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Children hardest hit by COVID-19 daycare and school closings are regressing in basic skills like using a knife and fork, according to Ofsted.
In a series of reports, the government’s education watchdog says children have fallen behind in math and are struggling with literacy, while school leaders have reported an increase in older students self-injuring or suffering. of eating disorders.
“We have now entered a second national lockdown. This time, at least, schools, universities and day care centers will remain open. That is really very good news,” said Ofsted Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman.
“The impact of school closings 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 the lives of young people.”
The report on the effects of pandemic it is based on more than 900 visits to education and welfare providers across England during September and October.
It suggests that some toilet-trained children, whose parents were unable to work more flexibly in confinement, have returned to early-year settings using diapers and pacifiers at an older age than expected by providers.
The inspectors found that children’s experiences were not necessarily determined by privilege or deprivation. In contrast, children who are coping well have good support structures around them.
Public relations consultant Gemma Birbeck says she had to teach her 11-year-old son Lewis how to make friends again. “My son was isolated from people for so long and it affected his ability to socialize. We had to explain to him how to talk to new people and make friends.
“The problem is that they are only allowed to socialize within their bubbles, so if you don’t find friends with similar personalities, you run the risk of feeling lonely or worse harassment.”
The Ofsted report also highlights that school leaders are concerned about their budgets, as covering staff absences is increasing costs.
Elroy Cahill says the pandemic has stretched school budgets and raised costs
Elroy Cahill, head of Kingsley Academy in West London, said the school spent the entire year budget on staffing before the October semester.
“It has certainly been a challenge trying to cover for those absent colleagues. And there is an associated cost, of course that is associated with that,” he told Sky News.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said: ‘We know that some children need additional support to catch up as a result of the pandemic, so we launched a £ 1 billion COVID recovery fund for schools to support children who do. they need.
The latest Ofsted report suggests that about half of the schools visited by inspectors in the past month have now seen an increase in homeschooling, which principals say has been motivated by families’ anxiety about COVID. -19 rather than because homeschooling had gone well during the first one. emergency shutdown.
