Impact of KS1 school closures on attainment

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the very youngest pupils in schools had their schooling and social interactions in the classroom disrupted by lengthy periods of partial school closures and remote learning. Since then, schools have worked tirelessly to support their learning recovery.

To understand the long-term impact of the pandemic on these children's learning and social skills, NFER is leading a unique longitudinal study following over 6,000 pupils as they progress through primary school.

Below you will find a summary of the most recent findings from this study, which were captured in spring 2023 when the pupils were in Years 3 and 4. 

Latest research from the third year of the study (2022/23)

LLON2 Thumb

Summary for schools: Impact of Key Stage 1 school closures on later attainment and social skills (2022/23)

Find out more about the headline findings about pupils in Years 3 and 4, and practical tips for schools to support pupils’ learning recovery and wellbeing.
READ MORE>
LLON2 Thumb 2

Full report: Impact of Key Stage 1 school closures on later attainment and social skills (2022/23)

Read the full report from the third year of the study, when the pupils were in Years 3 and 4.
READ MORE >

Research from the second year of the study (2021/22)

LLON2 Thumb 3

Summary for schools: Impact of Key Stage 1 school closures on later attainment and social skills (2021/22)

Find out more about the headline findings about pupils in Years 2 and 3, and practical tips for schools to support pupils’ learning recovery and wellbeing.
READ MORE >
Impact Of Ks1 Closures 5

Full report: Impact of Key Stage 1 school closures on subsequent attainment and social skills (2021/22)

Read the full report from the second year of this longitudinal study, when the pupils were in Years 2 and 3.
READ MORE >

Research from the first year of the study (2020/21)

Experiences During Third Period Of School Closures

Full report: Impact of school closures and support strategies on attainment in Key Stage 1 (2020/21)

Read the full report from the first year of this study, on pupils’ attainment and wellbeing in Years 1 and 2,
READ MORE >