iPad gen 5 iOS 15 upgrade is concerning

Two basic troubleshootings steps to perform:

A "forced" restart of your iPad:

• On an iPad with a Home button: Press and hold the top (power) button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.
• On other iPad models: Press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the top (power) button. Only when the Apple logo appears (it might take 15-30 seconds), release that button (ignore all other screens that might appear).

If the issue persists, something could have gone wrong during the latest update procedure.

I would try to install a fresh copy of iOS/iPadOS. To do this, create a full backup of your iPhone/iPad (1), then restore it to factory settings (you need a computer to perform this step) and, in the end, set it up as new (2).

When done, restore data from your previously made backup (3).

Follow the instructions provided in these support articles:

(1) How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch – Apple Support

(2) Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings – Apple Support

(3) Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup

If the issue still persists, contact Apple Support directly using this link:--> Get Support

Regards

Giulio

The feedback link is the appropriate channel to provide suitably moderated comment to Apple. Remember, those that read your comments may be on the Apple payroll - and will forward comment to the appropriate team - but are not themselves responsible for changes that may not be to your liking.

The feedback channel is your friend…

You're welcome.

Yes, there's a new way to manage widgets in iPadOS15.

See this support page:--> Add widgets on iPad - Apple Support

If you'd like, take a look at this new iPadOS15 guide:--> iPad User Guide - Apple Support

Regards

Giulio

There are many changes within iPadOS15 - of which one is the loss of the pinned Today view on the first Home Screen. 

Whilst you are now able to freely position widgets on any of the Home Screens, you have lost the “compact” first Home Screen layout (that shows a compressed 5x6 grid of App/Folder icons and Today view). Now, without the compressed view, Widgets individually occupy elements of the 4x6 icon grid - and will displace some App/Folder icons as necessary.

The net effect of adding Widgets to the Home Screen(s) results in reduced efficiency in using available screen space on Home Screens.

Apple do invite constructive feedback, comments and feature requests via their product feedback pages. For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

You are encouraged to make use of this facility in expressing any views concerning issues, bugs, or functionality changes of which you are unhappy.