Teachers union warns it could take children five years to catch up on lost learning

Teaching unions in the North West are warning it could take children up to five years to catch up on lost learning because of the pandemic.

The warning comes as the government is said to be considering longer school days and shorter holidays to help pupils get back up to speed.

But the NEU say that idea is unrealistic because kids won't be able to concentrate for longer periods and it'll put extra pressure on teaching staff.

Peter Middleman is Regional Secretary for the North West :

"The government's own Education Recovery Commissioner is estimating it could take up to five years for children to catch up. We would endorse that.

"There are persistent rumours that the Government are planning longer school days and shorter holidays, neither of them will be easy to deliver and neither are likely to have much of an impact.

"Tired students don't learn very well and extending the school day will have very limited educational benefit to the students being subjected to it."