Comment
Wednesday 26 May 2021
Responding to the NAHT’s Blueprint for a stronger and fairer system for all, Carole Willis, the chief executive of the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) said:
“We welcome this paper, particularly the 12 guiding principles on education recovery.
“Having undertaken extensive research into the impacts of the pandemic on schools and children, we have highlighted the importance of a significant and sustained programme of recovery.
“This must go beyond academic learning to encompass measures that address children’s mental health needs and their wellbeing. It must also extend beyond primary and secondary schools as young people leave school and require support from further education (FE), higher education (HE) and employers to address the challenges they have also experienced over the last 18 months.
“The government’s recovery strategy must address the financial pressures resulting from Covid and ensure there is support from the profession for their proposals.
“We have reported on the big increase in the numbers training to be teachers, but there is no room for complacency. The increase in teacher supply may be short-lived if it is not accompanied by appropriate pay, support and professional development – particularly after such a challenging year.
“Above all, the NAHT is right to call for an ambitious programme for education - one which not only enables children to ‘recover’, but which sets in train a long-term and evidence-based programme to close the disadvantage gap, enable all schools to move from good to great, and all children and young people to achieve their potential.”