NEWS Education recovery in schools in England
Children are generally making progress to recover the learning they lost during the COVID-19 pandemic following action taken by the Department for Education (DfE), but disadvantaged pupils remain further behind the expected level of attainment than other pupils, according to a new report by the National Audit Office (NAO).
The NAO’s report Education recovery in schools in England shows variation in how far and how quickly pupils have recovered learning. In summer 2021,
pupils were on average 2.2, 0.9 and 1.2 months behind the expected level of attainment in primary maths, primary reading and secondary reading respectively. This compared with 3.6, 1.8 and 1.5 months in autumn 2020. Learning loss for disadvantaged pupils has been consistently greater than for pupils overall and, as a result, the gap in attainment has grown since 2019. The disadvantage gap index (a measure of the difference in attainment between disadvantaged and other pupils) at the end of primary school was 3.23 in 2022, compared with 2.91 in 2019. Left unaddressed, lost learning may lead to increased disadvantage and significant missing future earnings for those affected.
Disruption to schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic led to lost learning for many pupils, particularly disadvantaged children. DfE’s response was to implement a £3.5 billion package of measures, extending across four academic years (2020/21 to 2023/24), to support education recovery in schools. The main interventions were: the National Tutoring Programme (NTP); and extra direct funding for schools in the form of the catch-up premium (a per-pupil funding allocation for all schools) in 2020/21 and the recovery premium (an allocation which for primary and secondary schools is based on the number of disadvantaged pupils they have) in subsequent years.
Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, said: “The Department for Education needed to take action to support pupils to make up the learning they lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and reach children who had been disproportionately affected by the disruption to schooling. “Despite the progress that is being made, it is concerning that learning loss for disadvantaged pupils remains greater than for other pupils. It is vital that the Department maintains its focus on education recovery in the coming years to help all children to catch up and to close the attainment gap between disadvantaged and other pupils.”
https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/education-recovery-in-schools-in- england/
Young writers invited to “Be the Change” with a new writing competition from musical ‘Wicked’ and the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust and the acclaimed stage musical Wicked, together with the award-winning author Sharna Jackson, invite UK schools to take part in a brand-new writing competition that challenges pupils to change our world for the better. Be the Change, inspired by the themes in one of the most well-known songs from the musical, For Good, challenges pupils aged 9 – 14 to write persuasively about something they want to change for the better in our society.
“With 1 in 3 children in England leaving primary school without being able to write well, Wicked Writers is a brilliant programme to engage children and young people with one of the most important skills they’ll need to thrive in life,” says Tim Judge, Head of Schools Programmes at the
National Literacy Trust. “But the competition also leads the way in showing pupils that writing can help you engage with your society. Whether it’s advocating for a cause you believe in on social media or writing a letter to your MP, Be the Change can start young writers on their journey of using writing to change something they passionately believe in.” A star-studded judging panel, including members of the Wicked cast and Sharna Jackson, will pick winners from each of two age categories who will win tickets for their entire class to see Wicked at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, a writing workshop with Sharna Jackson, and a bundle of books for their school’s library.
www.LiteracyTrust.org.uk/wicked-writers Girls shown the path into STEM careers at Ocean Infinity
Ocean Infinity, the Solent-based technology company innovating to find greener and safer ways of operating at sea, opened its doors on
Wednesday 25th January to girls from Oasis Mayfield and Bitterne Park School,
to find out more about the different careers available in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).
Working with the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Careers Hub, they invited girls from year 10 to look at their amazing facilities, which enabled students to absorb the state-of-the-art building, modern amenities, their green wall and outstanding Remote Control Centre.
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www.education-today.co.uk
Students spoke to various staff members about specific roles at Ocean Infinity and heard from each of them about their own career paths and experience. Staff gave ‘hints and tips’ on steps to a successful, long-term career. The message was about seeking out every opportunity and to not underestimate the networks around you, both personally and professionally. Brooke Hoskins, LEP Director and Skills Lead said: “Sadly, many girls don’t even consider careers in STEM, so it’s vital that businesses engage with girls through schools to profile STEM careers and for students to meet some of the women working in this sector every day. This was a perfect opportunity to highlight to secondary school students the amazing industries and careers available on their doorstep, here in the Solent region. “The Solent LEP’s Careers Hub connects businesses with schools and colleges across the Solent area and helps them ensure that their curriculum is relevant to the sector strengths of the economy, and the jobs that employers want filled. Encounters like these for pupils with innovative, technological businesses like Ocean Infinity, are key.”
https://solentlep.org.uk February 2023
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