The Lost Generation? Let’s not write off a generation of learners

Nottingham Girls’ High School supported its pupils during the COVID-19 pandemic

Regrettably, there is a lot of noise in the media regarding a ‘lost generation’ of pupils; academically and socially relapsing into disorder, lacking discipline and direction during lockdown. I think we need to ‘change the narrative’ and celebrate how young people, parents and teachers have not just coped with a year to end all years, but have learnt new skills, tested their fortitude and become stronger because of it.

There must be very few children who have not been personally affected by COVID-19. Have we praised them for how they responded to the ‘new normal’? I guess the answer is ‘no’ – once again, we have failed to acknowledge and appreciate our young people. Instead, we call them the ‘lost generation’ – disaffected, lacking motivation, behind in their learning. However, I think many schools have risen to the challenge of Guided Home Learning and pupils, parents and teachers have responded accordingly. It has not been easy, but it has not been a disaster.

At NGHS, Google became the classroom; teachers quickly learnt to transfer their resources and lessons onto a shared drive; pupils uploaded their work and accessed their learning through their tablet. Pastoral and academic interventions continued to support the learners, parental contact continued. Along the way we learnt a new language, teachers were ‘glitching’, chat rooms and ‘virtual’ hand raising was the norm. Whilst our pupils enthusiastically ‘arrived’ at lessons, we’ve also gone through the ups and downs together: knowing that ‘my camera’s not working’ often means, ‘I’m struggling today and need some space.’ Lockdown has been an incredible struggle for all of us; our wellbeing and especially that of our children should now be our priority. If a child is happy and feels safe, catching up with any gaps in learning will come a lot easier. We need to celebrate all they have achieved; there is no denying that school is the best place for children to be, but to ‘write off’ the last year would be a terrible mistake.

In the Junior School, you will be familiar with the School Recipe: Resilience, Empathy, Creativity, Initiative, Positivity and Excellence. Resilience in being away from school and friends whilst trying to learn; Empathy, in understanding that technology can be cruel when your teacher is trying to show a slideshow; Creativity, thinking of innovative ways to demonstrate your learning when you’re not in school; Initiative, getting back into the ‘Google

Meet’ when you have been ‘kicked out’; Excellence, the desire to make the most of your learning regardless of the situation. Lockdown and Guided Home Learning was the ultimate test of the RECIPE for all our school community and I think we came through it with flying colours. .

PETER ELKINGTON, Deputy Head, Infant and Junior School. nottinghamgirlshigh.gdst.net