Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

Coronavirus: NEU demands virus testing for all school staff

Britain’s largest teaching union has demanded coronavirus testing of all staff working in schools. The National Education Union has also insisted staff who are vulnerable themselves or have vulnerable family members at home should not have to attend school. The union also wants “coherent rotas for those who continue to go to their place of […]

Coronavirus: Schools and LAs should ‘work together’, and 5 other key points from the latest DfE guidance

Further guidance on temporary closures during the coronavirus outbreak has been provided to schools. The update provides advice to schools on a range of issues, and follows the decision last week to close all schools to most pupils from today. However, sector leaders have pointed out it is still vague on many issues. Here are […]

UTC turns the tables and comes to the aid of a MAT

A north-west England university technical college has become the latest of its type to move towards joining a multi-academy trust – but this time the tables have turned. The leader of UTC Warrington, Lee Barber, has been appointed by the North West Academies Trust (NWAT) to be the interim headteacher of Rudheath Senior Academy, following […]

Coronavirus: DfE will bus vulnerable and key worker pupils to other schools if theirs can’t stay open

It will be “impossible” for some schools to remain open for vulnerable pupils and children of key workers, the government has admitted. In new guidance for parents, the Department for Education said pupils at schools that can’t stay open due to staff shortages will attend neighbouring schools. And the government will also “provide transport arrangements” […]

Coronavirus: Government finally defines ‘key workers’ and vulnerable pupils

The government has finally set out which children will be eligible to continue to attend schools in England from Monday. Headteachers have waited for this information for more than 24 hours, since Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, announced plans to shut schools to most pupils from this afternoon (Friday). Only children of key workers – […]

Coronavirus: List of ‘key workers’ delayed until Friday, says health secretary

A list of roles considered to be “key workers” will not be published until tomorrow, the health secretary has confirmed. Matthew Hancock told BBC Question Time tonight that the list, which will determine which pupils schools have to cater-for from Monday, will be published on Friday. This is despite a pledge by Gavin Williamson, the […]

Coronavirus: Schools may have to prioritise remaining pupils ‘according to need’, warns NAHT

Schools may have to “prioritise according to need” when admitting vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers next week, it has been warned, as leaders wait on further details of the government’s closure plans. The National Association of Headteachers has said it is seeking guidance from the government on how schools with capacity concerns […]

Coronavirus: GCSEs and A-levels will be based on ‘moderated assessment’, says CST leader

GCSEs and A-levels grades will be awarded “on the basis of moderated assessment” this year following the cancellation of summer exams, a sector leader familiar with the government’s plans has told headteachers. Leora Cruddas, the chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, told members of her organisation in an email last night that she […]

Coronavirus: Issue food parcels or supermarket vouchers to free school meals pupils, DfE tells schools

Schools should work with catering providers or local authorities to provide food parcels or send out supermarket vouchers to pupils eligible for free school meals who are affected by coronavirus. The Department for Education has sent out new guidance for schools this morning on how to support pupils eligible for means-tested meals who are either […]