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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 students

  • Sarah Bell
    ,
  • Jane Williams
    ,
  • Jeremy Horwood
    ,
  • Sabi Redwood
  • University of Bristol
    ,
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research
Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Open access

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well

Abstract

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 students. Participants were purposively sampled from English secondary schools serving diverse communities participating in the COVID-19 Mapping and Mitigation in Schools study (CoMMinS). Selection ensured representation of staff roles and student demographics. 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 students). Both staff and students reported significant disruption to school life, with four themes identified: (1) teaching and learning impact, (2) social impact, (3) safeguarding impact, and (4) and mental health and wellbeing impact. Findings highlight widespread negative effects across every aspect of school life, for both staff and students. This study suggests that COVID-19 mitigation measures in UK secondary schools led to a sense of loss and uncertainty as well as increased self-reported stress among both staff and students.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Original language

English

Article number

915

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 915

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Volume 22, Issue 6)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 07/06/2025
  • Published - 10/06/2025

Publication status

Published - 10/06/2025

ISSN

1661-7827

Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/626683
  • Scopus: 105009145777
  • PubMed: 40566341

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