Education Recovery in Schools

Public Accounts Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 20 Jan 2023 Closed: 24 Sep 2023 Parliament page
The disruption to schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic led to learning loss, particularly in certain parts of the country and among children with special educational needs and disabilities, and disadvantaged children. In response to the loss of learning the Department for Education (DfE) developed various catch-up learning initiatives for the … Read more
6 Recommendations
23 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
1 Letter
1 Event
Activity timeline 5 events
24 Sep
2023
Report published
7 Jun
2023
Report published
17 Apr
2023
Correspondence
9 Mar
2023
Oral evidence
9 Mar
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
9 Mar 2023
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Education recovery in schools
Andrew McCully · Department for Education Graham Archer · Department for Education Susan Acland-Hood · The Department for Education
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifty-Fifth Report - Education recovery in schools in England HC 998 7 Jun 2023 29 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifty-Fifth Report - Education rec…
Develop understanding of reasons for higher absence rates among disadvantaged pupils and take action
Effective recovery relies on pupils being at school but absence is higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among disadvantaged pupils. In the autumn and spring terms of 2021/22, the average absence rate for all pupils was 7.4%, … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation to develop a better understanding of why disadvantaged pupils have higher absence rates, committing to build on existing analysis by July 2024. However, it disagrees with the need for *new* targeted action, stating that comprehensive measures and existing programmes (like HAF and Pupil Premium) already address this.
HM Treasury
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11 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Fifty-Fifth Report - Education rec…
Pupil absence rates, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic.
The Department recognises that a key element of improving attainment is for children to be in school.19 Rates of pupil absence from school are, however, higher than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.20 Written evidence we received from Action Tutoring … Read more
Government Response
While the committee's item is a conclusion on the high rates of pupil absence, especially among disadvantaged pupils, the government's response commits to developing a better understanding of absence rates among disadvantaged pupils by July 2024. It also states existing comprehensive measures and targeted programmes are already in place for reducing absence.
HM Treasury
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12 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Fifty-Fifth Report - Education rec…
Increased pupil absence is primarily driven by illness, especially persistent absence, not unauthorised reasons.
The Department told us that illness, rather than unauthorised absence, was the biggest driver of the increase in absence, particularly persistent absence. It noted that this year’s figures were for the autumn term only, when there had been quite a … Read more
Government Response
While the committee's item is a conclusion on the drivers and patterns of pupil absence, the government's response commits to developing a better understanding of absence rates among disadvantaged pupils by July 2024. It also states existing comprehensive measures and targeted programmes are already in place for reducing absence.
HM Treasury
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13 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Fifty-Fifth Report - Education rec…
Department's attendance strategies show progress for children in care, but overall improvement needed.
We asked the Department what its plans were to deal with pupil absences. It told us that attendance rates were improving as levels of illness reduced, but there was more to be done.25 The Department said that a lot of … Read more
Government Response
While the committee's item is a conclusion on the Department's plans for pupil absences, the government's response commits to developing a better understanding of absence rates among disadvantaged pupils by July 2024. It also states existing comprehensive measures and targeted programmes are already in place for reducing absence.
HM Treasury
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14 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Fifty-Fifth Report - Education rec…
Department champions shared responsibility and the Attendance Action Alliance for improving school attendance.
The Department said it had set a strong expectation that attendance was everyone’s responsibility, including parents, schools and local authorities. It also stressed the importance of leadership and data. It explained that national leadership was being provided by the Attendance … Read more
Government Response
While the committee's item is a conclusion on existing attendance efforts, the government's response commits to developing a better understanding of absence rates among disadvantaged pupils by July 2024. It also states existing comprehensive measures and targeted programmes are already in place for reducing absence.
HM Treasury
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Government Response AI assessment · 25 of 6 classified
Accepted 11
Accepted in Part 5
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 7
Total 6 recs + 23 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
17 Apr 2023 Correspondence from Susan Acland-Hood, Permanent Secretary, Department for Education, re Public Account Committee Oral Evidence Session “Education recovery in schools”– 9 March – corrections 30 April 2023
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