Cash for Clevedon School for pupils falling behind in literacy and maths

Schools in North Somerset are to get extra cash to help children falling behind in literacy and maths.

Worle School won the top cash amount in the district in a bid to improve standards among 11-year-olds.

The Government has awarded North Somerset Council funding of £201,500 to help children in their first year of secondary school improve their reading, writing andarthimatic.

The funding is for Year 7 pupils who didn't reach the expected levels in literacy andmaths when they finished primary school to catch up with their classmates who did.

Coalition government deputy prime minister Nick Clegg announced the extra money for schools nationwide in September.

Each school will receive £500 per pupil who didn't reach the expected level to help them through catch-up classes and individual tuition.

Evidence shows only five per cent of pupils who don't achieve Level 4 in both English and maths at Key Stage 2 go on to achieve five GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths.

Schools will have freedom to decide how best to use the catch-up premium, but examples could include:

• Small-group tuition supported by new classroom materials and resources, which could take place at lunchtimes or after school;
• Holiday support to deliver intensive catch-up over a short period; and
• Additional services and materials to add to those provided by the school, such as tutor services or proven computer-based learning or online support.

North Somerset Council Liberal Democrater leader Mike Bell said: "This money will make a huge difference to students across the district and will make sure that we're not leaving any children behind. 

"We are lucky enough to have some of the best schools in the country in our area and this extra funding will ensure that every student gets a chance to benefit from that.

"This additional support will help to fund catch-up classes and personal tuition for those pupils that are struggling so their chances of success are increased rather than letting them fall behind further."

Funds awarded to North Somerset secondary schools

• Worle School - £33,500 (67 pupils)
• Priory Community School - £25,000 (50 pupils)
• Backwell School - £21,500 (43 pupils)
• Clevedon School - £23,000 (46 pupils)
• Gordano School - £21,500 (43 pupils)
• Broadoak Mathematics and Computing College - £16,000 (32 pupils)
• Hans Price Academy - £15,000 (30 pupils)
• Nailsea School - £13,500 (27 pupils)
• Churchill Academy and Sixth Form - £11,000 (22 pupils)
• St Katherine's School - £9,000 (18 pupils)

Fund awarded to North Somerset special schools

• Westhaven Special School - £5,500
• Ravenswood School - £4,500
• Baytree School - £2,500