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After COVID-19, we must finally remember the forgotten third

The pandemic has forced us to reinvent how we award grades but far more fundamental questions about our exam system need to be answered, writes Roy Blatchford There was a time Before Coronavirus (BC), though it already seems months ago. We are all armchair critics and soothsayers now. None of us can be right or […]

More action is required quickly for thousands of ‘invisible’ children

Schools are doing an amazing job for the nation’s vulnerable children but many are invisible and government needs to do more ot dentify them before it’s too late, writes Layla Moran We are in a national emergency, facing unprecedented challenges and dangers. While that applies to us all throughout this coronavirus pandemic, I’m most concerned […]

Analysis: can exam invigilators be furloughed?

Questions remain over whether exam invigilators can be furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). Phillip Reynolds and Louise Brenlund offer some advice The answer to whether invigilators can be furloughed will largely rest on whether they are employed via an agency or directly by a school under a zero hours contract. The […]

Some clarification but question marks still surround furloughing scheme

Mismatches between guidance and direction and continual reissues of guidance documents are contributing to a sense of chaos around the furloughing scheme, writes Jane Hallas. Here’s what we know we know and what we know we don’t Back when I was a lecturer, I would tell my students that there was rarely a “yes” or […]

A testament to teachers in testing times

Teachers seldom get the thanks they deserve, but what do you think this is, Dead Poets’ Society? Sixth former, Kate Grimsdale stands on her desk to express her gratitude Can I ask you, just for a second, to try and forget the madness that is going on around you and put yourself in the moment? […]

Gypsy and Traveller education suffers from irresponsible programming like this

Under the guise of investigation, last night’s Channel 4 programme only further stoked the kind of stereotypes that see Gypsy and Traveller children miss out on school, writes Ellie Mulcahy “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding happened and all those children that had [said they were Gypsies] were bullied. My own children were bullied remorselessly.” So […]

There is only one clear path to reopening schools

Letting our hopes of returning to school get the better of our reasoning about doing it safely only risks putting back the date we can reopen, writes Mary Bousted There has been too much loose talk lately. Yesterday, one MAT CEO wrote in these pages that schools should lead the way out of lockdown and […]

Transforming teacher performance management is within reach

This year’s demise of public exams is forcing a rethink on teacher appraisal and could transform performance management for good, according to the Teacher Development Trust In a year where there will be no exam results and very limited internal data, we have a golden opportunity to redesign our national approach to performance management. A […]

Supporting parent-teachers: five lessons from home schooling

Colin Diamond sets out five lessons from home schooling to help schools support parents to be the best teachers they can be during lockdown Schools responded quickly to the initial implications of lockdown, but as we settle into what is likely to be a protracted period of home learning, new and important questions are coming […]