Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

Coronavirus: Schools ‘should be able to claim’ for cancelled trips, says insurers’ body

Schools “should be able to claim” for cancelled trips abroad, the body that represents insurance companies has said, after the government advised the public to avoid all non-essential international travel. Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, told Parliament today that he had “taken the decision to advise British nationals against non-essential travel, globally, for an initial […]

Watch: We’ll close schools if it’s in ‘best interests’ of children and teachers, says Williamson

The government will close schools if medical and science advice tells ministers it is in the best interests of children and teachers, Gavin Williamson has said. The education secretary has released a video, in which he seeks to reassure headteachers about the government’s work to support them, and thanks staff for their “ongoing cooperation at […]

Top DfE boss: Our cost-cutting consultants found £10m savings in UTCs

Government cost-saving consultants have been parachuted into most of the country’s university technical colleges to help them tackle soaring deficits, it has been revealed. Jonathan Slater, the Department for Education’s top civil servant, told MPs on the public accounts committee today that school resource management advisers had identified around £10 million of savings in 33 […]

Coronavirus: Leadership unions say school closures ‘likely’ after DfE crunch talks

The general secretaries of England’s two school leadership unions have said it is “likely that a number of schools will have to close”, following a meeting with ministers. Geoff Barton, the leader of ASCL and Paul Whiteman, who heads up the NAHT, said they had had a “very productive meeting” with education secretary Gavin Williamson […]

Coronavirus: School closures ‘may be necessary’ over staff shortages, says PHE

Public Health England has updated its guidance for schools, warning it “may be necessary” to close schools if staff isolation due to coronavirus causes “operational issues”. Until this morning, the organisation’s official advice stated that there was “no need” to close schools or send learners or staff home, even if they had a suspected case. […]

Coronavirus: #covid19walkout trending as leaders attend DfE crunch talks

Parents across England have pledged to remove their children from schools if they are not closed soon, as leadership unions and academy representatives prepare to meet ministers for coronavirus crunch talks. The hashtag #covid19walkout is trending on twitter, with many parents saying they will take matters into their own hands following the government’s decision last […]

Coronavirus: Suspend Ofsted inspections now, says Barton

The leader of the ASCL headteachers’ union has joined calls for the government to immediately suspend Ofsted inspections, as schools’ response to the coronavirus is ramped up. Geoff Barton told the union’s annual conference in Birmingham today that he “calling on the government to call a halt to all routine inspections”, amid concerns that they […]

Coronavirus: Spielman to preside over inspection deferral decisions

The chief inspector of schools will personally sign off any decision not to defer Ofsted inspections of schools affected by coronavirus, it has been announced. Sean Harford, the watchdog’s national director of education, told the ASCL conference today that Ofsted will “look very favourably” on any requests for deferral as a result of coronavirus. Requests […]

Coronavirus: Ofsted says inspections may be deferred

Ofsted will talk to headteachers before inspections to work out if the impact of coronavirus warrants a deferral to a later date, new guidance states. The watchdog has issued advice to schools, stating that the impact of coronavirus could be considered an “exceptional circumstance” warranting a postponement. Ofsted sparked anger earlier when the inspectorate tweeted […]