Policy in the pandemic: lost opportunities, returning to ‘normal’ and ratcheting up control

In this article, we examine education policymaking in England during the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on period from 2020 to 2022. We argue that while obviously damaging materially, economically and psychologically, seemed have provided a rare opportunity for step change, chance recalibrate reconsider values assumed as ‘truths’. However, appears been driven by desire return normal soon possible or double down control. Through rigorous policy analysis of two specific areas – initial teacher inspection review ministerial speeches, well academic papers, media articles social blogs published start pandemic England, analyse extent which formation was reactive an attempt maintain steady state quickly pre-pandemic normality previously stated intransigent positions. suggest reflects broader trend policymaking, seeks use power sustain privilege, underpinned constructed evidence base, present particular ‘truth’ about what needs be done improve outcomes.