Commenting on a new paper by the Institute for Government (IfG) examining the government's handling of education during the Covid pandemic, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“This report highlights many of the frustrations school leaders felt during the pandemic. It is a testament to the determination of school leaders that they continued to deliver education, completely reinventing how almost overnight. Schools become “the” trusted space outside of healthcare delivering food, advice and practical assistance to communities on top of their education mission.

“I have never understood the failure to make contingencies for exams in the face of the obvious risk and whole profession calling for them. This report exposes the sadness of the profession over the failures; it is certainly not an “I told you so moment for us”. Yesterday NAHT called for clarity and contingencies for the 2022 exam series to be published by the start of term. Let’s see if the government shares the same appetite to lean that our young people do.

“On results day we will see how phenomenally successful our schools have been in the face of all odds and how ambitious and adaptable young people have been. Both should be congratulated but I fear the day will be spent picking over the bones in search of a political defence or attack rather than caring about young people. For me that kind of underlines the problem.

“It really is time to invest in education, not just money but commitment, evidenced based decisions and trust.”