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17 April 2026

Author: Schools Week Reporter

Rapid Covid-19 tests to be rolled out in all secondary schools from January

Rapid-result coronavirus tests will be rolled out to all secondary schools and colleges across England from January, the government has confirmed. In an announcement today, the government said the rollout means pupils won’t need to self-isolate if one of their number tests positive, providing they agree to daily testing. Schools Week revealed yesterday that such […]

Exams can’t be moved online in the ‘immediate future’, concludes Ofqual study

Large-scale standardised tests can’t be moved online in the “immediate future”, Ofqual has said, after a review found inconsistencies in school IT provision and unreliable internet connections. The study published by the exams regulator today follows the suggestion from some quarters that online or on-screen assessments be lined up as an alternative for pupils who […]

Reduction in self-isolation period for Covid-19 contacts: What it means for schools

The number of days that close contacts of confirmed coronavirus cases need to self-isolate for has been reduced from 14 to 10 – including for school pupils and staff. In a joint statement from the four nations’ chief medical officers on Friday, they said after reviewing the evidence they are “confident that we can reduce […]

Mass testing in London, Essex and Kent schools: Everything you need to know

The government has given more details on how its mass testing programme in London, Essex and Kent secondary schools will be rolled out. Health secretary Matt Hancock announced last night that government had “decided to put in place an immediate plan for testing all secondary school age children in the seven worst-affected areas of London, […]

Former Cambridge Assessment chief set for interim Ofqual role

A former exams company chief executive is set to replace Dame Glenys Stacey as the chief regulator at Ofqual, Schools Week understands. Simon Lebus is being lined up to take over the top position at the exams regulator as Stacey’s interim period comes to end on December 31. Lebus served as the group chief executive […]

Ofqual launches 10-day consultation on advance topics for 2021 exams

Ofqual is seeking views on its plans to release advance notice of topics ahead of exams next year, suggesting the information should not be so detailed that a student could memorise an answer. In a 10-day consultation launched today, the exams regulator has set out three principles on how it thinks the advance topics plan […]

Dame Glenys Stacey on the 2021 exams: 8 things we learnt

Ofqual’s interim chief regulator Dame Glenys Stacey was quizzed by MPs this morning on the plans for exams next year. It comes as the government announced extra measures last week for students, including more generous grades and advance notice of topics. We take a look at some of the key points from the education select committee… […]

Attendance league tables will be ‘relief map of pandemic’

Ranking schools in league tables based on their attendance will just become a “relief map of the pandemic”, one head has warned. The government announced this week that exam results will not be included in league tables this year. It won’t be a league table, it’ll be a relief map of the pandemic Instead, the […]