Education experts warn of a 'lost generation' of school children
Video report by ITV News Correspondent John Ray
On Thursday, Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, is due to set out the government's blueprint on how to get children safely back into classrooms in September.
By then many pupils will have, in effect, missed six months of lessons.
Educational experts and critics of the government are warning of a lost generation of children who may never catch up, with young people from deprived backgrounds particularly affected. The gap between the haves and the have nots could grow into a chasm if these children are neglected, experts say.
One former chief inspector of schools has told ITV News it would be a national tragedy.
Others are a little more optimistic. Ed Vainker, Executive Principal, Reach Academy in Felton, tells ITV News hope is not lost.
He says young people are resilient enough to be able to recover, provided they are given the right investment and support.