Year 7 and 8 pupils still catching up on key stage 2

In Ofsted's reports into the pandemic's impact on education providers, many school leaders highlighted concerns about pupils in key stage 3.

This was particularly the case for Year 7 and Year 8, as the pandemic disrupted the transition from primary school to secondary school for these pupils.

Subject leaders had found more variation in pupils’ knowledge and skills, depending on primary school provision during the pandemic. Some were still catching up on key stage 2 curriculum content, including in reading and mathematics.

Some Year 7 and Year 8 pupils were still struggling with behaviour expectations, and often displayed less mature behaviour than pupils of this age might previously have done.

The report also found that the provision of careers information, education, advice and guidance has been mixed. This was particularly common in relation to work experience. Some schools had plans in place for work experience in the summer term 2022 and for the next academic year. Many pupils in Year 11 and Year 13 have missed out on opportunities for work experience. A few leaders explained that work experience had been difficult to set up because employers were reluctant to facilitate placements.