What is the problem?

The 170 days of the year where children are not at school presents a host of challenges for low income households. Losing school meals means some children miss their only hot meal of the day, while parents risk financial security choosing between costly childcare or time off work.

Academic attainment also takes a dip as children spend extended time out of school – often termed 'summer learning loss'. This is accentuated among children from more disadvantaged backgrounds, meaning that students start the academic year on an unequal footing. As each summer holiday worsens the problem, some children fall behind and never fully catch up.

Our project

Our Summer School aims to tackle both of these issues as best we can, providing food and activities to children from low income backgrounds in the region. The project will put together an engaging programme of rigorous academic content, delivered by outstanding practitioners within the Teach First participant and ambassador network and beyond. The content of the programme will be tailored to ensure maximum impact on attainment through utilising both cutting edge research on summer learning loss, and the firsthand experience of leading teachers in the region, focusing on Year 10 pupils as they make the challenging step into their GCSE year.

What can you do?

We need your support! Our pilot project is taking place in Gateshead this summer and in order for us to be able to reach a range of pupils, we need help in funding transport to our venue - kindly donated to us by St. George's Church, Gateshead. All support would be much appreciated!