John Dickens | Schools Week

Speed read: 6 schools findings from the government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy

The government has published its coronavirus “recovery strategy”. There’s very little by way of detail for schools, and further education-specific guidance is expected later today. But here’s what we know. 1. Schools should urge more vulnerable pupils to attend The rate of infection remains “too high to allow the reopening of schools for all […]

Unions: national track and trace scheme needed before schools reopen

Education unions have demanded schools can not reopen until a national coronavirus track and trace scheme is rolled out. In a joint letter to education secretary Gavin Williamson, the Trades Union Congress said parents and staff need “full confidence that schools will be safe before they return”. The letter (full text below) outlined “key principles” […]

Edenred’s national voucher scheme contract worth up to £234m, new documents reveal

The company running the government’s free school meal national voucher scheme was aware before its launch that as many as 1.3 million children may need vouchers, new documents reveal. The disclosure challenges ministers’ claims that the national scheme was overwhelmed because of “unprecedented demand”, leaving families going weeks without support. This poses some important questions […]

Ofqual not budging on plan for private candidates despite schools’ ‘reluctance’ to offer grades

Pleas from parents of private candidates – such as home-schooled pupils – for changes to this year’s grading system so their children don’t miss out have been rejected by Ofqual. During a consultation on this year’s calculated grade system, “many” private candidates told the regulator of a “reluctance” from their exam centres to provide an […]

£100m to buy university land for new schools, and 3 more support package measures

The government has today announced new measures aimed at stabilising university admissions this autumn and ensure “students are safeguarded at a time of unprecedented uncertainty”. Here’s what you need to know. 1. New powers to stop ‘exploitative’ admission practices Universities caught pressuring students to take places, or offering incentives such as free laptops, face […]

Former national schools commissioner joins AET board

A former national schools commissioner has been appointed to the board of one of the country’s largest academy trusts. Sir David Carter is one of three new trustees appointed by the Academies Enterprise Trust, alongside academic Professor Becky Francis who has joined in an adviser role. Carter was national commissioner when the trust was stripped […]

Boris Johnson will set out ‘comprehensive’ plan for school reopenings next week

Prime minister Boris Johnson has promised he will set out a “comprehensive plan” next week to explain how “we can get our children back to school”. Johnson, speaking at the daily briefing today, said that “for the first time we are past the peak of this disease. We’re on the downward slope.” He added: “I […]

How to take part: the Schools Week Big Schools Quiz

Fed up of lockdown? Fancy getting that brain back into gear? Want to nerd out with some other education folk? We’re excited to announce that the first ever Schools Week Big Schools Quiz will take place next Weds (May 6). Hosted by former national schools commissioner Sir David Carter, the quiz is all about bringing […]

DfE letting ‘families suffer’ by ignoring help on national free meal voucher scheme

The government has been lambasted for allowing families to “suffer” by an edtech firm whose offer to help deliver free meal vouchers alongside the overwhelmed national scheme was ignored. Schools Week revealed last week that the Department for Education had not responded to offers from Wonde to help ensure families in poverty were receiving vouchers […]