“After schools shut their gates on Friday afternoon they will remain closed until further notice. This will be for all children, except for those of key workers and for children who are the most vulnerable.” 

So said former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson on Wednesday 18th March 2020.  

Most pupils eventually returned to school in September of that year after six months out of the classroom, only for more closures to follow in January 2021. 

Even though many pupils have now been at school since March last year, absence rates have remained higher than usual and the research studies outlining the scale of ‘learning loss’ have continued to pile up. 

As we’ve reached the end of another challenging academic year, we thought now was a good time to reflect on the various plans and initiatives that have tried to counter the effects of the pandemic. 

Do we know what impact two and a half years of disruption has had on children and young people? What measures has the government put in place during the pandemic to prevent pupils from falling behind, and were they the right measures? And what needs to happen in the next academic year starting in September to make sure that the COVID recovery effort stays on track?  

To discuss these important questions, I’m joined today by Professor Becky Francis, the Chief Executive of the Education Endowment Foundation,  

And Professor Simon Burgess from the University of Bristol. 

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