£140m Strategic School Improvement Fund to focus on literacy and numeracy

The Education Secretary Justine Greening has announced a series of measures to tackle inequality and improve opportunities for young people across the country.

Research shows that five-year-old children who struggle with language are six times less likely to reach the expected standard in English at age 11 then children who have has good language skills at five, and ten times less likely to achieve the expected level in maths.

To help tackle this, Greening announced the latest round of the £140 million Strategic School Improvement Fund, which will include a new focus on boosting literacy and numeracy skills in Reception year.

Greening also set out details of a new national network of English hubs with a specific focus on improving early language and literacy – starting with £12m in the north.

There will be a £6 million further investment to expand Maths Hubs to more challenging areas, spreading excellence in maths teaching.

A £5 million investment to trial evidence-based home learning environment (HLE) support programmes in the north of England, which focus on early language and literacy, was also announced.

There are also plans to transform alternative provision so that no pupils outside of mainstream education are left behind.