coronavirus | Schools Week

Ofsted’s autumn SEND ‘visits’ could prompt school inspections

Inspections of local area SEND provision could prompt emergency visits to individual schools if “serious concerns” emerge, Ofsted has said. In July it was announced that full SEND inspections, normally conducted across whole council areas by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission, would not go ahead in the autumn. Interim visits would be carried out […]

Use existing Covid cash for educational psychologist boost, councils told

Councils will have to use existing funding to pay for extra educational psychologists to help pupils readjust to school. The Department for Education this week called for recently retired educational psychologists, or those still working but with capacity, to make themselves known to councils to assist with pupil wellbeing as schooling resumes. However, when pressed […]

Council wants schools to ‘prepare’ for Ofsted visits

A council in the south of England is insisting schools consider “adequate preparation plans” ahead of Ofsted’s autumn “visits”, despite reassurances from the inspectorate that no preparation is needed. Unions say the action by West Sussex confirms school leaders’ fears that the “visits” will create extra pressure and work for staff trying to get back […]

Head’s ‘fury’ as vulnerable kids miss out due to PPE issues

A headteacher is “furious” after having to tell parents of pupils with complex medical needs that they must stay at home because of a struggle to source appropriate protective equipment. The Department for Education (DfE) is being urged to clarify arrangements for children who require specialist care, such as those with chronic lung disease, so […]

TV star and celeb GP hired for ‘back-to-school’ promo

Ministers have come under fire for paying a television presenter up to an estimated £15,000 for social media posts promoting the government’s back-to-school campaign. Kirsty Gallacher used her Twitter and Instagram accounts to “reassure parents on the changes and safety measures in place at schools”. There’s a point where you wonder whether the government is […]

Covid-19: Ofsted rebukes school that did not contact pupils ‘frequently enough’

Ofsted has accused one of the largest special schools in the country of failing to contact its pupils often enough during partial closures – leaving children “at risk of harm”. The watchdog said safeguarding arrangements at Severndale Specialist Academy in Shrewsbury were “not effective” after an emergency inspection in July. The “no formal designation” inspection […]

1 in 10 pupils has not returned to school, Boris Johnson admits

More than 1 in 10 pupils have not returned to school yet, the prime minister has revealed. Boris Johnson told today’s Downing Street press briefing that “something like 89 per cent of pupils are back in school”, indicating that around 11 per cent are not. Most schools across England have now fully reopened to schools, […]

DfE seeks retired educational psychologists to support returning pupils

The government wants retired educational psychologists to return to work to help support children returning to school. The Department for Education is inviting former educational psychologists who “may be interested in temporarily returning to the profession”, and those still practicing who have additional capacity for temporary support to express interest. It follows warnings from psychologists […]

Schools given days to confirm autumn A-level resit venues

Schools requiring alternative venues for autumn A-level resits have less than two weeks to secure them and inform exam boards, the government has confirmed. In updated guidance issued this week, the Department for Education told schools and colleges to notify the Joint Council for Qualification’s centre inspection service by September 18 if they intend to […]