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22 April 2026

Author: Freddie Whittaker

DfE to stop publishing Covid case data for school staff working from home

The government will stop publishing data on the number of school staff working from home because they have a suspected or confirmed case of Covid or are self-isolating. The Department for Education has announced today that from next week, it will only publish information on the reasons for staff absence if they cannot work remotely […]

Give us a ‘routemap’ to reopening schools, says education committee chair

The chair of the education select committee is calling on ministers to create a “routemap” to reopening schools, amid speculation that they may not reopen fully until after Easter. The Times reported yesterday that education secretary Gavin Williamson is expected this week to rule out reopening schools to all pupils until after February half term. […]

Fact check: Are school staff at greater risk from Covid-19?

There have been conflicting statements this week on whether teachers are more likely to catch Covid-19. Dr Jenny Harries, the government’s deputy chief medical officer, told MPs there was “no evidenced increased risk” for education staff, but admitted there was still “uncertainty” about the role schools played in transmission of the virus. However, a National […]

Give us freedoms on reopening schools, leaders tell ministers

Leaders have urged the government to hand them back freedoms to make decisions on reopening schools – with staggered returns and rota systems being touted again. Ministers have refused to give a firm date for when schools will reopen, although education secretary Gavin Williamson said this week he hoped pupils would start returning before Easter. […]

DfE extends emergency school admission appeals flexibilities until September

Flexibilities in the way school admission appeals are handled have been extended until the end of September. The school admission appeals code was amended last April by emergency legislation to give admission authorities, local authorities and appeal panels “some additional flexibility when dealing with appeals” during the Covid-19 outbreak. The temporary changes were due to […]

DfE to toughen up Baker Clause and extend careers requirement to year 7s

Schools will face “tougher formal action” if they don’t comply with a requirement to allow other providers access to talk about study options with their pupils. The government’s skills for jobs white paper, published today, has also revealed the requirement to provide careers education will be extended to year 7s. The government wants to make sure […]