DfE Estimated Learning Loss report
The DfE ‘Understanding progress paper from the Autumn term of 2021’ highlights the estimated learning loss experienced by pupils due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used Renaissance Learning’s Star Reading and Star Maths assessments to estimate learning loss from the first lockdown any subsequent progress around catching-up over that time. The majority of the analysis focuses on a comparison between results on assessments carried out in the autumn term 2019/20 autumn term 2020/21.
The findings indicate that:
- The average learning loss for pupils was 1.8 months in Primary and 1.7 months in Secondary, however, there were some significant regional variations.
- School closures have led to widening of the disadvantage gap particularly in primary years, where those most affected included males, pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, EAL pupils and SEND pupils, who experienced less catch-up compared to the average.
- In reading, Primary pupils with SEND experienced a catch up of 0.4 months by Autumn 2020/21, but this remains less than the average for all Primary pupils at 0.6 months.
- Children and young people with SEND experienced learning loss in Primary for reading scores, but not in Secondary or in Mathematics.
The government have announced the first stage of the recovery plan funding to address some of this academic catch-up and hopefully this will be particularly targeted at those who have experience the greatest learning loss. The study was repeated over the Spring term and we await the findings from this.
