A new report has revealed that children in Bradford who moved from primary to secondary school during the Covid lockdown have faced significant challenges, with many struggling to adjust and engage in their new school environments. The disruption of learning routines during lockdown, combined with a lack of in-person transition support, has had a lasting impact on academic performance and attendance rates.

Bradford Council’s children’s services highlighted concerns at a recent scrutiny committee meeting, pointing to a sharp rise in absences, suspensions and exclusions among secondary pupils. The report noted that while primary-level outcomes are showing improvement, secondary schools - most of which are academies - are lagging behind. Officials cited the absence of structured transition experiences during the pandemic as a key factor behind this performance gap.

The council acknowledged that attendance issues have become increasingly difficult to tackle, particularly among vulnerable families. Some parents now view school attendance as less essential, citing factors such as mental health concerns and the affordability of holidays during term time as reasons for keeping children at home.

To support pupils during this period, the council distributed the book Boy 87 by Ele Fountain to all Year 6 pupils in 2020. The novel was used as a shared point of discussion in both primary and secondary schools, with officials describing it as a valuable tool in helping children cope with the abrupt transition.