schools reopening | Schools Week

1 in 10 pupils has not returned to school, Boris Johnson admits

More than 1 in 10 pupils have not returned to school yet, the prime minister has revealed. Boris Johnson told today’s Downing Street press briefing that “something like 89 per cent of pupils are back in school”, indicating that around 11 per cent are not. Most schools across England have now fully reopened to schools, […]

DfE seeks retired educational psychologists to support returning pupils

The government wants retired educational psychologists to return to work to help support children returning to school. The Department for Education is inviting former educational psychologists who “may be interested in temporarily returning to the profession”, and those still practicing who have additional capacity for temporary support to express interest. It follows warnings from psychologists […]

Williamson claims reopening is ‘very much’ under control despite spate of Covid closures

Gavin Williamson has claimed the reopening of schools is under control, despite a spate of closures prompted by Covid-19 cases. The education secretary told MPs today he was “very” confident that the situation was under control, and insisted schools that follow government guidance will “create an inherently safer environment for all to operate”. It follows […]

Pupils three months behind as new term starts, study claims

Pupils are on average three months behind on their learning as a result of partial school closures, with deprived pupils and those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds more likely to be affected, a new study has warned. Rather than being a quick-fix, school catch-up schemes will need to be sustained if they are […]

New local lockdowns guidance: What schools need to know

Ministers have finally published guidance for schools on how to plan for potential local lockdowns, just days before many schools welcome their pupils back. The guidance sets out what schools must do in response to different “tiers” of local lockdown. Here’s what schools need to know. 1. There are four ‘tiers’ of action Tier […]

Heads slam government over last-minute local lockdown guidance

The government has issued an eleventh-hour edict to schools on how to plan for local lockdowns, angering headteachers and prompting questions about resources. The guidance sets out four “tiers” of action that may be needed, depending on the level of government intervention in different areas of the country. It demonstrates a complete lack of regard […]

Boris Johnson claims exams fiasco has been ‘sorted out’

The fiasco over GCSE and A-level results this year has “finally been sorted out”, the prime minister has claimed. During a speech at a school in Leicestershire, Johnson told pupils their grades were “almost derailed by a mutant algorithm”, and acknowledged how “stressful” the situation must have been. The schools community is still reeling from […]

Government to U-turn on masks in schools

Staff and older pupils will be expected to wear face coverings in schools in England from September following a government U-turn, Schools Week understands. Ministers are expected to announce the change later today following growing pressure in the wake of a similar decision in Scotland and changes to World Health Organisation guidelines. It means staff […]

Pressure mounts on government over face coverings in schools

The government is under growing pressure to review its guidance on the use of face coverings in schools, as one of England’s largest academy trusts announced it had ordered visors and masks for staff and some pupils. Oasis Community Learning, which runs 52 academies across England, will provide face coverings for all staff and visitors […]