IPPN

Published: 13 May 2021

It is important to note that while the offer of a Summer Programme is made to every school, it is not obligatory for every school to participate.
It should also be noted that the job of ‘overseer’ can be carried out by the principal if they wish, or another member of staff. IPPN see the Summer Programmes as an ideal opportunity to build leadership capacity within the school, by offering opportunities to post-holders or other teachers to take the lead.
The following provides some guidance for schools in preparation for July Provision.

• Identify children in your school who are entitled to apply for July provision
• Pupils with a diagnosis of Autism
• Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties
• Pupils with Down Syndrome
• Any child in a special class or special school
• Children transitioning into a special class from Early Years settings
• Pupils in primary school mainstream classes who present with the following disabilities
• Children who are Deaf or severely hard of hearing
• Children who are blind or have a most severe visual impairment
• Children who have a moderate general learning disability
• Children with severe emotional behavioural difficulties

Draw parent’s attention to the form available on DES website.

Identify teachers/SNAs on staff who are willing and available to do July provision/school based programme.

All teachers must complete a Statutory Declaration in order to be eligible to provide tuition. A declaration made within the previous 12 months is valid.
A declaration must be witnessed and signed by one of the following:

• Practising Solicitor
• Commissioner of Oaths
• Notary Public
• Peace Commissioner

Schools can help to match available tutors to eligible pupils.

School based programmes
The principal and BoM should decide whether some children will be offered the school based summer provision which is available this year.

Every school will be offered the chance to participate in the scheme this year.
Numeracy and Literacy camps will be available to all primary schools-expanded to 2 weeks.
Schools have autonomy and flexibility to plan a programme in terms of the schools’s own context.

Children with Complex needs

• Pupils with a diagnosis of autism
• Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties
• Pupils with Down syndrome
• Pupils who are deaf are severely hard of hearing
• Pupils who are blind or have a severe visual impairment.
• Pupils with a moderate general learning disability
• Pupils with severe emotional behavioural difficulties.

Children in the above categories entering primary school next September are also eligible for the programme.

Children at the greatest risk of educational disadvantage

• Pupils already identified by the school as being more at risk of educational disadvantage and early school leaving.
• Pupils who did not access or engage fully in online learning during the school closures in 2020 and in 2021.
• Pupils whose domestic circumstances or home environment is not conducive to online learning.
• Pupils who have been identified as having poor attendance
• Traveller and Roma pupils

Note: The above criteria are not prescriptive, but act as a guideline. Schools are best placed to have autonomy in determining which pupils are most likely to be at risk of educational disadvantage.

Supports for Pupils Participating in the Summer Programme

• School meals programme - DSP provided for an extension of School Meals for all eligible schools participating in summer programs last year. Similar arrangements are being explored for this year
• School Transport - SEN Transport services or grant funding will be available to children with complex needs that normally avail of the scheme.

Supports for Schools Participating in the Summer Programme

• Centralised Application Process – Online portal to reduce administrative burden on schools
• Overseer - All schools can appoint and overseer are to manage the school’s summer programmes
• Preparation - Paid preparation time of 10 hours per program per week, will be made available to each school
• Earlier Payment – The DE is exploring the option to make payments via 0LCS or Esinet system
• Staffing – Provision for schools to recruit final year student teachers graduating this summer
• Flexibility – Program can take place in July or August
• Guidance – Additional guidance, information and CPD is available
• Helpline – Will be provided to support the Programme
• Running Costs – Capitation Grant funding will be provided to cover the running costs of the scheme.

In the case where the BoM wishes to offer these programmes, the following may require consideration:

• Securing expression of interest by parents
• Staffing for the programme - teachers and SNAs
• Staff interested in overseeing the programme
• School transport required
• Cleaning staff required
• Programme Plan
• Familiarise oneself with the portal for admin/payment of staff
• Statutory declaration forms
• Grant for additional daily expenses
• Child Protection policy and nominating DLP
• Risk assessment update to include summer programme
• Covid Response Plan

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