John Dickens | Schools Week

More confusion after DfE U-turn means schools now ‘required’ to offer mass testing

Schools will now be “required” to roll-out mass testing, education secretary Gavin Williamson said this morning, causing further confusion after the government’s botched back-to-school announcement. Schools had been told those who wanted to could offer testing for their pupils from next week. This was “optional, but strongly encouraged”, the Department for Education said earlier this […]

Revealed: The areas where primary schools will be closed for two weeks

The government announced today primary schools in Covid hotspots would only re-open on-site provision for vulnerable and key worker children. All other children will get remote learning. Here’s the full list of areas: London Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley Brent Bromley Croydon Ealing Enfield Hammersmith and Fulham Havering Hillingdon Hounslow Kensington and Chelsea Merton […]

Primaries in worst-hit tier 4 regions to stay closed, further delays for secondary confirmed

Primary schools in a “small number” of tier 4 areas with the highest infection rates will be closed to all but vulnerable and key workers’ children – but details of which areas have not yet been revealed. Education secretary Gavin Williamson said today the majority of primaries will open as planned on Monday January 4. […]

A 7-step plan for running mass testing in schools

Over the past few weeks, three of our schools, all hard-hit by covid-related absence in the autumn term, participated in a pilot to administer rapid lateral flow tests to pupils and staff. We set up at short notice, with little initial guidance, and it was logistically demanding work. Here’s what we learned… 1. Use […]

Mass testing plan ‘may do more harm than good’, council tells schools

A council has told its schools not to rush into rolling out mass testing because “hastily” putting together plans without having “sufficient time to prepare may ultimately do more harm than good”. In a letter sent to schools yesterday, seen by Schools Week, East Sussex council and the public health director for the area says […]

£78m confirmed for mass testing support, but warning over missed cases

A government official has admitted rapid tests due to be rolled out in schools next month can provide both false positives and negatives, amid growing concerns about the effectiveness of mass testing to keep more pupils in the classroom. School leaders were also told in a webinar led by Department for Education officials today that […]

Ofqual forms new data expert group to help ‘rebuild trust’ after 2020 exams fiasco

Ofqual has established a new expert group to prise open secrecy surrounding data on how exam grades are awarded and “rebuild trust in the system”. The group will be led by Professor Julius Weinberg, a former Ofqual chair, who said there is a “perception that the system does not work properly and that there is […]

New Ofqual chief promises to work with sector for ‘smooth-running’ exams next year

The new interim chief regulator at Ofqual has promised to work with the sector to ensure the “smooth-running” of exams next year, as well as supporting “innovation” in assessment. It was confirmed today that Simon Lebus will replace Dame Glenys Stacey from January 1, and will stay in post until September 17. Schools Week revealed […]

65 pupils and staff to isolate on Xmas day at school refused early closure after flurry of cases

Sixty-five pupils and staff from a school forced to abandon plans to close early after legal threats from the government will now have to isolate on Christmas day after a flurry of cases. Helen Rowland, chief executive of the Focus Trust, said she is “very concerned for the welfare of the isolating staff who live […]