COVID19: Over 850 London pupils set for summer catch-up sessions

Over 850 young Londoners in six academies have been invited to attend a Summer catch-up programme to bridge learning gaps caused by lockdown school closures.

The schools, all part of the City of London Academies Trust, are based in Hackney, Islington and Southwark and sponsored by the City of London Corporation.

Year 6 and 10 pupils will take part, studying subjects including English, maths, science, art, and physical education. The programme will help younger children prepare for transition to secondary school and the older students to prepare for their GCSE courses.

The City of London Academies Trust is a leading multi-academy chain trust which runs the City Corporation’s sole-sponsored academies.

It has twice been named by social mobility charity Sutton Trust as the UK’s best academy sponsor for empowering pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to perform above the national average, and the leading academy sponsor for Progress 8 and Attainment 8, which track pupil progress and achievement.

The City Corporation has agreed to fund the summer school programme with £70,000.

Henry Colthurst, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Education Board, said:

“The last few months have been difficult for school pupils across the capital, with parents and teachers contending with new studying environments and different ways of learning.

“We know that some students and families have found these difficulties to be particularly challenging.

“This summer school, with the support of our dedicated teaching staff, will give students the opportunity to catch up, and help these young Londoners progress into fulfilling careers.”

Tijs Broeke, Chairman of the City of London Academies Trust, said:

“The summer school will be hugely beneficial to all our pupils, who have had to grapple with the uncertainty of the pandemic.

“Students will be taught in an environment that promotes academic, creative, sporting, linguistic, and personal achievement.

“Our aim is that the young people we serve develop into successful, compassionate young adults, who make a positive contribution to their local, national and global communities.”

The City of London Corporation’s family of schools has one maintained primary school and 10 sponsored or co-sponsored academies in neighbouring boroughs. It also supports three independent schools.

Notes to Editors

The City of London Corporation sponsors, co-sponsors or governs the following schools:

Co-sponsored academies

• City of London Academy, Islington (co-sponsor City University)
• The City Academy, Hackney (co-sponsor KPMG)

City of London Academies Trust:

• City of London Academy (Southwark)
• Redriff Primary, City of London Academy
• Galleywall Primary, City of London Academy
• City of London Primary Academy Islington
• City of London Academy Highgate Hill
• City of London Academy Highbury Grove
• City of London Academy Shoreditch Park
• Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre City of London Academy

Local Authority maintained school:

• Sir John Cass’s Foundation Primary School

Independent:

• City of London School
• City of London School for Girls
• City of London Freemen’s School