Many youngsters are experiencing “unorthodox” education strategies because the pandemic in England, in accordance with Ofsted’s newest report.

The schooling watchdog highlighted issues about a rise in part-time timetables, hybrid studying and rising attendance points – particularly affecting weak college students.

In his first annual report as Ofsted chief inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver described the present state of schooling as “fractured and fragmented” and warned that pupil attendance remained a “cussed and damaging concern”.

He additionally stated there have been vital challenges which persevered for faculties and the broader sector.

Attendance ranges have but to get well from pre-pandemic norms. Authorities knowledge reveals that almost 20% of pupils have been persistently absent through the 2023/24 autumn and spring phrases, almost double the speed earlier than the COVID-19 outbreak.

Sir Martyn linked the rise in absenteeism to shifts in household routines, suggesting dad and mom working from house have been in a position to maintain their youngsters off college.

He pointed to growing cases of “flexi-schooling” – the place dad and mom home-school their youngsters for a part of the week, contributing to the instability of their studying.

Sir Martyn stated roughly 34,000 youngsters at the moment are on part-time timetables – the place pupils attend college for under a part of the week. The Division for Training has stated this could solely be a final resort.

He added: “The unfold of part-time timetables suggests they’re changing into extra readily used, which can’t be good.”

Sir Martyn stated they need to solely be used as a short-term measure and in session with dad and mom and or carers.

Residence-schooling has additionally greater than doubled since 2017, with 92,000 youngsters now educated at house.

Sir Martyn stated their provision was not Ofsted’s duty, and that native authorities and the Division for Training ought to have oversight of this space.

The report additionally touched on the schooling watchdog’s personal reforms following public scrutiny and the loss of life of headteacher Ruth Perry, whose college was downgraded from the highest “excellent” grade to the bottom, “insufficient”, after an inspection.

“As we introduce modifications, we can’t shrink back from calling out unacceptable schooling or care,” the chief inspector stated.

“However we will even spotlight and champion nice work.”

There are plans to switch single-word college grades with detailed report playing cards, with consultations on new frameworks due in January.

When requested concerning the potential for the brand new system to trigger further stress on faculties and lecturers, Sir Martyn stated: “It will be a chance to showcase their strengths.”

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Greater than 87,000 lecturers have left the occupation within the final two years, and faculties are struggling to recruit and retain expert workers.

The report stated the excessive turnover, particularly in nurseries, disrupted early improvement, with youngsters in low-income areas and people with particular instructional wants and disabilities feeling the impression most acutely.