, Labour’s Shadow
Education Secretary, responding to Ofsted’s annual
report: Education, Children’s Services and Skills 2020/21, said:
“As this report makes clear, children have needed the
government’s support and protection as they faced untold
disruption throughout the pandemic, but they have been let down.
“Boris Johnson promised to prioritise children’s recovery but
threw out his own catch-up chief’s proposals to help children
bounce back.
“Labour has set out an ambitious children's recovery plan which
prioritises every child’s wellbeing, with new activities
promoting social development, as well as their learning.
“The Conservatives have simply not risen to the scale of the
challenge. The Education Secretary must get a grip and match
Labour’s ambition by finally delivering a comprehensive recovery
plan which will ensure every child can reach their potential.”
Ends
Notes to editors
- In June, Labour published an ambitious Children’s Recovery Plan,
which would deliver much of what Ofsted have said is needed to
tackle the impacts of the pandemic:
o Breakfast clubs and new activities for
every child: from breakfast clubs to sport, music,
book clubs or drama societies, Labour’s plan would deliver an
expanded range of extracurricular clubs and activities to boost
time for children to play and socialise after months away from
their friends.
o Quality mental health support in every
school: give every child the support they need to
transition back to school and manage personal challenges, with
access to qualified in-school counselling staff alongside
boosting wellbeing through extra activities;
o Small group tutoring for all who need
it: make small group teaching available to all
children who need it, by reforming the Government’s failing
tutoring programme and supporting schools so no child misses out
due to the pandemic;
o Continued development for
teachers: Teachers have had one of the toughest
years of their careers – it is only by supporting them with
training to stay on top of the latest knowledge and techniques
that we can give every child a brilliant classroom experience;
o An Education Recovery
Premium: support every child, including children
with SEND, to reach their potential by investing in children who
have faced the greatest disruption during the pandemic from early
years to further education, and double the Pupil Premium for
children in key transition years, delivering additional support
for children who need it most.
o The loss of education, disrupted routine, and lack
of activities led some children to develop physical and mental
health problems. Loneliness, boredom and misery became endemic
among the young. Daily routines, and the return of sport and
extra-curricular activities, will improve children’s mental and
physical health.
o Children with special educational needs and/or
disabilities (SEND) had additional barriers to overcome as many
were unable to access the support they rely on.
o The development and progress of many of the
youngest children were hampered, with some even regressing in
basic language and social skills.
- Long-standing pressures on care placements grew, with long
waiting lists and children being placed far from their
families, or in unregistered homes.
- Some children attending alternative provision became
involved in criminal activity, including gang violence, and
were at risk of child sexual exploitation.
o The further education and skills sector was hit
particularly hard. Many apprentices found themselves furloughed,
or out of work altogether. And the number of learners
experiencing significant mental health problems or safeguarding
concerns increased.
- Good, well-structured, face-to-face education will help
most children catch up.
