- Ofsted’s second report into the impact of the pandemic finds
that children who were hardest hit by school closures and
restrictions have regressed in some basic skills and learning
- Some young children, who were previously potty-trained, have
lapsed back into nappies, particularly those whose parents were
unable to work flexibly
- Older children have lost stamina in their reading and
writing, some have lost physical fitness, others show signs of
mental distress, including an increase in eating disorders and
self-harm
- Concerns remain about children who were out of sight during
school closures, with falling referrals to social care teams
raising fears that domestic neglect, exploitation or abuse is
going undetected.
Ofsted has today published its second report in a series looking
at the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across the sectors it
inspects and regulates, from early years and children’s social
care, through to post 16 education.
The report finds that some children, of all ages and backgrounds,
have lost some basic skills and learning as a result of school
closures and restrictions on movement.
Ofsted carried out more than 900 visits to education and social
care providers during September and October. These visits are not
judgemental and do not result in an inspection grade. Instead,
they are a way for inspectors to hear how providers are coping
with this challenging start to the new academic year.
Overwhelmingly, leaders and managers have said they find the
visits helpful and constructive.
Today, five reports have been published from the visits,
reflecting on the experiences of leaders working in schools,
further education and skills, early years, social care and
Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND).
A commentary from HM Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, published
alongside the reports, says that children and learners have
slipped back in their learning to varying degrees since the first
national lockdown in March. Some have coped well in the face of
restrictions, while others have been particularly hard hit
largely because of the interplay between their circumstances and
the impact of the pandemic.
Inspectors found children’s experiences weren’t necessarily
determined by privilege or deprivation. Rather, those who are
coping well have good support structures around them and have
benefited from quality time spent with families and carers. This
includes children from all backgrounds, including those within
the care system, some of whom who saw relationships with carers
improve.
However, among children who were greatly impacted by school
closures and other restrictions, basic skills and learning have
regressed. For example, some young children whose parents were
unable to work more flexibly, and who experienced less time with
parents and other children, have lapsed back into nappies, while
others have forgotten how to eat with a knife and fork, or lost
their early progress in numbers and words.
Among older children, inspectors heard that many now lack stamina
in reading and writing; some have lost physical fitness; and
others are showing signs of mental distress, manifesting in an
increase in eating disorders and self-harm.
Across all age groups, children with SEND have been seriously
affected in both their care and education, as the services that
families relied on - particularly speech and language services -
were unavailable.
Inspectors found that senior leaders across the board are working
more intensively than ever and showing remarkable resilience.
However, leaders across education and social care expressed their
concerns over budgets. Covering for staff absences and
maintaining enhanced cleaning regimes are pushing up costs in
schools and children’s homes. These concerns are compounded in
early years and further education by worries over income streams.
Ofsted also continues to be worried about the children who were
out of sight during the closure of schools. Referrals to social
care teams have fallen and have not returned to more typical
levels since schools have reopened. This raises concerns that
domestic neglect, exploitation or abuse is going undetected.
Ofsted’s first report, published last month, found that around a
third of the schools visited had seen an increase in children
being educated at home. Today’s report finds that this remains a
concern, with around a half of schools visited seeing an increase
in home schooling. School leaders reported that this was being
motivated by parents’ fears about the virus, rather than their
committed desire to home educate.
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman
said:
“We have now entered a second national lockdown. This time, at
least, schools, colleges and nurseries are to remain open. That
is very good news indeed. The impact of school closures in the
summer will be felt for some time to come – and not just in terms
of education, but in all the ways they impact on the lives of
young people.
“As it was in the first lockdown, the work of teachers, social
workers and carers, with the support of parents, will again be
critical to the future success and happiness of our children.”
Ofsted’s programme of visits will continue remotely during the
current lockdown, and further reports will be published in
December.
