boris johnson | Schools Week

Reassure parents about safety of schools if you want them to return to work, heads tell PM

The government must reassure parents it is safe for their children to return to school if it wants people to return to work, a headteachers’ union has said. Boris Johnson announced today that the government will be relaxing its “work from home” advice from August 1, allowing employers to decide whether to ask staff to […]

Johnson: Schools will return in September ‘with full attendance’

Schools will reopen with “full attendance” in September, the prime minister has said, as he announced a relaxation of social distancing rules in England. Boris Johnson told the House of Commons today that “primary and secondary education will recommence in September with full attendance”, adding that “those children who can already go to school, should […]

Coronavirus: Over 1 in 10 secondary schools set to defy government’s June 15 reopening plan

More than one in ten secondary schools look set to ignore government calls to begin reopening to year 10 and 12 pupils next week. A poll by Teacher Tapp found that although over 70 per cent of state secondary school staff reported their school would open more widely next week, 13 per cent said they […]

Coronavirus: 50% oppose back-to-school plans as trust in government slumps

The government’s plan for the wider reopening of schools from today is opposed by half of Britons, a new survey shows. It comes as headteachers estimate between 40 to 70 per cent of eligible pupils have returned to school today, while education secretary Gavin Williamson told schools there is “no reason” why they shouldn’t take […]

Coronavirus: Reopening on June 1 ‘may not be possible for all schools’ admits Johnson

Reopening schools to pupils in reception, year 1 and year 6 “may not be possible for all schools”, Boris Johnson has admitted. The prime minister also announced that the government does not expect secondary schools to start providing face-to-face support for year 10 and 12 pupils until June 15, two weeks later than ministers initially […]

Coronavirus: Test, track and trace system ‘will be in place by June 1’ says Boris Johnson

The government’s test, track and trace system will be in place by June 1, Boris Johnson has said. Government scientists said yesterday that reopening schools was reliant on such a system being in place, following reports the scheme was delayed. Asked by opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer if the system would be in place by […]

Poorer pupils ‘would miss out under PM’s school funding pledge’

Disadvantaged pupils would miss out on additional money under the prime minister’s pledge to “level up” per-pupil funding for schools, new analysis reveals. The Education Policy Institute found Boris Johnson’s plans for new minimum per-pupil funding levels “would disproportionately direct additional funding towards the least disadvantaged schools”. Johnson vowed to increase levels of funding from […]