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<p>Predicting GCSE results is very difficult as there are many drivers that can interact
in unforeseen ways. However, as the Nuffield Foundation’s report indicates, the pandemic
deprived children of the advantages of studying together within the safety and support
of their schools.</p><p> </p><p>The pandemic created a unique challenge for teachers,
staff, students and families. Minimising its impact on education and tackling the
challenges has been the department’s priority from the start. Almost £5 billion was
made available specifically for education recovery, with support focussed on those
who needed it most, while giving education providers as much flexibility as possible
to tailor-make help for their own circumstances. This includes the National Tutoring
Programme (NTP), which focuses on disadvantaged pupils and those who have fallen behind,
and has seen nearly five million tutoring courses start since it launched in November
2020.</p><p> </p><p>The department knows that disadvantaged children and pupils with
a special educational need or disability were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
The department continues to take a range of steps to give priority support and deliver
programmes to help them, including improving the quality of teaching and curriculum
resources, strengthening the school system and providing targeted support where needed.
The department is also supporting disadvantaged pupils through the pupil premium,
which is rising to almost £2.9 billion in 2024/25, which is the highest in cash terms
since this funding began.</p><p> </p><p>Further to this, latest results from 2023
show that over 45% of pupils sitting GCSEs achieved a grade 5 or higher in both English
and mathematics, which is an increase of more than two percentage points compared
with pre-pandemic 2019 levels and almost three percentage points when compared with
2017.</p><p> </p><p>England recently came fourth in primary reading out of 43 countries
which tested pupils of the same age in the Progress in International Reading Literacy
Study (PIRLS). Despite disruption from the pandemic, England’s score remained stable
and well above the international and European averages.</p><p> </p><p>Furthermore,
the department has committed to making schools safe, calm and supportive environments,
which promote and support mental wellbeing alongside delivering an excellent education.</p><p>
</p><p>Enrichment activities can deepen children’s in-school experience while supporting
them to develop their socio-emotional skills. The department is now delivering the
vision set out in its Schools White Paper, which states that every child and young
person will have access to high-quality extra-curricular provision, including an entitlement
to take part in sport, music and cultural opportunities.</p><p> </p><p>Monitoring
and measuring wellbeing in schools strengthens this, which is why the department’s
guidance on promoting a whole-school approach to pupil wellbeing includes this as
one of its eight key principles. You can find out more here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/614cc965d3bf7f718518029c/Promoting_children_and_young_people_s_mental_health_and_wellbeing.pdf"
target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/614cc965d3bf7f718518029c/Promoting_children_and_young_people_s_mental_health_and_wellbeing.pdf</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>The department is supporting all state schools and colleges with a grant to
train a senior mental health lead. To date 15,100 settings have claimed a grant so
far, including more than 7 in 10 state-funded secondary schools.</p><p> </p><p>Intervening
early is critical. To expand access to early mental health support, the department
is continuing to roll out Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) to schools and colleges.
MHSTs deliver evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate mental health issues,
support the senior mental health lead (where established) in each school or college
to introduce or develop whole school or college approaches and give timely advice
to school and college staff, and liaise with external specialist services, to help
children and young people get the right support to stay in education. The department
is extending coverage of MHSTs to cover at least 50% by the end of March 2025.</p>
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