One-to-one help for slow learners
metrowebukmetroMonday 8 Jan 2007 5:15 am
Alan Johnson has announced extra tuition for slow learners
Pupils who lag behind national standards are to be given one-to-one tuition to help them catch up, Education Secretary Alan Johnson has announced.
A two-year pilot will see under-achievers given up to 20 hours of personal tutoring in English and mathematics.
As part of a package to provide "personalised" learning, children who progress more quickly than others will also be allowed to take national tests as soon as they are ready.
And new progress targets will be agreed with schools, with those improving most receiving financial rewards.
"Despite everyone's best efforts, children don't develop at the same pace," Mr Johnson said. "Children simply don't proceed, progress or attain grades at school equally."
He added: "These proposals will create a more personalised and flexible system rather than measuring progress at the end of a key stage, the focus will shift towards progress within each key stage and indeed in year."
Mr Johnson stressed that the moves would not signal the end of Sats tests or the Government's targets-based approach to achievement in schools.
"I want to make it possible for children to take an externally-marked test whenever the pupil is ready, rather than only at the end of a long key stage," he said.
"But this testing when ready approach does not mean that we are scrapping the Sats tests – it does mean that we are ensuring that all pupils are better able to succeed in the end of key stage tests."
Up to 10,000 children could benefit from personal tuition at a cost of £6 million. The trial, to take place in about 10 areas, will begin in September. Mr Johnson said tutoring could take place out of hours in school, at home or at drop-in centres.
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