Summer school catch-up courses

To help support the education recovery effort, a number of schools organised bespoke summer courses this year, designed to help local pupils catch up on their learning and develop key skills.

Alleyn’s School developed its first summer school programme, with the help of funds raised by the whole school community. The school reached out to eight partner primary schools, which helped to identify 44 families who would benefit most from the support. For five days, pupils in years 3 to 6 engaged in lessons covering subjects ranging from science and art to PSCHE and first aid. The pupils also enjoyed a breakfast and hot meal for lunch, and participated in sports activities each afternoon. Throughout the week, staff members at Alleyn’s Junior School helped to teach the lessons, while a number of Year 12 students volunteered their support. The week concluded with pupils performing a dance and several songs in front of their parents. Each child also received a rucksack full of school resources, as well as a family game and a WHSmith voucher to buy a book.

In July, 200 Year 5 pupils attended the Whitgift Community Summer School, each enjoying a week of academic lessons and co-curricular activities, with food provided. Academic lessons covered the core subjects of English, maths and science, as well as art, history, economics, geography and philosophy. Pupils also participated in sport, coding, drama and fencing lessons, and each week concluded with a teambuilding afternoon. Sixth form students from Whitgift School and Old Palace of John Whitgift School volunteered as mentors, supporting pupils in their lessons and activities.

This year, nearly 60 Year 10 students from 18 different schools were selected to attend the Eton Connect Summer School, a five-day residential programme hosted at Eton College. The pupils embarked on the EtonX Skills for Success course, which aims to help students understand themselves better, discover their strengths and values, and develop the resilience to keep going during challenging times. They also learned more about how to pitch themselves, the importance of employability, and how to pursue their dream futures.

“My child really enjoyed his week at Whitgift. He was happy to come every day, made new friends and especially liked the fencing activity. I really liked the structure of the day and the variety of subjects taught. For example, he has never learnt debating at primary school, but this was something taught in philosophy which is such a great skill for the future. Many thanks to all the staff involved!” A parent of a pupil who attended the Whitgift Community Summer School