CYP Now - Education catch up plans across all UK nations 'do not go far enough'

Education catch up plans across all four UK nations offer insufficient support to pupils, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), a major report has warned.

Schools must focus on supporting disadvantaged children, researchers say. Picture: Adobe Stock

All four nations have put in place measures to help schools recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and boost attainment among disadvantaged pupils.

But an Education Policy Institute report says none of the plans fail go far enough to support pupils.

Scotland and England’s school catch up plans are “poorly targeted” and not focused at supporting the most disadvantaged pupils, the report states.

While Wales and Northern Ireland’s per pupil investment is significantly lower, although the EPI does acknowledge it is better targeted at poorer pupils.

Among the hardest hit amid the pandemic have been pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), especially in adapting to home schooling. However, the EPI warns that “all nations have failed to provide adequate guidance on supporting vulnerable pupils who have special educational needs with remote learning”.

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