- Ofsted publishes first reports on how schools and children’s
homes are addressing the needs of children at this time
- Research finds that schools are working hard to help children
catch up with their learning and homes are finding new ways to
support children
- Parental anxiety about safety seems to be behind an increase
in the numbers opting to home-school their children
- Schools are dealing with misinformation and myths about how
they should approach COVID security
Ofsted has today published the first report in a new series of
briefings looking at how schools are managing pupils’ return to
education under the current COVID-19 restrictions.
The report is based on 121 pilot visits to schools across England
carried out last month. It finds that school leaders are working
hard to make sure pupils are catching up with their education in
difficult circumstances.
Inspectors found that some schools have returned to teaching all
subjects straight away, while others are taking a gradual
approach to reintroducing foundation subjects such as modern
foreign languages and geography. In primary schools, there has
been a focus on reading, as the foundation for wider learning.
Misinformation and myths, often from social media, about the
different approaches taken to prevent transmission of the virus
are causing confusion and parental anxiety, despite school
leaders’ efforts to meet government guidelines. Over a third of
the schools visited reported an increase in the number of
children being removed from the school and home educated.
Schools are planning how to remotely educate pupils who cannot
attend in person. As well as logistical challenges, the research
highlighted the need to align remote learning with the classroom
curriculum to maintain progression, when pupils are isolating
away from school.
In the 70 children’s homes visited for the research, staff have
worked hard to maintain an environment that is COVID secure,
while keeping children’s spirits up. Where restrictions allowed
for it, staff continued to facilitate children’s visits to
friends, and contact with families, often making use of
technology to do so.
In a commentary highlighting the findings from the two reports,
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman said:
“We have been hearing directly from the leaders of schools and
children’s homes, so we can help others understand what’s being
achieved in extraordinary circumstances – whether that’s parents,
other professionals working in these fields, or the government.
“Strong leadership and committed staff are key to making the best
of this challenging time. The member of staff at a children’s
home who isolated with a child who was displaying COVID-19
symptoms so they did not feel alone, stands out. But so does the
determination, expressed by many of the school leaders we spoke
to, that the pupils currently under their care and guidance must
not come to be defined as ‘the COVID generation’. They deserve
much more than that.”
Ends
Notes to editors
- In November, Ofsted will broaden its
reports to cover visits made in October to all the sectors it
inspects and/or regulates: schools, further education, early
years providers and social care. The reports will also include
consideration of services for children with special educational
needs and disabilities (SEND).
