Covid Catch-up funding - Reception year early language programme

As part of the government Covid-19 catch up premium, the National Tutoring Programme are offering a reception year early language programme that will make training and resources available at no-cost to schools where additional targeted support for oral language would be particularly beneficial. This is based on the Nuffield Early Language Programme (NELI).

NELI is a high-quality, evidence-based, 20-week intervention designed to improve the language skills of reception age pupils. It involves scripted individual and small group language teaching sessions, delivered by trained school staff, usually teaching assistants. A recent trial of the programme found that children made on average three months of additional progress compared to children in the comparison group.

Participating schools will receive resources and will be able to access online training from the start of the spring term 2021.

All state-funded schools with a reception class can apply but places are limited. If places are over-subscribed, schools will be prioritised based on their percentage of free school meals (FSM) eligibility.

Schools need to register their interest by 30 October. For more information please see: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-catch-up-premium#neli

The application form is available online.