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25 April 2026

Tag: coronavirus

Coronavirus: Too early to say when schools will reopen, says government science adviser

It is too early to say when schools will reopen, the government’s deputy chief scientific adviser has said. Professor Angela McLean (pictured) told today’s Downing Street press briefing that it would be “completely premature” for her to provide a definitive answer on whether schools would reopen to all pupils before the summer holidays. It follows […]

Coronavirus: Concerns as school pupils seek supermarket jobs

Pupils who believe they have already passed their GCSEs and A-levels and have been trying to get supermarket and “gig economy” jobs before the end of the school year, a prominent school leader has warned. Martyn Oliver, chief executive of the Outwood Grange Academies Trust, said participation in online learning among year 11s and year […]

Coronavirus: Special QTS arrangements do not give trainees ‘free pass’

Trainee teachers must not receive a “free pass” under the new system for awarding qualified teacher status, new guidance has warned. The Department for Education has published new advice for initial teacher training providers, which expands on a policy statement issued last month. School closures and social distancing rules implemented by the government have led […]

Safeguarding fears over DfE’s list of online resources

The Department for Education has today released a list of free online resources to aid pupils’ learning as they work from home during the COVID-19 lockdown.  However education suppliers have criticised the “lack of tender process” for the list – adding they are not aware of any “checks on resilience, safeguarding, data protection or other […]

DfE says Easter holiday FSM funding is one-off

The government has announced it will reimburse schools that have paid for free school meals for children out of school over the Easter break – but the support won’t be rolled-out over future holiday periods. In updated guidance released today the Department for Education has stated “free school meals should be offered to eligible pupils […]

Coronavirus: School closures play ‘marginal’ role in containing COVID-19

School closures will only have a “marginal” impact in containing the spread of COVID-19, according to a new study. A review led by University College London and published today in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health found school closures “do not appear to have a significant effect on the spread of infections during coronavirus outbreaks […]

Schools offer to stay open until 9.30pm to support key workers

Schools in one region are offering to operate between 6am and 9.30pm to provide care for children of key workers as “pressure ramps up” during the coronavirus pandemic.  Across Stoke-on-Trent, 10 of the city’s 100 schools have lengthened their opening hours from today to provide safe care for children of NHS workers, firefighters and police.  […]

Coronavirus: Admission appeal panels could be held by phone or video call

The government is considering allowing admission appeals to be heard by telephone or video call, after a senior official said appeal panels should not meet during the coronavirus outbreak. In a letter to councils, national schools commissioner Dominic Herrington said that “given the current restrictions we do not consider it is sensible to go ahead with […]