English Pupils Lag Behind Peers After Lockdown, Says Watchdog

Achievement gap greater with children from disadvantaged backgrounds after COVID-19 school closures

Children walk home from Altrincham C.E. aided primary school after the government's policy to close all schools from today due to the coronavirus pandemic in Altrincham, UK, on March 20, 2020. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Disadvantaged school children in England are falling behind their peers owing to the lingering impact of COVID-19 lockdowns, a new report states.

The National Audit Office (NAO) found loss of learning for children from disadvantaged backgrounds was not only “consistently greater,” but could lead to “increased disadvantage and significant lost earnings,” if not addressed.