Safeguarding: Social workers in schools project to expand trials 26 May 2020 Placing social workers in schools could reduce the number of children being referred for child protection and child in need enquiries, pilot studies have shown.
Online and offline options on the table for year 10 & 12 face-to-face support 20 May 2020 Secondary schools are considering both online and offline options for how they will provide “face-to-face contact” for year 10 and 12 students from June 1.
Poorest families least likely to send children back to school 20 May 2020 Fewer than one-third of the poorest families say they would send their children back to school should they re-open from June 1 – this compares to around half of the richest families.
Some clarity over what 'face-to-face' support in years 10 and 12 might look like 13 May 2020 Some clarity is emerging over just what expectations the government has of secondary schools when and if plans to re-open schools roll-out from June 1. 2 comments
Scottish schools shut until at least August; Wales and Northern Ireland taking similar paths 13 May 2020 The Scottish government and teachers do not expect schools to re-open before the start of the new academic year in August, while concerns also mount over the way exams will be graded during the coronavirus shutdown.
'No obligation to re-open' – resistance to June 1 plan as unions demand scientific evidence 13 May 2020 A meeting has been set-up between the government’s scientific advisors and education unions to discuss the evidence that the decision to re-open schools from June 1 has been based on.
Outdoor lessons, smaller classes and one-way systems from June 1 – but no masks 12 May 2020 It is not being recommended that pupils or teachers wear masks when and if schools reopen for some primary and secondary pupils from June 1. 2 comments
MPs scathing in their assessment of DfE's grip on SEND system pressures 6 May 2020 ?A scathing report by cross-party MPs has concluded that the government “does not have a grip” on the mounting pressure in the SEND system, with pupils more likely to be excluded and thousands of families missing out on crucial support.
Exclusion warning as schools braced for 'fresh behavioural challenges' after lockdown 6 May 2020 Schools must not turn to exclusion as a solution for the “fresh behavioural challenges” that are expected after the coronavirus lockdown is lifted and pupils return.
Teacher unions urge caution over timetable for re-opening schools 5 May 2020 Ten trade unions representing around one million teachers across the UK and Ireland have written a joint letter to education ministers urging “significant caution in any consideration of re-opening schools”.
Education secretary pressed on FSM vouchers and phased re-opening of schools 29 April 2020 A phased re-opening of schools, a pledge to tackle the problems in the national FSM voucher system, and a refusal to be drawn on the proposed £700 catch-up premium – Pete Henshaw reports on education Gavin Williamson’s appearance before MPs this week
Education gap for children in need: Calls for Pupil Premium Plus to expand 29 April 2020 Researchers have laid bare the educational gaps facing children in need and are calling for the Pupil Premium Plus to be expanded to cover this cohort.
Vulnerable children 'hidden and at risk' during coronavirus lockdown 28 April 2020 Poverty, homelessness, neglect, domestic violence, substance abuse, exploitation, and a lack of food – hundreds of thousands of children facing significant risks are hidden from the authorities because of the coronavrius lockdown.
Key stage 3 & 4 activity: Design the Outdoor Learning Centre of the Future 27 April 2020 A competition to imagine and design the Outdoor Learning Centre of the Future has been launched for students – with the winning entries to be turned into fully rendered architectural designs.
Research review outlines five keys to effective remote learning 22 April 2020 Quality of teaching, facilitating peer interaction, and supporting pupils to work independently are three keys to effective remote learning. 1 comment
Anger at media speculation over May school re-opening 22 April 2020 There is anger and frustration among teachers and school leaders this week after wild media speculation over the imminent re-opening of schools.
Teachers call for DfE's free laptop scheme to be expanded 21 April 2020 Teachers and school leaders are asking the Department for Education (DfE) to consider extending its free laptop initiative to cover a wider range of disadvantaged pupils.
Researchers seek teacher and parent views on home education technologies 20 April 2020 Researchers have launched a survey into the success – or otherwise – of the huge range of learning technologies being used during the school shutdown.
Early re-opening of schools would be "foolhardy", PM warned 16 April 2020 Any plan to re-open schools in May or June and implement social distancing measures for pupils and staff would be “foolhardy”, the prime minister has been warned. 1 comment
Emergency coronavirus funding: Schools must wait until June 10 April 2020 Schools will find out in June how they can apply for government funding to cover additional costs resulting from the coronavirus lockdown.
Home-schooling: 'No expectation' on parents to teach children 10 April 2020 There is no expectation that parents should lead the home education and teaching of their children, school leaders have said.
New NASUWT chief pledges to continue fight over working conditions 10 April 2020 After the inspiring response of teachers to the coronavirus crisis, the government must not continue to undermine pay and conditions, the new general secretary of the NASUWT has said.
No single approach: Ofqual's calculated grades plan for technical awards 9 April 2020 The complexity of the range of vocational and technical qualifications means that a single approach to awarding grades this summer is "not appropriate”, the exams watchdog has said.
GCSE and A levels: Ofqual lists evidence that should be used to decide grades 3 April 2020 Exam boards could adjust upwards or downwards a school’s GCSE and A level grades if it is felt that its teacher-led assessment has been too generous or severe.
Exams: Teachers in Scotland demand clarity on grades 2 April 2020 The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is under pressure to ensure young people in the last two years of school are not severely disadvantaged by the Coronavirus pandemic.
28 April 2020