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Ventilation moved up the priority list, and 5 more updates to DfE Covid-19 guidance

An important Covid-19 guidance document for schools has been updated today to place more importance on ventilation and strengthen language around self-isolation. Here’s what you need to know about the update to Restricting attendance during the national lockdown: schools document.   1. Ventilation moved up the priority list The DfE has updated its system of […]

DfE to clarify ‘intent’ of controversial new RSE guidance

The government is set to issue a statement clarifying the “intent” of additional relationships and sex education guidance published last week, amid reports of confusion and fear among teachers, campaigners have said. Some of the teachers who have contacted us have really been very concerned Liz Moorse, chief executive the Association of Citizenship Teaching, told […]

Coronavirus: Heads struggle to keep up with DfE guidance updates

School leaders have had to read almost 100 updates to government guidance during the coronavirus crisis – a quarter of them published during antisocial hours. Analysis by Schools Week found the government has published 29 guidance documents or announcements for schools about the pandemic since mid-February, and issued 94 coronavirus-related updates for the sector. The […]

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 […]

Coronavirus: Tests for pupils with symptoms, no PPE needed and classes of 15

Pupils eligible to return to school on June 1 will have “access” to coronavirus testing, the Department for Education has said. The department has finally published additional information for schools, more than 24 hours after Boris Johnson announced the government’s intention to have some primary pupils return to school as early as June 1. The […]

DfE releases guide to partnerships with universities and private schools

The Department for Education has published guidance and case studies aimed at encouraging more partnerships between state schools, universities and the independent school sector. The documents include a guide to setting up partnerships and how to write a “memorandum of understanding” outlining the terms of a common plan of action. They also feature examples of […]

Out-of-date pregnancy guidance isn’t helping schools, say critics

A worrying lack of up-to-date guidance on how to ensure pregnant pupils continue their education is fuelling a rise in the use of alternative provision for those expecting a baby. The government claims five-year-old advice on how to deal with pupils with “health needs” – which makes no specific mention of pregnancy – is good […]