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21 April 2026

Author: Freddie Whittaker

Coronavirus: Track and trace system needed for schools to reopen, says government scientist

Ministers have been advised that changes to lockdown, including the reopening of schools, require a “highly-effective” track and trace system to be in place. Professor Dame Angela McLean, the government’s deputy chief scientific adviser, told today’s Downing Street briefing that scientists had been “very clear” that changes to social distancing measures needed to be based […]

Coronavirus: Final schools reopening decision ‘to be made on May 28’

Ministers will make the final decision on whether to press ahead with its schools reopening plan on May 28, a union leader has revealed. Geoff Barton (pictured above left), the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the government will “review the latest science” next Thursday, and that the return of […]

Coronavirus: DfE publishes overview of scientific advice

The Department for Education has finally published an overview of the scientific advice it has received. The document, released today, summarises advice from the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and its Children’s Task and Finish Working Group. However, it does not include evidence from SAGE or the sub-group, which is being published separately. […]

Coronavirus: NEU says questions remain after government scientific briefing

The National Education Union has said its questions about the safety of reopening schools have still not been addressed after a government scientific briefing. The union, which represents more than 400,000 teachers, leaders and support staff, said it was “pleased” with the meeting with government science and medical officers but that “very many questions that […]

CEO leaves trust 12 months after whistleblower probe

A trust chief executive who threatened to “deal with” a whistleblower has left his post, more than a year after the launch of an investigation into his comments. Victoria Academies Trust (VAT) said it had agreed to terminate the contract of Andrew Morrish as it was the “most efficient use of resources and time” that […]

Coronavirus: Attainment gap could widen by 75%, DfE official warns

The attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their better-off peers could widen by as much as 75 per cent because of the coronavirus outbreak, a senior Department for Education official has warned. Vicki Stewart, the deputy director of the DfE’s pupil premium and school food division, told a Westminster Education Forum event on Wednesday that […]

DfE ‘can’t prevent’ schools buying half-term meal vouchers

The government’s refusal to roll out the free meal voucher scheme over the May half-term break is meaningless because they are unable to prevent schools from buying vouchers, it has been claimed. Ministers said they have “no plans to extend the scheme into future holiday periods”. However, school business managers and food campaigners have pointed […]