Commenting on an Ofsted report published today (Tuesday 10 November 2020) which looks at the impact of Covid-19 on children and warns that leaders across education and social care are concerned over budgets, James Bowen, director of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“School budgets were already incredibly tight. The government’s refusal to recognise the financial difficulties schools are now facing due to Covid-19 and fully reimburse them for the money they have been required to spend to make schools safe, means that not only is money being taken away from children’s education and wellbeing, it could push some schools over the edge financially.

“It will be some time before will know the true extent of the impact of the current crisis on pupils’ learning, and it is clear that the effects will go on for some time yet. However, it comes as no surprise that school leaders are reporting that the last nine months have had a negative impact on many pupils. What is needed now is a multi-professional approach to ensure every child gets the support they need, and a government that is prepared to support those families and pupils that have been hardest hit.”

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