Agenda item

This report summarises the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic two years after its first effects on BCP schools and examines the possible legacy in terms of: 

·       Attendance 

·       Pupil and staff mental health and well-being 

·       Academic progress and any learning deficits likely to continue. 

In addition, the paper asks Members to note the ongoing impact of the virus and recommends that they note and support the proposed approach to managing Long Covid, in the attached draft policy. 

The Service Manager Schools & Provider Standards 0-19 from the Education and Skills Directorate presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report summarised the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic two years after its first effects on BCP schools and examines the possible legacy in terms of: 

·       Attendance 

·       Pupil and staff mental health and well-being

·       Academic progress and any learning deficits likely to continue.

The Committee discussed the report and comments were made, including:

·       In response to a query about the differing impacts Covid could have had on young people, and could anything be done to track those most impacted, the Committee was advised that a lot of work had been done in this area and the suffering to children was what teachers and staff most cared about, close attention had been paid to Children in  Need, Children in Care, those with EHCPs, virtual school attendees and those who had been attending schools.  Schools had been provided with reports to show Ofsted what they had managed to do however it was noted that assessment and testing had continued as normal this year with no consideration given to the impacts highlighted above

·       The impact of long covid on pupils was also highlighted as having a negative impact on a child’s education as they needed time to rest.

·       The Committee was advised that communication with the Department for Education about what had been done and advised that education boards had done equality impact assessments but aside from placing exams further apart, not much further work had been done in this area

·       In response to a query from a Member of Youth Parliament regarding mental health issues and anxiety, the Committee was advised that most schools had a mentoring programme in place to support those children and it was acknowledged that it varied greatly on the impact Covid had had and therefore the support required to the pupils and their families.  It was noted that this support was being provided to children who sought it and by schools reaching out to children they felt were in need

·       The Committee was advised about the work done by the Children and Young People’s partnership board which focused on supporting pupils next steps in education and events to help improve self confidence in face to face interactions

·       The Committee was advised by an MYP of feedback from a forum about the differing support provided by schools and the possible link to pupil grades, the Committee was advised that over the last two years grades had not been an issue in schools and the unfairness in the system was highlighted and schools looked hard at what pupils were missing and were focused on education, mental health and wellbeing of pupils and staff.

·       In response to a concern about schools prioritising attendance and the issues that presented including achievable grades, university applications and job prospects, the Committee was advised that there was not a simple answer to this but that if someone came back to education to soon, it would have the opposite effect in the long run and this advice was being shared with the children, families and schools

·       In response to a concern about many teachers wishing to leave their profession due to the stress, the Committee was advised that there was already a recruitment crisis before Covid and that there was a labour shortage nationally in many professions.  It was noted that schools and their staff across BCP had received support from the community, BCP Council and its teams.  It was noted that working with mostly unvaccinated pupils increased their vulnerability which added pressure.  The Committee was advised of the work that was being done to recruit and support teachers across the conurbation.

The Chair summarised the discussions as follows:

·       A very complicated issue with many factors

·       Long covid

·       Mental health

·       Pressures on school and staff and support provided

RECOMMENDED that the Committee note the content of the report into the impact of the Covid pandemic on education in BCP and review, support and agree the draft Long Covid Recovery Attendance Policy which will then be shared as guidance and support for BCP schools. 

Voting: For - unanimous