Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

Coronavirus: Committee of MPs to probe DfE’s response to disease

The response of the Department for Education to the coronavirus outbreak and the impact of the disease on schools will be investigated by an influential committee of MPs. The parliamentary education committee has launched an inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on education and children’s services. It follows criticism of the government’s support for schools […]

Coronavirus: Heads expect ‘better’ safety guidance

The NAHT headteachers’ union has said it expects the government to publish “better” safety guidance for schools after vague advice was circulated last night. The new guidance on implementing social distancing in education and childcare settings, published by the Department for Education and Public Health England, has been criticised for telling leaders little that they […]

Coronavirus: Pay suppliers ‘as normal’, government tells schools

Schools should continue to pay their suppliers “as normal” even if their service delivery is disrupted or suspended by coronavirus, the government has said. New guidance for public bodies sets out how organisations like schools, local authorities and academy trusts can continue to keep the supply chain moving and protect jobs outside their gates. The […]

Coronavirus: Universities warned over rush to unconditional offers

The universities regulator has said it will use “any powers available” to prevent institutions from switching pupils’ offers to unconditional in the wake of the government’s cancellation of this summer’s exam series. It would be quite wrong for any university or college to respond to the coronavirus crisis by making unconditional offers Following the announcement last […]

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 – […]