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Children ‘forget how to use knife and fork’ due to lockdown
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Ofsted has examined the impact of the pandemic on children and found that some have slipped quite far back with their skills.
The report highlighted that children have been the hardest hit by Covid-19 measures put in place during the pandemic.
In some cases, for instance, where children were potty-trained pre-lockdown they have reverted back to nappies. Others have forgotten basic numbers or how to use a knife and fork. Older children have lost their stamina for reading, according to the inspectors.
Based on visits to 900 schools, Ofsted found there were three ‘broad groups’ to describe what has happened to children in the UK in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The majority of children sit in the middle of the three groups. This group has ‘slipped back in their learning to varying degrees since schools were closed to most children and movement restricted’.
The report adds that ‘lost learning is unarguable, but it is hard to assess’.
The hardest-hit group of children have suffered from time out from school, retreating on their numeracy and literacy skills as well as ‘regression back into nappies among potty-trained children’. In some cases ‘basic skills’ such as using a knife and fork have been lost.
There are some children, the findings explain, that have gained a positive experience from lockdown. These children come from ‘supportive’ backgrounds and have benefited from a greater sense of togetherness and ‘quality time’ with parents and family.
The report adds that children’s experiences weren’t necessarily determined by privilege or deprivation. However, it explains that those children whose parents were unable to work more flexibly have experienced less time with parents and other children and have therefore been more greatly impacted.
The chief inspector, Amanda Spielman, says the divide is not along the lines of ‘advantage and deprivation’. Instead, it depends on factors such as whether parents were able to spend time children and families. She described this as ‘good support structures’.
Children with special education needs and disabilities have been ‘seriously affected’ across all age groups both in car and education, losing vital support including speech and language services.
Ofsted remains concerned about children who are at risk of neglect, exploitation and abuse. Child protection referrals fell while schools to most pupils and have yet to return to normal levels.
In older children, Ofsted warned of a loss of concentration. Spielman added that some boys have spent most of the lockdown gaming online with friends and after months of online-learning, ‘online squabbles’ that started in lockdown on social media are now ‘being played out in the classroom’.
There are also reports of loss of physical fitness, ‘signs of mental distress’ and concerns over eating disorders and self-harm.
Leader of the ASCL headteachers’ union, Geoff Barton, says the report ‘starkly shows the educational and emotional impact of school closures, and why we need to do everything possible to keep schools open’.
Barton warned that it was becoming financially unsustainable to keep schools running with the increased cost of safety measures and paying for staff to cover when teachers need to self-isolate.
James Bowen, the director of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: “The government’s refusal to recognise the financial difficulties schools are now facing due to Covid-19 means that not only is money being taken away from children’s education and wellbeing, it could push some schools over the edge financially.”
A Department for Education person said: “The government has been clear that getting all pupils and students back into full-time education is a national priority.”
Adding: “We know that some children do need additional support to catch up as a result of the pandemic, which is why we launched a £1bn Covid catch-up fund for schools to support those children who need it.
“Our national tutoring programme is now live in schools, providing intensive support to the most disadvantaged children. The evidence shows high-quality tutoring can make up as much as three to five months’ lost learning.”
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Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
News
More human remains discovered in Greater Manchester as police identify victim
All the latest updates
Detectives investigating the discovery of a torso in Kersal Dale have found more human remains around Greater Manchester.
GMP released a statement on the weekend, revealing they had opened four scenes for extensive searches – one of them at a warehouse in Bury, and three in Salford.
Searches took place at Blackleach reservoir, where human remains were found, and a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood.
Officers believe they have now identified the man, who they believe to be a man in his 60s that lived in Salford, and his family have been informed.
Two suspects have already been arrested in connection with the murder probe, with officers saying they are thought to have lived with the victim.
Greater Manchester Police / Facebook
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, Senior Investigating Officer for this investigation, said in a statement at Blackleach reservoir yesterday, Sunday April 28th: “We have continued to make significant progress in our investigation into human remains being found in Kersal earlier this month.
“From day one, our priority has been to identify the man and his family so that we can give them the support and the answers that they need.
“Thanks to meticulous forensic work, we are now confident we have identified the man. Formal identification hasn’t yet taken place, but we believe he is a man in his 60s and lived in Salford.
“Specially-trained family liaison officers have met with his family this afternoon to give them the devastating news, and we will do all that we can to support them at this awful time.
“We believe he is known to the two suspects we have in custody. They have remained in custody for questioning over the weekend, as we work to establish how the victim met this tragic outcome.”
He continued: “We have painstakingly worked to follow up every line of inquiry in this investigation. Over the last couple of days, we have acted on information and had four scenes in place for extensive searches – one of them is at a warehouse in Bury, and three of them are in Salford, including here at Blackleach reservoir.
“Today, we have found some human remains at the reservoir here, and last night a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood. Forensic tests will continue to establish whose remains these are, but we are very confident that this is also the victim in our investigation.
“We have also been searching a house in Winton where we believe the victim and the two suspects lived. We have found evidence that the victim is likely to have died there – most likely in late March.
“While this is significant progress, we know there is still some way to go to complete this investigation. I also recognise details of this case will have been distressing for the people of Salford and beyond – including the officers that are diligently working on this investigation, and most importantly the man’s heartbroken family.
“Local officers will continue to patrol the affected areas, and we will provide updates when we have more information.”
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