Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

Gavin Williamson update on spring partial closures: What did we learn?

The education secretary has given more information about the government’s contingency plans for schools, after it was announced that mainstream settings will move to remote education for most pupils. Here’s what we learned. 1. Teacher assessment to replace exams, but no algorithm The government had already announced that GCSE and A-level exams would not […]

Government to increase remote education expectation and demand video lessons

The government will increase the number of hours of remote education schools have to provide and introduce an expectation that at least some provision is delivered via video lessons. A new legal duty for schools to provide remote education for absent pupils came into force last October, and will be used by the government to […]

SATs scrapped in 2021, Williamson confirms

SATs will be cancelled this year following the decision to partially close schools, the education secretary has said. Gavin Williamson said in the Commons today that the government recognised the primary tests “will be an additional burden on schools and it’s important we area very much focused on welcoming children back to the classroom at […]

Government to relaunch national free school meals voucher scheme

Pupils eligible for free school meals will once again be offered supermarket vouchers via a national scheme again this year if their school cannot provide food parcels or meals to them at home. Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, said today that following the decision to partially close mainstream schools, extra funding would be provided to […]

Teacher assessment grades to replace GCSE and A-level exams in 2021

GCSE and A-level students will receive teacher assessed grades in 2021 following the partial closure of schools – but the grades won’t be adjusted by an algorithm. Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, confirmed in the House of Commons today that GCSE, AS and A-level grades will not go ahead this year, and that the government […]

UCAS extends 2021 application deadline by two weeks

Students will be given an extra two weeks to complete university and college applications following the announcement of partial school closures. The Universities and Colleges Admission Service has announced an extension of its equal consideration deadline to January 29 at 6pm in recognition of the “significant demands” on the time of teachers and careers advisers. […]

Tier 4 failure to blame for schools shutting, says Johnson

The government was forced to partially close schools across England because its tier 4 restrictions did not suppress the virus enough, the prime minister has admitted. Boris Johnson told today’s Downing Street press briefing that in the days leading up to Sunday, the government was “hoping that we would start to see some impact and […]

DfE under pressure to address digital divide as partial closures kick in

The government is under growing pressure to say how it will help disadvantaged pupils access online learning during partial school closures, with the cost of internet access the “single biggest issue” for poorer families. Boris Johnson announced last night that schools will move to remote learning for most pupils until at least the February half […]

Spring school closures: What we know so far

Boris Johnson has announced the closure of schools to most pupils until at least February half term. The announcement was light on detail, and further guidance hasn’t been put out yet, but here’s what we know so far. 1. Schools to move to remote learning Johnson announced this evening that schools will move to […]