly approaching! To help you prepare, our Payroll team has shared all the essential dates you need to ensure you get paid before Christmas. Check out t
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job