Responding to School attendance rates across the UK since full
reopening, an analysis by the Education Policy Institute (EPI),
Avis Gilmore, Deputy General Secretary of the National Education
Union, said:
“It is clear from this latest analysis that has much to
do if he is to make good on his promise to support every child
through lockdown and beyond, as well as vulnerable pupils and
those with SEND.
“Recent weeks have seen high numbers of pupils and staff having
to isolate as a result of Covid cases in their school. In spite
of the National Education Union calling on Government for several
weeks to prepare for this outcome, no substantial plan B for
remote learning was forthcoming. What little advice there was
finally appeared on the bank holiday weekend in late August,
which points to Government incompetence at best and
irresponsibility at worse.
“The EPI’s analysis shows, unsurprisingly, that higher income
families are better positioned to make home learning work. The
Government was keen to appear as heroes of disadvantaged pupils
during the summer, but the evidence to the contrary has been
mounting. Setting aside the disgraceful decision not to proceed
with free school meals during autumn term, we also saw last week
the rationing of laptops for those who need them while at the
same time imposing a legal duty on schools to provide remote
learning. This doubles the difficulties faced by disadvantaged
children and young people when trying to access learning.
“This in turn raises further concerns about the viability of
exams in 2021. It is clear from this report that the differing
impacts of Covid on students across the country will mean that
the current plan, of exams on the full content in most subjects,
will not take place on a level playing field. With every
announcement of worsening case counts around the country, not to
mention each new case of an outbreak in a school, the chances of
every student getting a fair grade fade ever further away. We
need much more than a three-week delay, and that is why we are
calling on to rethink
his totally inadequate plan which right now is letting everyone
down, staff and students alike.”
