In Antwerp, the summer schools of the Municipal Education system have opened their doors. Until 22 August, eight schools will welcome a total of around 600 pupils to work on (primarily) their language skills.
The summer schools in Antwerp are an initiative that originated during the first coronavirus summer, in 2020, because many pupils were struggling with learning deficits in the run-up to the new school year. As the need persisted, the project became structural in nature. The municipal summer schools are a “closed offer”: pupils are selected in advance by care coordinators, specifically targeting children with significant learning or care needs.
This year, 600 pupils were divided into groups with 60 teachers in eight summer schools. The focus is once again on language skills, primarily reading. International research shows that you can already make good learning gains in this area in just ten days of lessons, according to the organisers. There is also an hour of sport planned.
This year's lessons revolve around the central theme of Antwerp art and culture. In collaboration with art teachers, a thematic programme has been developed in which language development goes hand in hand with creative expression. The pupils not only discover Antwerp art and culture, they also create their own works of art.
