Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

Speed read: DfE publishes guidance for secondary schools on June 15 reopening plan

The Department for Education has published guidance for secondary schools about the return of pupils next month. It comes after the prime minister, Boris Johnson, confirmed the government was pushing back the date it expects secondaries to start to provide face-to-face support for year 10 and 12 pupils, from June 1 to June 15. Here’s […]

Coronavirus: ‘Significant gap’ in advice for schools to protect BAME staff

A network representing black, Asian and minority ethnic education staff has published its own guidance to help schools prepare for the impact of coronavirus on ethnic minority groups. BAMEed said it had identified a “significant gap” in guidance provided by the government and other bodies in terms of advice on how schools should act to […]

Coronavirus: Reopening on June 1 ‘may not be possible for all schools’ admits Johnson

Reopening schools to pupils in reception, year 1 and year 6 “may not be possible for all schools”, Boris Johnson has admitted. The prime minister also announced that the government does not expect secondary schools to start providing face-to-face support for year 10 and 12 pupils until June 15, two weeks later than ministers initially […]

Coronavirus: 8 things we learned from SAGE’s advice to ministers on schools

The government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has finally published the advice it provided to ministers over plans to reopen schools. Here are eight things we learned from reading them. 1. We’re still in the dark about the impact on children The dossier of evidence includes a report on the role of children […]

Coronavirus: Scientists told ministers a rota system could help curb transmission in schools

The government told schools not to use rota systems for the return of pupils despite scientific advice that it was “likely to be the most effective strategy” for bringing them back, official documents show. Advice to the government, published today by the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), shows that advisers reported on April […]

Coronavirus: June 1 ‘too early’ for schools to reopen, says group of scientists

June 1 is “too early” for schools to reopen, a former government chief scientific adviser has said. Sir David King, who chairs the “Independent Sage” group of scientists, said that “by going ahead with this dangerous decision, the government is further risking the health of our communities and the likelihood of a second spike” It […]

The rebel councils: Government’s schools plan in doubt as 27 town halls raise safety concerns

The government’s determination to begin the phased return of pupils to England’s schools on June 1 looked in serious doubt this week after as many as 27 councils said the move threatened the safety of pupils and staff. Seven have advised schools not to allow more pupils back on the preferred date, while a further […]

Ofsted praises ‘outstanding’ UTC with 100% progression rate

A university technical college in Hull has been dubbed a “guiding light in the education sector” after being rated ‘outstanding’ in its first ever Ofsted inspection. Ron Dearing UTC, which opened in September 2017, received top grades across the board in a report published today that did not include one line of criticism. It becomes […]

Coronavirus: Secondaries ‘should plan work and check progress’ of homebound pupils, DfE tells parents

Secondary schools in England should be planning “achievable work” for pupils studying at home, as well as ways to give them feedback and check progress, the Department for Education has told parents. In what appears to be a stepping up of expectations on secondary schools, new guidance for parents and carers published today sets out […]