Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

Coronavirus: Special QTS arrangements do not give trainees ‘free pass’

Trainee teachers must not receive a “free pass” under the new system for awarding qualified teacher status, new guidance has warned. The Department for Education has published new advice for initial teacher training providers, which expands on a policy statement issued last month. School closures and social distancing rules implemented by the government have led […]

Coronavirus: School closures play ‘marginal’ role in containing COVID-19

School closures will only have a “marginal” impact in containing the spread of COVID-19, according to a new study. A review led by University College London and published today in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health found school closures “do not appear to have a significant effect on the spread of infections during coronavirus outbreaks […]

Who is Rebecca Long-Bailey? 8 facts about the new shadow education secretary

Rebecca Long-Bailey has been appointed as shadow education secretary by Sir Keir Starmer. Here’s what we know about her… She was born in Manchester in 1979. Although Long-Bailey is one of the youngest people to hold the role of shadow education secretary, the record is actually held by her predecessor Angela Rayner, who was […]

Rebecca Long-Bailey appointed shadow education secretary

Sir Keir Starmer has named his former leadership rival Rebecca Long-Bailey as shadow education secretary. Long-Bailey, the MP for Salford and Eccles, was previously the shadow business secretary, and came second in the Labour leadership contest. She succeeds Angela Rayner, her friend and flatmate, who won the deputy leadership election and is now the Labour […]

Coronavirus: Admission appeal panels could be held by phone or video call

The government is considering allowing admission appeals to be heard by telephone or video call, after a senior official said appeal panels should not meet during the coronavirus outbreak. In a letter to councils, national schools commissioner Dominic Herrington said that “given the current restrictions we do not consider it is sensible to go ahead with […]

Angela Rayner elected deputy leader of the Labour party

The shadow education secretary Angela Rayner has been elected deputy leader of the Labour Party, it has been announced. The MP for Ashton-under-Lyne will serve under new leader Sir Keir Starmer, whose election as leader was also announced today. She has also been appointed by Starmer as chair of the Labour Party, and is understood […]

Coronavirus: Schools and councils step up to feed pupils over Easter

Schools, councils and academy trusts are delving into their own finances to make sure poorer pupils stuck at home during Easter continue to get free meals. The Department for Education finally launched a national scheme this week to provide £15 weekly vouchers for pupils entitled to free school meals. Our conclusion was that it’s our […]

Coronavirus: Schools will rank GCSE and A-level pupils within grades

Schools will rank their GCSE and A-level pupils within each grade under a new system of assessment drawn up for this summer. Following the announcement that all exams this academic year have been cancelled due to the coronavirus, Ofqual has released details of the standardised assessment process that will take their place. Guidance released by […]

Coronavirus: An explainer on how grades will be awarded this summer

Ofqual has revealed how pupils will be assessed for GCSE and A-level qualifications this summer, following the cancellation of exams. The exams regulator has published guidance for schools, along with separate guidance for teachers and a letter to pupils. Here’s our explainer on how it will all work… 1. Schools must provide a grade […]