Only 42% of pupils returned their last piece of schoolwork, according to the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER).
Most teachers have said that pupils are doing less work than they expect. One in five children have completed no schoolwork during lockdown.
Why should schools be concerned? This blog post investigates.
30% of pupils in deprived areas are returning work
Among the most alarming findings of the report, it found that in the most deprived schools 70% of pupils are not returning work.
This compares to 51% in the most affluent schools.
Limited access to IT is the main reason for this, with a quarter of pupils having little or no internet access.
45% of pupil’s parents are also not engaged with home learning.
Addressing the disadvantage gap
John Hillman, Director of Education at the Nuffield Foundation:
The Government needs to ensure that all students have access to appropriate technology in their homes, and that teachers are fully supported in the coming months in addressing the disadvantage gap that is inevitably continuing to widen during the extended lockdown period.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT:
Disruption to full-time education could continue for some time yet. It cannot be right that some children miss out on part of their education for want of a computer.
It is essential that the Government act now to provide internet access and technology to the 700,000-plus children from disadvantaged backgrounds without a computer or connectivity, and close the digital divide.
The Government has pledged laptops and internet connectivity to pupils in need. You can find out more about the digital divide here.
Schoolwork: Only 17% of pupils put in more than four hours per day
A separate report, by the UCL Institute of Education found one in five pupils have sent less than one hour per day studying since March.
Only 17% have contributed more than four hours of work every day.
Pupils on average are spending 2.5 hours on education, it concluded.
Why are these issues occuring?
Along with digital poverty, a major issue is the Government had advised there to be “no expectation on learning” during the period.
Without attainment being enforced, students are absent from learning.
For more information on the importance on tracking attainment click here.
Another issue is engagement. Only 55% of parents are engaged with home learning.
By producing high-quality home education you can create a tailored learning programme in order to lead pupil engagement.
How EDLounge can help
EDLounge Group Ltd has a record of improving pupil attainment.
A tailored learning platform can help improve pupil progress. Online resources, quizzes and assessments are built into the system ensuring engagement for the learner.
Over 11,000+ lessons are available. Safeguarding is ensured with alert mechanisms, option to speak with teachers and eyes-on learning on EDClass+.
For more information call 01909 568 338.
