Some children forgot how to hold a pencil and others have been left at least six months behind due to lockdown schooling, it has emerged, as KCC announces an "ambitious" plan to get youngsters back on track.

The education authority will provide extra help until August 2022.

Hayley King is the headteacher at Tiger Primary in Maidstone

So far a government grant of £5.3 million has been secured to provide food and holiday activity support to children across the county during the Easter, summer and Christmas 2021 breaks.

In her latest report in December Ofsted's chief inspector Amanda Spielman said some children could be at least six months behind where they should be and had lost skills such as being able to hold a pencil.

Since then homeschooling was extended until last Monday.

It comes as youth unemployment has risen in Kent from 4.4% in January 2020 to 9.5% in January 2021.

At KCC's cabinet meeting yesterday, the 10 councillors unanimously agreed to deliver a "universally-accessible" support scheme, spearheaded by David Adams, who is Reconext Programme Director.

KCC's cabinet member for children services, Cllr Sue Chandler (Con), said: "I hope this will give all young people an inspirational and aspirational activity trail for the next year that helps them towards a better and brighter future."

Initial ideas include libraries running book clubs, country parks being venues for outdoor learning and leisure centres being available to children and young people for free or at a reduced rate.

The government has also announced extra funding to support academic catch up sessions in the summer, including promoting the use of sports facilities and charity groups.

KCC's corporate director for education, Matt Dunkley, has called on cross-community support to help with the county-wide effort.

He said: "We need every part of the community and public sector to pull together and give a year of support for children.

"We are in a position at KCC to play conductor of an orchestra, but we need instruments from all over Kent to put together a tune that will appeal to young people. We are at the beginning of this process."

"I hope this will give all young people an inspirational and aspirational activity trail for the next year that helps them towards a better and brighter future."

Meanwhile, KCC's main opposition leader, Cllr Rob Bird (Lib Dem), has given his support, but wants to ensure that all children receive help equally.

He told the County Hall cabinet: "We must remember what universal means. It means KCC must ensure full provision throughout the county of Kent. "

Further updates will likely be provided after the local elections on May 7.

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