West London Zone’s CEO Louisa Mitchell spoke to Derren Hayes, editor of Children & Young People Now, about The National Tutoring Programme which aims to accelerate pupils’ academic progress and help prevent the attainment gap between disadvantaged and affluent children widening further.

She said: “We’re deeply worried about the attainment gap, but it’s got to be addressed at the right time. [..] Our link workers know the children really well, they work with them and their families to get them into school. When schools restart, children are going to need these deep relationships. Some will need to be worked with through a trauma-informed approach to help them sit still in class, listen to the teacher and be comfortable being back with their peers.”

“Fun activities like play therapy and drama workshops will be important in rebuilding pupils’ confidence in learning [...] some of the most vulnerable children will need that to encourage them back into school.”

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