Jennette Arnold OBE AM, Chair of the Education Panel, said:
“It is right that there are stronger COVID-19 measures across London, but restrictions could impact school children the most. Learners from the most disadvantaged backgrounds have seen the greatest impact on their learning in the past few months. The Mayor needs to lead in helping London authorities and schools to identify pupils who are effectively offline or struggling to learn.
“Whilst the Government may be stepping up to get families laptops, tablets and routers, students in digital and economic disadvantage already had learning setbacks and poorer education access before the pandemic began. Evidence shows that relying on predicted grades can have a bigger impact on BAME and working class children. Cancelling the exams and buying more laptops may not be enough to overcome the learning gaps forced on them by school shut downs. I urge the Mayor to lead on helping London authorities and schools to identify and estimate children who are effectively offline.
“Many young Londoners are struggling to learn remotely for reasons out of their control. They will be worried about what this means for their grades. Students need urgent clarity from the Government on how a teacher-led grading system will work and if gaps in learning will be factored in. The Mayor must ask the Government what it will do to address the impact on children being left behind.”
Notes for editors:
- Jennette Arnold OBE AM, Chair of the London Assembly Education Panel is available for interview.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more details, please contact Louise Young in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 308317. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, on 020 7983 4100.