Harris KhanThe UK’s leading online tutoring platform, MyTutor, unveils the impact of the pandemic on the UK’s students, from academic attainment to mental health
- Over a quarter – 26% – agree that since COVID-19, there is a visible decline in their child’s educational progression and they are now scoring lower on assessed work
- Over 2 million parents agree that since COVID-19, their child’s mental health is the worst it has ever been
Ofsted have released a new report based on their visits to assess 900 schools in the UK since classrooms reopened in September, in which the watchdog has revealed that children are regressing, as younger students forget basic skills, while older students are struggling with lower fitness levels and reading ability. The report also shows that more students are impacted by mental distress, seen in the rise of eating disorders and self-harm among students.
MyTutor (https://www.mytutor.co.uk) – the UK’s leading online tutoring firm – launched a new research project after the first lockdown, to gauge the impact of the pandemic on students. Similarly, the tutoring body found that pupils were struggling to stay motivated and that their academic progression had been stunted by school closures:
Key National Statistics
- Over a quarter – 26% – agree that since COVID-19, there is a visible decline in their child’s educational progression and they are now scoring lower on assessed work
- Over 2 million parents – 17% – agree that since COVID-19, their child’s mental health is the worst it has ever been
- More than a quarter – 26% – of parents agree that their child feels that their long-term university and career prospects have been damaged by COVID-19
- Over half – 59% – agree that since COVID-19, their child has fallen out of a routine with regards to their education and their motivation to work has declined
- 35% agree that their child has anxiety about returning to school post-COVID
The mental impact of the Coronavirus crisis has been well-documented and this new research from MyTutor shows that the period has also affected the motivation of students. For those students who may be sent home to self-isolate, or who are looking for helping hand outside of the classroom, EdTech is a powerful tool to deliver education – whether through online resources or through use of an online tutor – and can help pupils feel less anxious about the schoolwork they need to catch up on.
Bertie Hubbard, Co-Founder and CEO of MyTutor, comments on the need for extra support during this challenging time:
“2020 has been a tough year for teens. And after 5 months out of school, exam cancellations, not seeing friends and worrying about Covid-19, it’s no surprise that 26% parents feel their child’s mental health has declined. With schools open again, catching up on lost learning and prepping for retakes and mocks this term brings another set of challenges for teens.
They’re in more need than ever for some support and reassurance with their studies, and that’s exactly what our tutors offer. Our tutors are all from UK unis, and because they’re just a few years older they can easily relate to what teens are going through. With their dedicated one-to-one support, teens get some much-needed reassurance and come out with a stronger self-belief – 88% say that lessons made them feel more confident.”
