'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.
Ofsted urged to "build faith" in inspection complaints process 1 April 2020 Ofsted’s proposals to reform the way it handles complaints about inspection are welcome but do not go far enough, school leaders have said.
Child poverty hits 4.2 million amid coronavirus impact fear 1 April 2020 Levels of child poverty in the UK have risen once again, as has the proportion of these children who are living in working families. It comes amid fears that the coronavirus crisis will hit these families and their children the hardest, while also pushing many more into poverty.
Coronavirus: National free school meal voucher scheme launches 31 March 2020 Schools can now provide every child eligible for free school meals (FSM) with a weekly voucher worth £15 to help them cover the cost of meals while they are being home schooled.
Home-schooling: Advice urges no more than three hours' work a day for pupils 30 March 2020 This is not “business as usual” and teachers should not be expected to deliver a full school timetable to pupils at home during the coronavirus closures.
Using teacher assessment for GCSE grades will show that an alternative universe is possible 30 March 2020 The use of teacher assessments to decide on pupils’ GCSE and A level grades presents us with the chance to show that “an alternative universe is possible”.
28 April 2020