We simply can’t leave the ‘Lockdown Generation’ behind - Laura Collins, YEP Editor

After waving goodbye to their pupils before the Christmas break, they were forced to rip up their plans for returning to the classroom in January at the drop of a hat for another prolonged period of home schooling.

On top of that, they were then told that examinations would be placed on hold and teacher assessments would form a crucial element of grading students this year.

And over the weekend, The Sunday Times has reported the Education Secretary is expected to rule out a return to the classroom after February half-term and will prepare parents for a prolonged period of home schooling ahead.

It has required a tremendous amount of effort to make huge changes in such a short amount of time and those decisions ultimately impact on the young minds we are nurturing. Seemingly, there is no end in sight as parents, children and teachers look at the challenge they face.

And the strain is already showing as schools battle to ensure no child gets left behind.

Just take a look at the city-wide campaign, championed by this newspaper, to ensure no child suffers because of the stark digital divide.

Many disadvantaged children in Leeds do not have access to computers at home, which leaves them on the back foot before they have even started as face-to-face classes are replaced with remote learning.

There is a danger that this ‘Lockdown Generation’ is going to be left even further behind thanks to the unfolding crisis we are facing in education.

Understandably, teachers are feeling overwhelmed as they pour all their energies into supporting their pupils – some in class and many more online – and redesigning lesson plans at all hours, often neglecting their own welfare as they prioritise that of their pupils.

We’ve heard stories of teachers receiving emails in the early hours of the morning from parents asking for support too because of the shifts they juggle.

And the Yorkshire Evening Post has reported on the urgent help needed for those in Leeds who rely on special needs provision as parents struggle at home.

While mainstream schools are closed and only open to vulnerable or key worker children, special needs units such as Rainbow Base, which is part of the Richmond Hill school, have fought to stay open full-time amid concerns for families.

I know all too well the battle that parents of disabled children can face after watching my own mum and dad fight tooth and nail for my sister over the years.

The impact on all children will be lasting and profound – but especially so for those who are the most vulnerable.

We are surely looking at a ticking time bomb, with a childhood mental health crisis now looming.

Intervention is going to be crucial at this stage to make sure that no child in our city gets left behind.

We can’t afford for this generation to become another victim of the virus.

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.