Progress of “most pupils” at schools in Wales has been “negatively affected” by the Covid pandemic and “the system will continue to feel the impact for years to come”, the man in charge of education standards has admitted. The effect of the pandemic is still being felt nearly three years on, Estyn chief inspector Owen Evans says in his annual report for 2021-22, published today (WEDS JAN 18).
Speaking to WalesOnline as he launched the report, Mr Evans identified the three age groups he believed had been worst hit by Covid lockdowns and closures:
- Early years children aged three to six
- The transition years between primary and high school and;
- Year 10 and 11 GCSE years
