"Pandemic Affected Nearly All Children," Ofsted Annual Report Finds

The Chief Inspector’s Annual Report says that nearly all children and learners have been affected by the pandemic, with long-term consequences unknown.

• Good, well-structured, face-to-face education will help most children catch up
• Daily routines, and the return of sport and extra-curricular activities, will improve children’s mental and physical health
• Those requiring specialist care and support must not be left wanting
• Improvements that were in progress before the pandemic need to continue and other reforms must be taken forward urgently

The last year was a difficult period to be young, and a challenging time to be learning. The restrictions everyone had to live under brought hardships to many, but children and learners faced more than their fair share, Ofsted’s Annual Report finds.

While the long-term effects of school closures are not yet known, this year’s report says that nearly all children in England have suffered as a result of restrictions and repeated lockdowns. It warns that, as we look forward to the year ahead, it’s imperative that all parts of education and care systems are working to enable children of this generation to fulfil their potential.

The Annual Report provides a state of the nation view of education and children’s social care over the 2020 to 2021 academic year. During this period, much of Ofsted’s routine inspection work was suspended. Regulatory work continued however, and the inspectorate undertook monitoring and research visits to see first-hand how schools, colleges, nurseries, and social care providers were reacting and responding to the shifting situation brought about by the pandemic.

Ofsted found that, despite the best efforts and commitment of many thousands of parents, teachers, social workers and carers, the challenges of the pandemic were so great that nearly all children fell behind in their education, while some had a worse experience than others.

The report describes how:

• 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.
• 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.
• Vulnerable children, at risk of harm or neglect, disappeared from teachers’ line of sight, resulting in significantly lower levels of referrals to social care.
• Some children in care felt less safe due to lockdown restrictions and broken relationships with staff. In the worst cases, increased levels of anxiety led children to self-harm.
• 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.
• The development and progress of many of the youngest children were hampered, with some even regressing in basic language and social skills.
• 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.
• Prisoners seeking a second chance through education were unable to leave their cells to learn. Many lost motivation and floundered, especially those with learning difficulties, low levels of education or limited English.
• The Annual Report notes that, from education inspections carried out so far this term, Ofsted is beginning to see that schools and colleges with a well-planned and well-implemented curriculum are best placed to get children to where they need to be.

  The report also outlines systematic improvements and reforms that must now be taken forward in education and children’s social care, including:

• Long-standing lack of capacity in the care system, and variability in the support available for care leavers, must be tackled.

• The quality and consistency of teacher education must be improved to make sure that the new generation of teachers is set up for success in the classroom.

• Alternative provision must be reformed and the loopholes removed that allow much of it to avoid regulation and oversight.

• Legislation must be strengthened and Ofsted’s investigatory powers increased to allow inspectors to find and close illegal schools.

• Support for the most vulnerable children and those with SEND must rapidly return to pre-COVID levels. Partnerships working across local areas need to do better for the children who rely on them.

Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, said:

"The education and social care sectors have been under tremendous strain since the pandemic began, and their staff have worked tirelessly in children’s interests. Their efforts deserve the highest praise.

"But the challenges of COVID-19 were so great that nearly every child has felt the impact of the resulting restrictions. Many young children’s progress and development faltered. Primary and secondary age children had their education and social lives disrupted from being in and out of school, away from their teachers and classmates. Children with SEND were unable to access the local support services they rely on. Further education students and apprentices saw their placements curtailed and job prospects limited. And children in care suffered as long-term issues in the system were exacerbated by staff shortages and isolation measures.

"In order to protect older generations, we asked the youngest generation to put their lives and education on hold. As we look forward to the year ahead, we must strive to redress the balance. Every generation gets one chance to enjoy its childhood and fulfil its potential. We must do all we can to make sure this generation is not denied its opportunity."

Sussex

Figures show that during the period 2019 to 2020, over 6,000 children in East and West Sussex and Brighton & Hove were suspended from school.

• In the South East 32,205 children were suspended from secondary school 
• In Brighton & Hove, 745 children were suspended from secondary school 
• In East Sussex, 2,414 children were suspended from secondary school 
• In West Sussex, 3,014 children were suspended from secondary school 

In the Autumn term of 2020, 6% of children were absent from school in the South East due to covid-related reasons.

Commenting on Ofsted’s Annual Report, Stephen Long, Ofsted South East Director said:

“Today’s report highlights how the pandemic has affected nearly all children and young people. 

“Children in the South East and across the country have missed out on so much over these past 20 months.

"They have had their childhood and education put on hold to protect the older generation. Children only get one chance at school, so it’s really important that we redress the balance and make every effort to ensure they regain as much normality as possible and remain at school.

“Our return to inspections this term will help parents, government and the wider public understand how schools are managing the current situation and helping children catch up.”

Primary schools:

The report found as at August 31, 2021:

Out of 148 primary schools inspected in East Sussex, 93% were rated 'good' or 'outstanding'.

Of the 227 primary schools inspected in West Sussex, 86% were rated 'good' or 'outstanding'.

Of the 52 primary schools inspected in Brighton & Hove 88% were rated 'good' or 'outstanding'.

Secondary schools:

Of the 26 secondary schools inspected in East Sussex, 88% were rated 'good' or 'outstanding'.

Of the 39 secondary schools inspected in West Sussex, 87% were rated 'good' or 'outstanding'.

Of the 10 secondary schools inspected in Brighton & Hove 100% were rated 'good' or 'outstanding'.

Early years:

• In the South East, 97% of childminders were good or outstanding. This was broadly in line with the national figure of 96%. 
• For nurseries and pre-schools, 98% were rated good or outstanding. This was in line with the national figure.

Despite fewer inspections this year, due to restrictions, Ofsted says its regulatory and enforcement activity, including registration of new providers, continued.

All information in this article was provided by Ofsted.