Every parent must be concerned about the impact of lockdowns and school closures on their children’s education. There is evidence that the attainment gap is widening and that it is the poorest children will be the ones to suffer the most.
In February 2021 we gathered to share our thoughts and reflections about the effects of the pandemic on education. Our discussions followed some input from S. Moira, which can be seen by clicking the button below:
The following articles give more information about the growing inequalities in the UK and also what the government is proposing to do about it.
The Conversation is an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered direct to the public. “The government has made it a legal duty for schools to provide remote teaching, but the burdens currently placed on schools – which are expected to provide remote teaching as well as face-to-face instruction for the children of key workers – makes this task extremely difficult. Remote teaching provided by schools increased home learning for all students. However, pupils from unprivileged families spent considerably less time on home learning than their privileged peers.” To read more click on the following link:
House of Lords library article As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government closed schools for the majority of pupils for several months. Concerns have been raised that during this time the educational attainment gap would increase. This article discusses the issue and what the Government has done in response.
Covid-19 and the educational attainment gap – House of Lords Library (parliament.uk)
The Sutton Trust works to improve the educational and life chances of children from birth to the workplace so that every young person – no matter who their parents are, what school they go to, or where they live – has the chance to succeed in life.
New Sutton Trust research highlights challenges facing parents and teachers.
- 40% of middle-class children undertaking over five hours of schoolwork a day, compared to 26% of those in working class households.
- Parents on lower incomes more likely than those on higher incomes to be finding second lockdown more difficult than first (28% vs 15%).
- Teachers at the least affluent state schools likelier than those in more affluent state schools to report a lower standard of work than expected (55% vs 41%)
To read more click on the link below:
Poorer pupils struggling most in second period of school closures – Sutton Trust