Do children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, lose knowledge and skills acquired at school during the summer holidays?

That is the question one Kent County Council employer is asking, who has won a national award for his plan to tackle the educational impact of child poverty during the school break.

Rob Comber, a service development manager in the council’s Children, Young People and Education directorate, impressed judges with his Summer Slide project, which is designed around a concept known as Summer Learning Loss, which explores the theory that some children, in particular those from disadvantaged backgrounds, lose knowledge and skills during the lengthy break from school.

The 35-year-old was crowned winner of the 10th annual LGA (Local Government Association) Local Government Challenge after beating nine other competitors.

Mr Comber, who lives near West Malling, has been awarded a £10,000 Bruce-Lockhart Scholarship to now get his project off the ground.

The late Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart was the Conservative leader of Kent County Council from 1997 to 2005 and a former chairman of the Local Government Association. The prize was awarded by Lord Bruce-Lockhart’s widow, Lady Tess Bruce-Lockhart.

The first phase of Mr Comber’s project will involve working with four primary and four secondary schools and Kent Youth County Council to discover the extent of the impact of Summer Learning Loss in Kent.

If a summer education enrichment programme is then deemed necessary, a summer school will be designed by both young people and teachers.

It will be delivered by inspiring, high-achieving post-16 students under the supervision of Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) and trainee teachers, who will be coached by more experienced teachers.

The summer school could cater for about 90 pupils, aged nine to 13, with the potential for more schools if it is successful.

The father-of-two said: “The summer education enrichment programme is for those children and families who feel the pain of poverty on a daily basis. It will focus on education but will be delivered in a creative way.

“Young people will be able to work on passion projects, doing something they are passionate about that will make a difference to their community, such as establishing a community shop or hosting a football tournament. The summer schools will include music, art, sport and outdoor learning and pupils will have the opportunity to focus on using STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) across their projects.

“We will work with schools to look at how to ensure children and young people see the summer school as a reward, rather than a criticism of them. As they will be designed by young people it should feel like something other young people want to do."

Vulnerable families who could benefit from taking part in Mr Comber's planned project will be identified and targeted through partnership working with schools.

Eventually, Mr Comber hopes to work with other agencies to provide free food to children who would receive free school meals during term time.

KCC leader, Paul Carter, was on the Local Government Challenge judging panel. He said: “Rob's presentation, stand and project were outstanding and he was a much-deserved winner.

"We look forward to seeing his project come to life and the outcomes it brings for disadvantaged children.”