Schools Week Reporter | Schools Week

School absence fines rise again as landmark court ruling continues to have an impact

The number of fines issued for poor school attendance have continued to increase sharply following a landmark Supreme Court ruling on the matter, new figures have revealed. In 2018-19, the number of these notices issued to parents has increased by 28 per cent to 333,400, up from 260,900 in 2017-18. In the previous year’s data, […]

Unauthorised absence rate remains at highest since records began

Unauthorised pupil absence rates have remained at the highest since records began over a decade ago, new figures show. While the overall absence rate has slightly decreased, driven by a drop in authorised absences, the rate of unauthorised remained at 1.4 per cent in 2018-19, the same as the year before. This is the highest […]

Coronavirus: Children’s minister claims relaxing SEND support rules ‘strikes right balance’

New emergency powers that “relax” requirements on councils to provide support for SEND pupils “strike the right balance in difficult times”, the government has said. The proposed coronavirus bill states councils won’t be penalised for failing to provide support outlined in pupils’ education, health and care plans (EHCPs) as long as they show “reasonable endeavours” […]

Coronavirus: How schools have dealt with day one of mass closures

Schools saw a “manageable” number of pupils arrive at their doors today as they begin to adjust to a new way of working, as parents “heeded calls” to keep their children at home unless they had no other option. But things did not go as smoothly elsewhere – with leaders reporting the requirement to submit […]

Primary school headteacher dies after having coronavirus symptoms

Tributes have been paid to an “incredible” primary school headteacher who died after being diagnosed with coronavirus. Wendy Jacobs, head of Roose Community Primary School, in Cumbria, passed away on Sunday. She had tested positive for coronavirus and had been in intensive care in hospital. In a statement released to national newspapers, Jacobs’ family said: “On […]

Coronavirus: Government will move staff to keep ‘majority’ of special schools open

The government wants to keep the “majority” of special schools open amid the coronavirus crisis, and will move staff into those with shortages if necessary to avoid closure. Some schools with highly vulnerable pupils shut this week after government guidance on Monday stated people with underlying health issues should observe social distancing, with staff also […]

Coronavirus: How schools are stepping up to keep disadvantaged pupils fed

At a time of uncertainty and lack of clarity from the top, many school leaders have been sharing ideas on how to keep disadvantaged pupils fed, ahead of today’s coronavirus school shutdown. Schools this week took the lead to ensure poorer pupils are provided with free school meals, with staff providing food hampers and buying […]

Coronavirus: Special school leaders should make decision about pupils attending

Heads at special schools should make decisions about whether their pupils should attend school on a “case by case” basis, according to the government. Some of these schools, which have highly vulnerable pupils, were already beginning to close earlier this week after Monday’s guidance around social distancing for the vulnerable and dwindling staff numbers. However, […]

Coronavirus: Scammers trying to dupe free school meals families

Parents have been receiving scam emails suggesting their children’s school is closing and requesting bank details to pay for free school meals. Durham Constabulary warned schools about the fraud today posting online: “Parents are receiving emails suggesting schools are closing & all pupils are being given free meals followed by a request for bank details […]