When Corona Infested Everything- a Qualitative Interview Study Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 Mitigation Measures on School Life from the Perspectives of English Secondary School Staff and Pupils

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, transmission and illness during the pandemic, the Department for Education (DfE) issued guidance to schools. However, research on how the school community perceives the impact of the COVID-19 mitigation measures outlined remains limited. This qualitative study aims to explore the effects of school closures and in-school mitigation measures on daily school life, as well as their impact on mental health and wellbeing from the perspective of English secondary school staff and pupils. Participants were purposively sampled from English secondary schools serving diverse communities participating in the COVID-19 Mapping and Mitigation in Schools study (CoMMinS). Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely, and data analysed thematically. Interviews were between January and August 2021 with participants from five secondary schools (20 staff and 25 pupils). Both staff and pupils reported significant disruption to school life, with four themes identified: (1) teaching and learning impact, (2) social impact, (3) safeguarding impact, (4) and mental health and wellbeing impact. Findings highlight widespread negative effects across all aspects of school life, as well as on the mental health and wellbeing of both staff and pupils. The COVID-19 mitigation measures created a pervasive sense of loss, uncertainty and increased stress.