Weir announces £4.5m for School Summer Scheme

A total of 451 educational settings have applied to run a voluntary summer scheme.

School Summer Scheme

Details of school budget allocations for the School Summer Scheme 2021 have been published today. 

The Minister said: “Schools have responded overwhelmingly to the call for applications, resulting in 451 educational settings who have applied to the Department for support to run a voluntary Summer Scheme. This is ten times larger than last year.

“I am investing £4.5 million in the programme, the main purpose of which is to help pupils make a successful return to learning in September 2021.

“This is not about catch-up and schools will have flexibly to develop an appropriate programme.  There will be a focus on emotional health and wellbeing, as well as activities, which are interactive and fun, with plenty of scope for outside play, and for learning activities.

“I am confident that this scheme will provide a welcome and enjoyable distraction for our young people who have faced so much turmoil during the last year.”

The settings involved include primary and post-primary schools, special schools and EOTAS settings.

The Education Authority’s Youth Service is also planning a significant programme of summer activities which will complement the work that schools undertake. 

Notes to editors: 

1. Funding will be allocated to the school or EOTAS budget after the Summer Scheme is complete.
2. Settings have been encouraged to liaise with local councils, childcare providers and the voluntary and community sector to help in the delivery of the programme if that is considered appropriate. Settings can cluster together to deliver a Summer Scheme, e.g. in a particular Area Learning Community or geographical area if they wish to do so. Settings should select year groups / pupils to attend that will benefit most from this type of provision.  Parents / carers should not be asked to contribute to the cost of the programme.
3. A range of resources have been developed for schools to draw upon this year. The Summer Scheme can be delivered by school leaders, school teachers, classroom assistants and/or substitute teachers.
4. The Summer Scheme Policy and FAQs document, resources and details of budget allocated can be accessed via the following link:  Summer Scheme Policy and FAQs
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