Responding to a new research from Ofsted on early years education, including its report Strong Foundations in the First Years of School, James Bowen, assistant general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, said:

"Ofsted is right to highlight that primary schools are still feeling the effects of the pandemic. It’s important to remember that many children currently in Key Stage 1 will have missed out on important pre-school experiences due to Covid and will have experienced major disruption to their early education.

"While curriculum choices made by teachers are obviously important, this is only one part of a much bigger picture. The previous government’s failure to invest properly in Covid recovery and the decimation of crucial early support services has meant that young children who need extra support often struggle to access it.

"If we are to ensure that every child is able to thrive at the start of primary school, then it’s vital that they receive the specialist support they need as early as possible.

"The recently launched curriculum review also offers an opportunity to look carefully at the appropriateness of the Key Stage 1 curriculum and to ask whether or not it meets the needs of all pupils.”