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11 May 2026

Author: Freddie Whittaker

More than 1 in 10 pupils absent as isolation rises again

More than one in ten pupils were absent from school last week because of Covid, after the number of pupils self-isolating rose again. According to the Department for Education’s attendance survey data, around 839,100 children, or 11.2 per cent of the total pupil population, were absent from state schools for Covid-related reasons on July 8. […]

Exams 2022: What you need to know about plans for GCSEs and A-levels

The government has published its long-awaiting consultation on changes to GCSE and A-level exams in 2022. Many of the proposals put forward are similar to those proposed for exams in 2021 before they were cancelled. Here’s what you need to know.   1. Choice of topics for some GCSEs As was proposed for 2021 exams […]

DfE and Ofqual launch exams 2022 consultation

The government has set out draft plans for GCSEs and A-level exams next year, including a choice of topics for some GCSE subjects and advance information about the focus of exams in others. But schools will have to wait until the autumn to hear the government’s final decisions on adaptations, and their decision relating to […]

Kyle: Labour won’t ‘meddle’ with successful schools

A Labour government will not “meddle” in successful schools or launch a “revolution” in school improvement mechanisms, says the new shadow schools minister. But the schools community faces a long wait to see a “fully formed” set of education policies from the party. We want a virtuous circle, and where that exists, we will not […]

Long-read: The evidence behind the government’s Covid classroom ‘gamble’

A raft of Covid protective measures look set to be removed in schools on “freedom day” later this month. Schools Week takes a look at the evidence behind the government’s “gamble”. From July 19, when the country will likely move to Step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown, keeping pupils in bubbles and rules […]

Fair funding reforms won’t be fully rolled out for at least 3 years

Government reforms to make school funding fairer will now not be fully implemented for at least another three years. The Department for Education today launched another consultation over its national funding formula, asking schools how and when it should complete plans to end a “postcode lottery” between council areas. Steve Edmonds, director of advice and […]

Long-serving DfE adviser Chris Paterson leaves to join EEF

A long-serving policy adviser at the Department for Education is to join the Education Endowment Foundation. The charity has announced that Chris Paterson is to become its director of impact, overseeing its “knowledge mobilisation and regional delivery partnerships, communications, policy and evidence synthesis functions”. Paterson is currently a senior policy adviser to education secretary Gavin […]

Bubbles and masks go at step 4, but isolation rules in place to end of term

Schools will no longer be told to keep pupils in consistent “bubbles” from step four of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, but isolation rules for close contacts will remain in place until the end of term. Updated guidance issued by the Department for Education states that at step four, “we will no longer recommend […]