schools | Schools Week

Coronavirus: Reopening on June 1 ‘may not be possible for all schools’ admits Johnson

Reopening schools to pupils in reception, year 1 and year 6 “may not be possible for all schools”, Boris Johnson has admitted. The prime minister also announced that the government does not expect secondary schools to start providing face-to-face support for year 10 and 12 pupils until June 15, two weeks later than ministers initially […]

Coronavirus: Scientists told ministers a rota system could help curb transmission in schools

The government told schools not to use rota systems for the return of pupils despite scientific advice that it was “likely to be the most effective strategy” for bringing them back, official documents show. Advice to the government, published today by the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), shows that advisers reported on April […]

The rebel councils: Government’s schools plan in doubt as 27 town halls raise safety concerns

The government’s determination to begin the phased return of pupils to England’s schools on June 1 looked in serious doubt this week after as many as 27 councils said the move threatened the safety of pupils and staff. Seven have advised schools not to allow more pupils back on the preferred date, while a further […]

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 […]

Liverpool council defies government reopening plans – vowing children won’t return until June 15 ‘at very earliest’

Liverpool City Council has defied government calls for pupils to return to classrooms from June 1, saying children will not go back to its schools until June 15 “at the very earliest”. Documents leaked to Schools Week show the local authority plans to follow-through with its threat to defy the government over concerns it will not […]

Coronavirus: Ministers accused of ‘abdicating responsibility’ over schools reopening plan

Ministers have been accused of “abdicating responsibility and handing it to heads” over their contentious plans for some pupils to return to school next month. School leaders have been told to prepare for the potential return of pupils in reception, year 1 and year 6 to their classrooms on June 1. The guidance reads less […]

Coronavirus: DfE admits home-learners may suffer once some pupils return to school

Reopening primary schools to more pupils means the quality of home education offered to those who aren’t allowed back in yet is likely to suffer, the government has admitted. New guidance on reopening schools, published tonight, states many schools have been able to offer “high-quality remote education opportunities or programmes over recent weeks”. The government […]

Coronavirus: Cabinet minister promises to ‘comfort’ unions as tensions grow over schools plan

A cabinet minister has said the government will work with unions to provide “as much comfort as we possibly can” over its plans to begin reopening schools next month. Tensions between the government and unions have been steadily growing since Boris Johnson announced it was the government’s aim for reception, year 1 and year 6 […]

Coronavirus: Unions urge government to ‘step back’ from June 1 school reopening plan

Unions representing hundreds of thousands of school teachers, leaders and support staff have called on the government to “step back” from its plan to have some pupils return to schools on June 1. A joint statement from unions in the Trades Union Congress with education members, including teachers’ unions the NEU and NASUWT, leadership union […]