coronavirus | Schools Week

Coronavirus: Schools and LAs should ‘work together’, and 5 other key points from the latest DfE guidance

Further guidance on temporary closures during the coronavirus outbreak has been provided to schools. The update provides advice to schools on a range of issues, and follows the decision last week to close all schools to most pupils from today. However, sector leaders have pointed out it is still vague on many issues. Here are […]

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 […]

DfE reveals how it will provide grades for pupils this summer

The government has confirmed it will use teacher assessments to provide calculated grades for pupils this year. The aim is to provide grades to students before the end of July. They will be “indistinguishable from those provided in other years”, and pupils will have a chance to resit an exam if they don’t think the […]

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: DfE will bus vulnerable and key worker pupils to other schools if theirs can’t stay open

It will be “impossible” for some schools to remain open for vulnerable pupils and children of key workers, the government has admitted. In new guidance for parents, the Department for Education said pupils at schools that can’t stay open due to staff shortages will attend neighbouring schools. And the government will also “provide transport arrangements” […]

Coronavirus: Government finally defines ‘key workers’ and vulnerable pupils

The government has finally set out which children will be eligible to continue to attend schools in England from Monday. Headteachers have waited for this information for more than 24 hours, since Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, announced plans to shut schools to most pupils from this afternoon (Friday). Only children of key workers – […]

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: List of ‘key workers’ delayed until Friday, says health secretary

A list of roles considered to be “key workers” will not be published until tomorrow, the health secretary has confirmed. Matthew Hancock told BBC Question Time tonight that the list, which will determine which pupils schools have to cater-for from Monday, will be published on Friday. This is despite a pledge by Gavin Williamson, the […]

Coronavirus: Schools may have to prioritise remaining pupils ‘according to need’, warns NAHT

Schools may have to “prioritise according to need” when admitting vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers next week, it has been warned, as leaders wait on further details of the government’s closure plans. The National Association of Headteachers has said it is seeking guidance from the government on how schools with capacity concerns […]