As reported by CYP Now, new research warns that the effects of pandemic lockdowns on children’s education will continue impacting schools for the next 10 years, with varying challenges across age groups
“The lingering effects of the pandemic are deep, widespread and persistent,” states a report commissioned by the Association for School and College Leaders (ASCL).
It highlights that the impact of Covid restrictions including lockdowns and school closures will hit schools in waves with impacts varying across different age groups.
The report’s author Tim Oates, director of assessment research and development at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, says: “While secondary schools are reporting an increase in reading difficulties among Year 7 pupils, poor personal organisation and challenging patterns of interaction, staff in primary schools are reporting very serious problems of arrested language development, lack of toilet training, anxiety in being in social spaces, and depressed executive function.”
The report cautions against assuming that schools are “back to normal” and warns that educational challenges will continue to unfold over the next five to 10 years as children whose early development was affected by the pandemic pass through school.
Oates adds that dealing with the impact of Covid-19 “will require protracted, grinding effort”.
He states: “An evidence-driven response requires strategy and resources co-designed by schools, unions and government.”
Pepe Di’Iasio, ASCL general secretary criticised the previous government for failing to properly invest in Covid recovery for children, highlighting a disparity in funding levels recommended by education recovery tsar Kevan Collins and that handed out by minsters which led to Collins leavings just months into the role.
He also highlighted the recent end to funding for theNational Tutoring Programme despite DfE’s own analysis showing benefits to the scheme.
Di’lasio said: “Unfortunately, the previous government failed to get to grips with this issue, ignoring recommendations from its own Education Recovery Commissioner for a substantial and ongoing package of support for children and young people. “Recently, it also withdrew funding from the National Tutoring Programme, one of the few initiatives it did take, and this decision has not been reversed by the new government to date. “Schools continue to see high rates of pupil absence and they have many pupils with complex needs. At the same time they are struggling with severe budget pressures, staff shortages and a special educational needs system on the brink of collapse. “We urge the new government to work with us on developing targeted, well-funded policies that respond to the challenges outlined in this report.”
A DfE spokesperson said: “We know the pandemic has had a profound impact on children’s development – and we are determined to break down barriers to opportunity and improve the life chances of all children.
“We’re also committed to providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, introducing free breakfast clubs in every primary school to increase attendance, and ensuring earlier intervention in mainstream schools for pupils with special needs.”
In July, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson reappointed former Covid recovery tsar Collins to DfE as a non-executive board member.
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