Browne Jacobson’s School Leaders Survey exposes post-Covid downturn in school readiness among young children

Three in four (74%) school leaders feel young children are less equipped for starting school compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic, a new Browne Jacobson survey illustrates.

A third (34%) told the UK and Ireland law firm’s summer 2025 School Leaders Survey that school readiness levels are much worse, with only 14% saying they are better.

There are mixed views on the government’s response. The Department for Education (DfE) has committed £4.4bn over the next two years to expand free early years education in a policy it says will also support working parents.

While 28% believe this intervention will positively affect children’s readiness for school, compared to 2% having negative perceptions, the majority (70%) felt neutral.

More than half (55%) of respondents have no confidence this will adequately address the needs of disadvantaged families in their area. Four in 10 (41%) were either “slightly” or “somewhat” confident, with only 4% “fairly” or “very” confident.

Nearly 200 trust and multi-academy trust leaders – including CEOs, executive headteachers, trustees and governors – representing more than 1,700 schools and responsible for almost a million pupils in England, completed the survey during May 2025.

Nick MacKenzie, Partner and Head of Education at Browne Jacobson, said: “Leaders are clear that school readiness has deteriorated since before the pandemic. The DfE has put significant investment into this area but leaders have mixed views on the impact this will have on the most disadvantaged families in their communities.  

“School leaders are responding to the DfE’s call to extend early years provision via enhanced funding, with significant numbers considering setting up schools-based nurseries.

“It will now be interesting to see how those intentions translate into action on the ground in view of the challenges felt around affordability of staffing and complexities of delivery.”

There was overwhelming agreement among leaders that early years provision within a school nursery improves outcomes, with only 7% disagreeing – versus 66% agreeing and the rest neutral. 

Four in 10 (39%) respondents also said they are considering opening a school-based nursery in response to the government's funding.

However, it’s expected to be a difficult path. Of those considering a nursery, seven in 10 (69%) foresee challenges in recruiting and retaining staff.

For those not considering a nursery, a lack of capacity in the school estate (43%) and insufficient funding (42%) were the primary reasons, with staffing costs being too high for 19% of respondents.

Cathy Paine CBE, CEO of REAch2 Academy Trust, added: “The government’s commitment to breaking down barriers to opportunity by providing children with the best start in life is welcomed. 

“School readiness has deteriorated since Covid, so this is the time to invest in our youngest learners. The survey illustrates leaders’ confidence that school-based nursery provide the best early years outcomes. These settings support children’s ability to self-regulate and take care of themselves, such as using the toilet. 

“There’s less assurance, however, about schools’ ability to meet the challenge of recruiting and training staff. Skilled practitioners who provide a well-sequenced learning journey are vital to the success of the mission. 

“Finally, what is important to remember is that although the expanded provision will benefit working families, it makes no difference to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, for whom the offer remains the same. More needs to be done to make sure these children have the best start in life too.”

The full School Leaders Survey report for summer 2025 can be found at www.brownejacobson.com/school-leaders-survey.