RSS Press releases

Schools’ attainment data presents the headlines of how the Covid 19 pandemic has impacted on the progress and achievements of young people across D&G and nationally. This assessment picture, based on teacher judgements of where they would expect children to be at this stage of Curriculum for Excellence, shows that children’s progress has been affected in all stages across the assessments in literacy and numeracy to some extent. Similarly, the challenges brought about by the pandemic have impacted the normal processes of learning, teaching, assessment and evidence gathering that teachers would routinely utilise to help form their judgements. The historic trend of steady improvement year on year has been halted with a dip of up to around 10% recorded for attainment in reading, writing and listening and talking at P1, P4 and P7 from the last data gathered in 2019 pre-pandemic. In numeracy there was a similar picture but with a slightly smaller dip in attainment of between 5% and 8% at P1 and P4 respectively and up to around 10% at P7.  

Although the data tells us the headlines of a snapshot in time as captured in June 2021, we know ongoing story of efforts taking place in every school and ELC to address recovery and meet the needs of young people and their families. We also know that some children’s learning has been affected more than others and we are targeting our efforts for those where the data shows the gaps have widened.

Every school and Early Learning and Childcare setting has submitted its plans for recovery in session 2021-22 with recovery of literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing as focus areas. Schools will be closely monitoring and tracking performance throughout the year, and this will form part of the ongoing discussion with parents about pupil progress.

Jim Brown, Chief Education Officer says “The process of recovery will be ongoing over time and will be a gradual and incremental process to rebuild, bolster up firm foundations and develop learning and skills amongst young people who have lost time and opportunity they would otherwise have had in normal circumstances. This approach will yield better longer-term gains than approaches that might seek a speedier short-term recovery but that might in the end leave young people with less solid foundations that might show up later on as they progress along their learning journey. Our role is to get that balance right and maximise the rate of recovery whilst understanding and responding to how we can best meet the needs of all of our young people to help them to flourish post pandemic and achieve the best possible outcomes.”

Cllr Jeff Leaver, Chair of Education and Learning Committee says “As in other parts of the country, Dumfries and Galloway has not escaped the impact of the pandemic in how it has affected continuity of learning, teaching and assessment as well as the impact and disruption caused to many families. Schools and clusters are working closely together to use the recovery curriculum to close the gap – often using digital connectivity to pool resources.”

Cllr Ros Surtees Vice Chair of Education and Learning Committee says “Improving attainment in children who are care experienced remains a priority of the Council. As their corporate parent, we are looking to all possible ways to quickly address the gaps in learning that this data shows.  We have a Promise to keep for these young people and every effort must now be made to support their learning.”