Schools Week Reporter | Schools Week

Pupil numbers set to fall 5.2% over the next decade, DfE predicts

The number of pupils in state-funded schools is expected to drop by 5.2 per cent over the next decade, new statistics show. Pupil projection data published by the Department for Education today states the overall population of state schools is expected to decrease by 408,000 to about 7.3 million by 2030. The figures show that […]

Pearson considering using markers to be part of national tutoring programme

An exam board is scoping out whether to redeploy its markers as tutors so it can get involved in the government’s £1 billion catch-up plans. Pearson has contacted examiners they identified with “appropriate skills and experience” to “explore” whether the board could be part of the programme. Of the £1bn catch-up funding announced by the […]

Re-engage vulnerable teens to prevent ‘lost generation’, says children’s commissioner

Schools must work with councils and the police to prevent the creation of a “lost generation” of teenagers, the children’s commissioner has said, after a report found 1 in 25 young people are at risk of “falling through the gaps”. Anne Longfield said public bodies should focus resources on re-engaging teenagers most at risk of […]

‘Significant number’ of pupils will likely mix on school transport, warns EPI

There is currently “no credible solution” to the problem of year group bubbles mixing with other pupils while travelling to and from school, a think tank has said. The Education Policy Institute warned today that a “significant number of pupils” are likely to mix with pupils from other year groups – and even other schools […]

Leicester’s Covid-19 response thwarted by poor data

Leicester council’s education director has said they have still do not have a breakdown by age of the children who have been infected with covid-19. The admission comes despite the city becoming the first local lockdown earlier this week amid rising case numbers, and highlights again how regional responses to outbreaks are being hindered by […]

DfE looks to 2012 Olympics for inspiration on school transport plans

The government has told schools to look to the 2012 Olympics for inspiration on how to transport children to school from September. New Department for Education guidance on the reopening of schools claims London’s hosting of the event showed it was possible to make a “very real difference” to travel patterns. The capital introduced “games […]

Coronavirus: DfE reveals lockdown rules for Leicester schools

The Department for Education has revealed its local lockdown rules for schools in Leicester ahead of them closing from tomorrow (Thursday). The city and surrounding areas have seen lockdown measures come back into place due to a rise in coronavirus cases, including the government advising against all non-essential travel to, from and within the defined […]

Coronavirus: Support for SEND children has ‘dropped off a cliff’, experts warn

Support for children with special education needs has “dropped off a cliff” after the government relaxed rules around education, health and care plans during coronavirus, experts have claimed. The education committee also heard today that schools are using “spurious reasons” to prevent pupils with special education needs from returning to school. MP Robert Halfon, chair […]

Coronavirus: Autumn series grades to be based only on exams, Ofqual confirms

Pupils performance in this year’s autumn exam series will be based on pupil performance in the tests alone, not on any non-exam assessment, Ofqual has confirmed. The exams regulator has published its decisions following a consultation on the autumn series, which will allow students who are not happy with their summer calculated grades to sit […]