Author: John Dickens

Ofqual’s chief regulator has told ministers she wants to compensate pupils for the pandemic’s “baleful” impact on their schooling with “more generous” national performance standards in next year’s exams and beyond. In a letter to the government published today, Dame Glenys Stacey said it was “important” that the regulator recognised “in every way possible” the […]

The government issued guidance on the eve of the national lockdown for schools – here’s what you need to know. 1. Face mask requirement for secondaries Pupils and staff in all schools where year 7 and above are educated should wear face masks when “moving around the premises, outside of classrooms, such as in corridors […]

The government’s chief medical officer told MPs today that teaching isn’t a “high risk” occupation, following questions over whether schools should stay open during the new national lockdown. However, Professor Chris Whitty didn’t answer whether he believes the R rate – the transmission of the coronavirus – will be able to fall below 1 with […]

Ofsted has confirmed it will undertake school visits “remotely” during the national lockdown. In a Twitter post this evening, the inspectorate said the programme of autumn visits across school and colleges will be done remotely from Thursday. The post added: “During the national lockdown we will undertake our work remotely where we can – only […]

The government has bought a further 100,000 laptops for schools – but headteachers have seen their allocations slashed by around 80 per cent to ensure the stock lasts longer. The Department for Education told schools today the new approach, to be introduced after half term, will ensure “allocations are more effectively targeted to the children, […]

The academies minister has urged trust boards to “nurture” members who could step up to replace chairs. Speaking at a governance conference on Tuesday, Baroness Berridge (pictured) said succession planning was “essential to ensuring continuity of leadership”. A government-commissioned report published earlier this month found “succession planning was not commonly happening, with individuals generally being […]

The operators of commercial facilities run from the site of the former Durand Academy in south London want about £3 million in compensation to return them to public hands – and believe they will win a legal challenge to get it. The Durand Education Trust (DET), which still owns a leisure centre and accommodation on […]

The government has intervened to urge parents not to take the decision to remove their children from school “lightly” after councils across England reported soaring increases in elective home education (EHE) registrations. Elective home education is when a child is permanently removed from a school’s roll to be educated at home. It is different from […]