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25 April 2026

Tag: coronavirus

Coronavirus: DfE tells heads to ‘be pragmatic’ on non-isolation absences

The Department for Education is leaving it up to heads to decide whether to authorise absences for pupils who are not in self-isolation, telling them to “be pragmatic” and consult with families. Updated guidance on how to record absences was sent to schools yesterday, just a day after initial guidance on the matter was released. […]

Coronavirus: Specialist schools with highly vulnerable pupils decide to close

A number of specialist schools have decided to close in the coming days, with headteachers hitting out at the government for a lack of guidance over how to protect vulnerable pupils amid the coronavirus pandemic. Just yesterday the Medicine in Specialist Schools steering group wrote to the government calling for clear guidance on how to […]

Coronavirus: Schools ‘should be able to claim’ for cancelled trips, says insurers’ body

Schools “should be able to claim” for cancelled trips abroad, the body that represents insurance companies has said, after the government advised the public to avoid all non-essential international travel. Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, told Parliament today that he had “taken the decision to advise British nationals against non-essential travel, globally, for an initial […]

Coronavirus: Schools to stay open despite calls for social distancing

Schools look set to stay open for the time being despite the government upping its coronavirus fightback, including urging social distancing. However, the government’s chief scientific adviser has admitted it “may be necessary to think about closures”. Prime minster Boris Johnson has announced new measures today urging people to work from home if possible, stop […]

Coronavirus: Leadership unions say school closures ‘likely’ after DfE crunch talks

The general secretaries of England’s two school leadership unions have said it is “likely that a number of schools will have to close”, following a meeting with ministers. Geoff Barton, the leader of ASCL and Paul Whiteman, who heads up the NAHT, said they had had a “very productive meeting” with education secretary Gavin Williamson […]

Coronavirus: Oldham sixth form college gets impending Ofsted deferred

Oldham Sixth Form College has become the first education provider to successfully defer an Ofsted inspection due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Inspectors were due into the 16 to 19 academy this week but the visit has now been postponed to an unknown date, the watchdog has confirmed. On Friday, Ofsted released new guidance stating that […]

Coronavirus: School closures ‘may be necessary’ over staff shortages, says PHE

Public Health England has updated its guidance for schools, warning it “may be necessary” to close schools if staff isolation due to coronavirus causes “operational issues”. Until this morning, the organisation’s official advice stated that there was “no need” to close schools or send learners or staff home, even if they had a suspected case. […]

Coronavirus: #covid19walkout trending as leaders attend DfE crunch talks

Parents across England have pledged to remove their children from schools if they are not closed soon, as leadership unions and academy representatives prepare to meet ministers for coronavirus crunch talks. The hashtag #covid19walkout is trending on twitter, with many parents saying they will take matters into their own hands following the government’s decision last […]