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Some 2,000 new summer schools running across England will attempt to put 65,000 poorer children on an "equal footing" with their wealthier peers, according to Nick Clegg.

The deputy prime minister said the "brain training" camps would help struggling primary pupils make a good start at secondary this September.

The schools are being funded by £50 million targeted at disadvantaged pupils. They will focus on literacy and numeracy, and art, music and sport. There will also be sessions to help youngsters get to know their new teachers.

Mr Clegg said: "This is £50m worth of extra brain training giving tens of thousands of disadvantaged pupils a flying start at secondary school. It's two weeks in the summer holidays where pupils can catch up on learning and get to grips with life in secondary school - in short, get in the starting blocks ready for the off in September.”

Many pupils find the move to secondary school daunting, which can lead to a dip in their performance that they never make up, according to the government. Its research shows students eligible for free school meals regularly under-perform.