Summer schools open in south Lakes

South Lakes MP, Tim Farron has welcomed the news that 4 schools across Westmorland and Lonsdale will be opening their doors this summer to help some of the most disadvantaged pupils in our area with the big step up from primary to secondary school.

Many young people find the move to a bigger school and a more challenging curriculum daunting and this can lead to falling results and they often never catch up again. The first Summer Schools programme has been launched this morning by Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, to try and help those who are considered especially vulnerable, such as those on free schools meals or looked-after children.

Commenting Tim said: “For so many children across the South Lakes, the step up to secondary school can be incredibly daunting. It often means leaving the comfort and familiarity of your village primary school, where the teachers have known you for many years, and moving to a much bigger secondary school where it can be easy to feel lost in the crowd.

“These summer schools, at The Lakes School, The Queen Katherine School, Kirkbie Kendal School and Dallam School, are aimed at helping to introduce those children across the South Lakes who are most vulnerable build up the confidence helping to familiarise them with how a larger secondary school looks, works and what problems they might face.”

Commenting further, Nick Clegg said: “This is £50m worth of extra brain training giving tens of thousands of disadvantaged pupils a flying start at secondary school.

“It’s two weeks in the summer holidays where pupils can catch up on learning and get to grips with life in secondary school – in short, get in the starting blocks ready for the off in September. Those who struggle to make the transition are often among the poorest in society, but two weeks of activities can really help to bridge the gap.

“It’s good news for mums and dads too – no parent wants their child to be left out and fall behind. But not everyone has the luxury of taking long periods off work during the summer break. Summer schools will ensure pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds can start secondary school on an equal footing with their peers, setting them up to succeed.“