coronavirus | Schools Week

Coronavirus: 4 in 10 primary schools did not take more pupils on June 1, says NEU

More than four in 10 primary schools ignored government pleas to reopen more widely to pupils on Monday, England’s largest teaching union has said. A survey of National Education Union members representing almost 11,000 primary and all-through schools found that 44 per cent reported their school opted to remain open only to vulnerable pupils and […]

Coronavirus: Unions report academy trust to health and safety watchdog over ‘unsafe’ return of pupils

One of England’s largest academy trusts has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive over allegations it put employees and pupils at “serious and imminent risk” by allowing more pupils to return too early. The David Ross Education Trust (DRET) has also been accused of failing to inform staff at one of its schools […]

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: Schools expected to deliver food parcels when more pupils return

Schools will be expected to make food parcels available for delivery or collection instead of using the national voucher scheme when more pupils go back from Monday. Prime minister Boris Johnson has confirmed schools can begin a phased reopening from Monday as the government’s five tests on the coronavirus outbreak were being met. In updated […]

Coronavirus: £500m for ‘civic army’ of school leavers would reduce mass redundancy risk

The government should spend £500 million paying a “civic army” of school leavers for six months to stave off mass redundancy risks for youngsters, a group including academy trusts has said. The “Community Leadership Academy” would involve 75,000 disadvantaged young people under the age of 25 being given the opportunity to work for six months […]

£300m for councils to help contain local coronavirus outbreaks in schools

A new £300m funding package has been made available to local authorities to help contain coronavirus outbreaks, including in schools. It comes as the Department for Education is set to confirm tomorrow if schools can begin a phased reopening on June 1, with scientists saying a test and trace initiative is key for those plans. […]

DfE U-turn on half-term free meal vouchers is ‘far too late’

The government’s u-turn to fund free school meal vouchers during the half-term comes “far too late” and has caused “worry and confusion” for families living in poverty, Labour has said. Schools minister Nick Gibb revealed during an education committee hearing this morning that the government would now fund free meal vouchers over the May half-term. […]

Speed read: DfE publishes guidance for secondary schools on June 15 reopening plan

The Department for Education has published guidance for secondary schools about the return of pupils next month. It comes after the prime minister, Boris Johnson, confirmed the government was pushing back the date it expects secondaries to start to provide face-to-face support for year 10 and 12 pupils, from June 1 to June 15. Here’s […]

Coronavirus: ‘Significant gap’ in advice for schools to protect BAME staff

A network representing black, Asian and minority ethnic education staff has published its own guidance to help schools prepare for the impact of coronavirus on ethnic minority groups. BAMEed said it had identified a “significant gap” in guidance provided by the government and other bodies in terms of advice on how schools should act to […]