Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need for catch-up classes for time missed from school during the COVID-19 pandemic; and what steps will they take to provide this.

Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the attainment and progress of all students is a key research priority for the government. We have commissioned an independent research and assessment agency to provide a baseline assessment of catch-up needs for pupils in schools in England and monitor progress over the course of the 2020/21 academic year. This research is based on assessments that schools are already using and adds no additional burden on teachers. Initial findings from the research are available in the attached report. We are currently exploring options to assess progress over the course of the current academic year.

Our latest evidence suggests that, in summer 2021, primary pupils were on average around one month behind in reading and around 3 months behind in maths compared to where we would expect them to be in a ‘normal year’. Secondary pupils were behind in their learning in reading by around 2 months.

Overall direct investment announced for education recovery is almost £5 billion. This includes £1.8 billion of funding announced in the last Spending Review to support young people to catch up on missed learning.

Our approach to recovery follows the evidence by providing universal support but also by targeting additional support at disadvantaged pupils, as well as older pupils with less time left in education. We are focusing on those interventions that have the greatest impact for pupils, especially on tutoring and teacher development, as well as direct recovery funding.