Summary
Inquiry: Towards the end of March 2020, as part of the measures taken to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, schools closed to all pupils except vulnerable children and children of key workers. Some year groups returned to school in June, but most children did not return until September 2020. Therefore, for several months the majority of pupils were learning at home. Schools were physically closed to most children again on 5 January with 24 hours’ notice and remain closed indefinitely, until further notice from the Government. The Committee will question senior officials at the Department for Education on how well it managed its overall response in the first lockdown, including whether it effectively supported schools and pupils in England during this period, whether it managed the move to mainly home-learning effectively and whether it effectively supported vulnerable and disadvantaged children.