• 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…

    17.36 Jun. 1st, 2020 | News

  • Coronavirus: Final schools reopening decision 'to be made on May 28'

    Ministers will make the final decision on whether to press ahead with its schools reopening plan on May 28, a union leader has revealed. Geoff Barton (pictured above left), the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the government will “review the latest science” next Thursday, and that the return of…

    10.09 May. 18th, 2020 | News

  • Coronavirus: Largest heads' union says it wasn't consulted over June 1 return plan

    The country’s largest headteachers’ union was not consulted on the government’s proposal to allow certain year groups to return to school on June 1, its general secretary has revealed. Paul Whiteman, the leader of the National Association of Head Teachers, which mostly represents primary school leaders, told the Parliamentary education committee this morning that conversations…

    11.17 May. 12th, 2020 | News

  • Coronavirus: Heads can refuse to reopen schools if they don’t think it's safe, say leadership unions

    Headteachers can refuse to reopen their schools to more pupils if they don’t believe they can do so safely, leadership unions have warned. The National Association of Head Teachers and the Association of School and College Leaders, which between them represent tens of thousands of senior and middle leaders, said the final decision on whether…

    13.03 May. 11th, 2020 | News

  • 83% of heads say inability to implement social distancing would prevent pupils' return

    More than four in five headteachers believe the inability to implement “appropriate” social distancing measures in schools would prevent them from opening to more pupils. A survey of members of the National Association of Head Teachers reveals 83 per cent believe the difficulties associated with social distancing in schools could stand in the way of…

    16.16 May. 5th, 2020 | News

  • Coronavirus: Reopen schools before summer if possible, say leadership unions

    Unions representing school leaders across England are lobbying the government to reopen schools for a “limited period” before the summer holidays if scientific advice says it is safe to do so. Once the scientific advice is that schools can return safely, they should do so, even if it’s for a very limited period before the…

    5.00 Apr. 10th, 2020 | News

  • Coronavirus: Heads seek 'urgent clarification' over staffing and free meals costs

    A headteachers’ union is demanding “urgent clarification” from government over whether schools can claim extra funding to pay term-time only staff to work over the Easter holidays. Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said guidance issued by the Department for Education on exceptional costs associated with coronavirus was “unclear”…

    13.48 Apr. 8th, 2020 | News

  • Coronavirus: Heads expect 'better' safety guidance

    The NAHT headteachers’ union has said it expects the government to publish “better” safety guidance for schools after vague advice was circulated last night. The new guidance on implementing social distancing in education and childcare settings, published by the Department for Education and Public Health England, has been criticised for telling leaders little that they…

    9.49 Mar. 25th, 2020 | News

  • 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…

    19.57 Mar. 19th, 2020 | News

  • 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…

    18.25 Mar. 16th, 2020 | News

  • 'We are not convinced' - leaders' union ASCL won't back #PauseOfsted campaign

    The Association of School and College Leaders will not back calls for school staff to stop working as Ofsted inspectors because its leaders are “not convinced” it’s the best way forward. The #PauseOfsted campaign, launched by Headteachers’ Roundtable chair Stephen Tierney at the think tank’s annual conference last week, calls for those working part-time as…

    13.51 Feb. 11th, 2020 | News