Catch-up strategies may include regular, informal assessments; identifying pupils who need additional, one-one support; prioritising practical work that wasn’t possible via remote learning; and recapping the previous year’s curriculum to cover what had been missed.
Although everyone within the educational industry have been working hard to enable children to be back on track with their education, Ofsted inspections have proven that concerns in attendance still remain. School have provided reasons such as.
Schools have also reported that the majority of COVID absences have been among disadvantaged pupils, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Due to numerous lockdowns, children newly entering schools are arriving with lower starting points compared to previous years. These children are struggling to adapt to school life and are experiencing behavioural issues towards learning, causing them to have difficulties in settling in.
Ofsted have found that early year’s pupils are struggling most with social and emotional communication between each other due to a lot of children being born within the pandemic. Child carers are focusing on developing their language and communication skills between other children to help build the bridge of social and emotional skills.
Ofsted have found that there is still disruption of education for further educational students. Interruptions of learning have been caused by COVID absences, falls in numbers of learners on courses, gaps in students’ practical skills and their English & Maths. Mental Illness is also a high concern for students and many are struggling to return to face-to-face learning.
Inspectors have found that in order to help learners catch-up. Providers are repeating elements of courses; offering individual support to develop specific skills; prioritise practical teaching. A number of providers have developed new programmes to support those who have lost their jobs or wanting to change careers due to COVID, enabling them to have the skills and knowledge for re-employment.
For more information, please visit the Ofsted website found here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/schools-adapt-teaching-to-help-children-catch-up-but-covid-related-absence-remains-a-concern
