THE principal of Maldon's Plume Academy has welcomed news that plans to invest £1.5 million in education recovery following the pandemic have been put together under the leadership of an expert in the field.

Essex County Council (ECC) announced yesterday (Thursday, 1 July) that its newly-formed Essex Education Task Force - independently chaired by nationally respected educationalist Roy Blatchford CBE - will use £1 million in a package of measures to support the development of reading skills. The plan is to focus support on those children and young people who have missed out on learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Marked by the launch of a new campaign, Essex Year of Reading 2022, the group's aim is to ensure that every Essex child leaves school able to read at their age level or better.

In addition, the task force plans to invest £500,000 into mental health and emotional wellbeing support. This include the following:

-providing transition coaches for vulnerable children in the move from primary to secondary school

-providing £100,000 to the voluntary sector for summer and half-term holiday outdoor learning for students who are vulnerable, disabled or have learning needs

-investment in early years' language development.

Responding to the news, Plume Academy's Executive Principal, Carl Wakefield, said: "Like most school leaders I'm sure, this announcement by the recently formed 'Essex Education Task Force' is welcomed on a number of fronts, including the fact that it has been comprised by trusted, experienced colleagues who know the current and latest demographics and intricacies of our profession.

"Therefore, all of their many discussions have without doubt been based on relevant topics as well as the current holistic educational needs of the school aged children of Essex.

"What they have announced makes absolute sense and will definitely make an impact and positively contribute towards assisting students across all key stages. It will also aim to support school leaders which I'm sure will be well-received by many in such a position across the county.

Mr Wakefield added: "It certainly seems like a plan much more in touch with the general picture across the county and therefore, much more relevant and in turn, likely to positively impact unlike most of the Government schemes and programmes which are often devised by those who are far away from the educational 'chalk face' or who have never seen it other than when they were at school.

"On behalf of Plume Academy, thank you to Mr Ray Blatchford and all involved in producing such a well thought out and considered programme."