The Education Policy Institute has published its report, “Education reopening and catch-up support across the UK”. It found that all education recovery plans are “insufficient”.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“The government must have a long-term plan for evidence-based education recovery, not short-term catch-up ideas such as add-ons to the school day. High-quality of teaching is the most important driver of educational equity, and the best contribution the government could make is to value and invest in the teaching profession.

“Now is the time for the government to give staff who are considering leaving, a reason to stay in the teaching profession, and alongside this must be a boost to investment in high-quality professional development. And the Department for Education must incentivise and reward those teaching in the most disadvantaged communities, while the government looks beyond the school gates to determine how to improve life chances for young people.

“While we should capitalise on the online innovations that have happened during lockdown and which can support homework in future, the biggest limitation of online learning throughout the pandemic has been, and remains, the lack of access to internet connections and devices. Schools and pupils need the funding and resources to overcome these obstacles.”

Press and Media contacts:

Steven George
NAHT Head of Press and Media
01444 472886
07970 907730

Rose Tremlett 
Senior Press Officer 
07545 354363

Email : press.office@naht.org.uk