Commenting as the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) today (Friday 1st July 2021) publish new findings from a study examining the impact of Covid-19 related disruption on Key Stage 1 pupils’ attainment, Nick Brook, deputy general secretary of school leaders' union, NAHT, said:

"This is important new research that illuminates the deep impact of Covid on children’s learning. Whilst the government has prevaricated and dithered, teachers and leaders have just got on with the job, working tirelessly to help all children and young people recover from the impacts of the pandemic. Yet they need proper support to do so.

"The government declined to fund Sir Kevan Collins’ suggested catch-up plan on the grounds that it was too expensive. He, and almost every other education expert worthy of the name, has pointed out that the real expense is not investing in the education of those children who have lost months of learning due to the pandemic.

"NAHT has produced a blueprint for recovery, which makes seven recommendations for government, including greater investment across the entire school system."