ASCL comment on Ofsted chief inspector’s annual report launch

Responding to Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman’s comments, in launching her annual report, on the plight of vulnerable children, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“Schools worked very hard to reach out to families with vulnerable children and bring these pupils into the emergency provision in schools during the first national lockdown.

“But it was an incredibly difficult task to persuade many of these families to send in children at the height of the pandemic and with most other children remaining at home.

“Schools have been highly focused on addressing any problems with the wellbeing of students since full reopening in September, and they are very relieved to have vulnerable pupils back in school where they can make sure they have the support they need.

“Amanda Spielman is highlighting an important issue, and we agree with the need for all agencies to work together, but it would help a great deal if schools and local authorities had not been cut to the bone by years of government underfunding.”