Value for Money

Education recovery in schools in England

Published 1 February 2023 5 recommendations Department for Education COVID-19Education, training and skillsSchools nao.org.uk
This study assesses how effectively the Department for Education is supporting education recovery in schools following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recommendations (5)

Source: NAO Recommendations Tracker · PAC follow-up below
5
Accepted
4
Implemented
5
NAO Confirmed
Department for Education
Rec 1 Accepted No Longer Relevant
DfE should further develop its approach to monitoring progress towards achieving the ambitions for pupils? attainment in 2030, as set out in the schools white paper, and report regularly on progress.
Page 13, paragraph 19, point a 11/2024
Department for Education
Rec 2 Accepted Implemented
DfE should use research and evidence, including exploring the possibility of systematic longitudinal monitoring, to assess education recovery in schools, including whether children have recovered lost learning and whether progress is being made to close the disadvantage gap.
Page 13, paragraph 19, point b 11/2023
Department for Education
Rec 3 Accepted Implemented
DfE should model the impact of withdrawing the recovery premium and subsidy for the NTP, to assess whether tutoring in schools is financially sustainable given DfE?s objective for tutoring to become embedded in the school system.
Page 13, paragraph 19, point c 05/2024
Department for Education
Rec 4 Accepted Implemented
DfE should build on the evidence and insights being gathered from stakeholder bodies and schools to understand how recovery interventions can best support disadvantaged pupils in the way DfE intends, and use the findings to inform and share good practice.
Page 13, paragraph 19, point d 11/2024
Department for Education
Rec 5 Accepted Implemented
DfE should ensure regular senior oversight of education recovery in schools remains in place, since funding is to continue until 2023/24 and successfully delivering programmes and achieving education recovery is not yet assured.
Page 13, paragraph 19, point e 03/2024

Parliamentary Committee Follow-Up

The Public Accounts Committee examined this NAO report and published its own recommendations. The government responds to PAC recommendations via Treasury Minutes.

Fifty-Fifth Report - Education recovery in schools in England
Public Accounts Committee · 7 June 2023 · 10 recommendations
View PAC report & government responses parliament.uk