PAG event
How Lockdown Affected Pupil Performance
a presentation by David Watts MA, CIPD, ICSA
7.30 pm Monday 27th June 2022
Manx Legion Club, Market Hill, Douglas
In the last few years PAG has published three articles, by island parent and education campaigner, David Watts, on the subject of IOM Primary and Secondary school performance.Â
Â
The body of work has gained considerable interest and attracted thousands of readers.
His latest publication entitled "An IOM Good Schools Guide", is the most comprehensive to date and contains a wealth of data related to the academic results from each of the Island's 32 primary schools, encompassing Reception Year and Key Stages 1 and 2. It covers a five year period, so readers can gauge performance over time rather than be presented with a "snapshot" of results from a single academic year.
Importantly, it focusses on so called "Covid Learning Loss" that shows some alarming results at both Island and individual school level.
Readers will be able to make comparisons with pre-Covid academic years (2019 and earlier) and the first set of results published in 2021 which reflected the outcomes from the teaching and learning delivered during the pandemic, when schools faced a number of lockdown closures.
While some schools rose admirably to the challenge others were found significantly wanting. The author suggests that the low attainment results in a large number of primary schools has created a 'catch up cohort' – many ill prepared for Secondary School and others falling behind at the earliest stages of their schooling.
Rather than merely relying on the written word David has agreed to present his findings at PAG's July public meeting.
He will explain his method of investigation, which has largely been achieved via FOI requests.
His interpretation of the results will be given.
David will be happy to answer questions from the audience.
Roger Tomlinson of PAG says "The large following, gained by Mr Watts' research, from far and wide, is a testament to his dedication that aims to fully understand the IOM educational system. We do hope that parents will come along, and more importantly participate in the meeting. PAG campaigned hard for the FOI legislation and we are pleased that Mr Watts has certainly used it to garner valuable data."