Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

Coronavirus: School attendance rate climbs to 2.4%

The proportion of pupils attending school rose to 2.4 per cent in the middle of last week, new figures show. Weekly attendance figures published by the government show there were 223,000 pupils in England’s schools last Wednesday (May 6), up from 197,000 (2.1 per cent) at the same point the week before. The data also […]

Coronavirus: Largest heads’ union says it wasn’t consulted over June 1 return plan

The country’s largest headteachers’ union was not consulted on the government’s proposal to allow certain year groups to return to school on June 1, its general secretary has revealed. Paul Whiteman, the leader of the National Association of Head Teachers, which mostly represents primary school leaders, told the Parliamentary education committee this morning that conversations […]

Coronavirus: Tests for pupils with symptoms, no PPE needed and classes of 15

Pupils eligible to return to school on June 1 will have “access” to coronavirus testing, the Department for Education has said. The department has finally published additional information for schools, more than 24 hours after Boris Johnson announced the government’s intention to have some primary pupils return to school as early as June 1. The […]

ONS figures reveal 65 COVID-related deaths in education workforce

At least 65 education sector workers with COVID-19 have died, new statistics show. Data published today by the Office for National Statistics provides information on deaths involving COVID-19 across England and Wales, broken down by occupation. It shows at least 65 education staff have died with coronavirus, of which 43 were women and 22 were […]

Coronavirus: Heads can refuse to reopen schools if they don’t think it’s safe, say leadership unions

Headteachers can refuse to reopen their schools to more pupils if they don’t believe they can do so safely, leadership unions have warned. The National Association of Head Teachers and the Association of School and College Leaders, which between them represent tens of thousands of senior and middle leaders, said the final decision on whether […]

Coronavirus: Government wants all primary school pupils back before summer

The government wants all primary school pupils to return to school for a month before the summer “if feasible”. Ministers have finally published further details of their “recovery strategy” this afternoon. However, the document is light on detail in terms of the government’s plan for schools. It is hoped that will come in the form […]

Coronavirus: We believe primaries could reopen to some pupils on June 1, says Johnson

The government believes it “may be in a position” to begin the phased reopening of schools on June 1, the prime minister has said. In a televised address tonight, Boris Johnson said he hoped pupils in reception, year 1 and year 6 would be able to return to schools on June 1, which would have […]

‘Confusing’, ‘frustrating’ and ‘unfair’ – heads respond to Boris Johnson’s schools announcement

The prime minister’s announcement that schools may begin to reopen on June 1 has been labelled as “confusing”, “frustrating” and “unfair” by headteachers. Boris Johnson announced last night that he hoped pupils in reception, year 1 and year 6 would be able to return to schools on June 1, and set out an “ambition” to […]

Adonis updates register of interests after he blasts schools over remote learning

A Labour peer who accused schools of failing to provide online learning has updated his register of interests after questions over links to a global education company that boasts of an extensive remote learning programme. House of Lords files were updated this week to state that Lord Adonis (pictured), a former schools minister in Tony […]