ASCL comment on Ofsted’s Covid impact report

Commenting on Ofsted’s second report into the impact of the Covid pandemic, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“This report starkly shows the educational and emotional impact of school closures, and why we need to do everything possible to keep schools open amidst the turmoil caused by the Covid pandemic.

“Home learning is affected by far too many differing factors to be effective for all children. Some of these factors cut across all social groups, such as whether parents are available to support their children or have work commitments. While others particularly affect disadvantaged children, such as the availability of laptops.

“Home learning can never replicate the direct teaching, support, and socialisation which takes place in schools and benefits all pupils.

“It is therefore absolutely the right priority to keep education open during the second lockdown and beyond.

“However, the government isn’t doing enough to support schools and colleges to stay open because of its continued refusal to reimburse them for the huge costs involved in managing Covid safety measures and hiring supply cover when staff have to self-isolate. These costs are completely unsustainable and the government must act.”