Copyright independent
Former prime minister Boris Johnson admitted the exam grading system implemented during the pandemic, which used predicted grades, "plainly let down a lot of kids" and was one of his biggest regrets. The Covid inquiry heard that the fiasco left him in a "homicidal mood" and he considered sacking his education secretary and reforming the Department for Education. Mr Johnson described closing schools as a "nightmare idea" he personally dreaded, fearing the significant negative impact on vulnerable children and their education. He denied that his government failed to prepare for school closures, stating that discussions and contingency planning had been ongoing since the pandemic's outset. This contradicted former education secretary Sir Gavin Williamson's earlier testimony, who claimed no assessment on school closures was requested by No 10 in early 2020.
