It’s safe to say that the coronavirus pandemic has massively disrupted the delivery of education throughout 2020—especially for those missing out on vital learning opportunities and key support in the classroom.

In a bid to close the learning gap, the UK Government have launched funding opportunities for educators to take during the forthcoming academic year.

“Although all children have had their education disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. It is likely that disadvantaged and vulnerable groups will have been hardest hit.”—www.gov.uk

The UK Government’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Catch-Up Premium—worth £1 billion—aims to get students’ learning back on track, as quickly as possible. This fund can be accessed in many ways, with part of the criteria stating it can be spent on:

Targeted support strategies

One-to-one small group tuition
Extended school time
Intervention programs

Wider strategies

Supporting parents and carers
Summer support
Providing better access to technology

Primary, secondary, independent special schools, and more, are all eligible for the COVID-19 Catch-Up Premium.

Funding allocations will be calculated on a per pupil basis, providing each mainstream school with a total of £80 per pupil (in years reception through to 11). Special, AP, and hospital schools will be provided with £240 for each place for the 2020/21 academic year.

The move to roll out the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Catch-Up Premium is great news for students who can benefit from reading aids, such as the ReaderPen.

The award-winning ReaderPen enables students with dyslexia (and other learning difficulties) to hear printed text aloud, with the wave of a hand.

With classroom bubbles meaning less teachers and assistants per class, the small, yet mighty device provides COVID-19 secure support in the classroom, and beyond.

Using the Collins English and Oxford Primary dictionaries, students can hear dictionary definitions aloud, minimising the need for teachers to look over a student’s shoulder to support their reading and learning.

Here at Scanning Pens, we can help you keep your class on a level playing field with the power of educational technology—giving you the time to support students of all levels, and give students support in accessing age related text.

Learn more about the ReaderPen here. If you’d like more information on our reading aids, or how they can be purchased through government funding, please get in touch.