FEATURE FOCUS: FUNDING
All about English Hubs – how to access up to £9,000 of literacy funding
Have you heard about English Hubs? Originally part of the DfE’s social mobility action plan, English Hubs were created to help achieve success in reading for every primary school pupil. The Accelerator Fund supports the continuation and growth of the English Hubs Programme, enabling even more schools to embed high quality phonics teaching and benefit from the intensive support and access to literacy specialists.
Between now and the end of the Summer Term 2023, all state funded schools that meet the government criteria have the opportunity to apply and unlock up to £9,000 of specialist literacy funding to directly benefit learners. So, let’s take a deep dive into what the hubs are – and how they can help your pupils thrive, both now and into their adult lives.
What are English Hubs? I
n our first feature this month looking at various aspects of school funding, we are delighted to hear from Nicola Romaine, Primary Literacy Advisor for Pearson, who looks at English Hubs – what they are, how you can access the funding associated with them, and the resources you can get with that funding.
English Hubs were established in September 2018 by the DfE to encourage a love of reading among pupils, and boost literacy levels nationwide. There are currently 34 hubs in England, covering an area from Trenance on the Cornish coast to Durham in the North-East. Each one offers “support to local schools, academies and free schools to improve the teaching of phonics, early language and reading in Reception and Year 1.” All English Hubs are made up of a Hub Lead as well as Literacy Specialists, who work closely with local schools and settings to: • Showcase events that promote language,
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www.education-today.co.uk phonics and a love of reading
• Help develop school action plans • Conduct reading audits where eligible • Fund additional training and resources • Offer six days of targeted support from a Literacy Specialist.
What funding can schools access through English Hubs?
Before the end of the Summer Term 2023, all state funded schools that haven’t already done so, can apply for up to £9,000 towards resources and training. Thousands of schools could benefit from the support on offer to provide excellent teaching in phonics and early language, with a focus on helping every child succeed with reading, whatever their ability or background. All state-funded schools are eligible for funding, that includes infant schools, primary schools, junior schools, special schools and pupil referral units (PRUs) with primary school-aged children. The amount of funding a school can access depends on where they are located. In March 2022, the government identified 24 Priority Education Investment Areas (PEIAs), ranging from the North Yorkshire Coast to West Somerset. Schools and settings which fall within these areas can claim up to the full amount of £9,000 for resources and training. Schools in Education Investment Areas (EIAs) – like the Isle of Wight and Bolton, to name two examples – can claim up to £6,000 in funding,
April 2023
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