Funding Support

16-19 Tuition Fund

The Department for Education announced funding to support students whose learning was disrupted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). This 16-19 tuition fund has been ring fenced for schools, colleges and 16-19 providers in the academic year 2020/21 and specifically allocated to support the learning of students who have yet to secure a grade 4 at GCSE in English and/or Mathematics. The guidance indicates that students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and/or those who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will also be eligible for support via this Fund. Although the funding has been allocated to support students who have not achieved a grade 4 in English and/or Mathematics by the age of 16, the support does not have to be used solely for English and Mathematics tuition.

Sandwell Academy received £8,149 of the Government’s £96 million one-off fund. The money will benefit students in Year 12 and 13 who fit the criteria. The students study a range of A level and BTEC courses.

Sandwell Academy commits to using the small group tuition funding that it has been given to mitigate against the impact of the pandemic on our study programme students. Sessions will be limited to three to five students per group and will be above and beyond normal timetabled hours. Students will be prioritised for small group tuition based on the guidance released by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

The funds will used in the following way:

• Small group tuition and or Virtual sessions, which is in addition to their timetabled subject sessions. These sessions will be conducted by our current staff body. The small group tuition objective is to secure a grade 4 and above in GCSE English and Maths and maximise exam achievement and ensure that students are ready to progress to exam questions.
• Additional sessions run during the weekend, half-term & end of term holidays
• Bespoke support to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, this includes, but is not limited to, personal development skills, positive mental health strategies, mentoring, counselling and exam preparation.
• Ensure students have access to the wealth of resources and support available online.
• Bespoke careers advice and guidance for Apprenticeship, University or employment.