Theme 1 news Covid Learning loss study: ‘Notable’ catch-up at primary, but poorer pupils much further behind Study finds disadvantaged secondary pupils were still 1.6 months further behind their peers this summer Freddie Whittaker 8mo Freddie Whittaker 8mo Covid Zahawi urges older pupils to test before school return as Covid rates rise again ONS estimates around 1 in 11 secondary pupils tested positive in week before half term Freddie Whittaker 8mo Freddie Whittaker 8mo Covid Covid: Children missed 219 million days in school during spring term Partial school closures meant 57.5% of physical school sessions were missed Freddie Whittaker 8mo Freddie Whittaker 8mo Covid Rise in Covid absence slows, but record numbers still off A rise in Covid-related absence from schools seen since the beginning of term has slowed, with attendance rates actually… Freddie Whittaker 8mo Freddie Whittaker 8mo Covid Long read The councils forced into school Covid action 11 councils are advising all schools in their areas to reintroduce Covid classroom measures Schools Week Reporter 9mo Schools Week Reporter 9mo Covid Covid: 1 in 12 secondary school pupils test positive ONS data shows rising infection rates among older pupils, as heads warn they are struggling with absences Freddie Whittaker 9mo Freddie Whittaker 9mo Covid Exclusive Edenred: Free school meals voucher company’s profits jump 29% Company tasked with providing meal vouchers during pandemic saw overall profits jump to £13.9 million Tom Belger 9mo Tom Belger 9mo Covid Covid: Schools ‘picking up the pieces’ amid lack of support services Schools shouldered ‘significant responsibilities within networks of support that have themselves fragmented’ – UCL report Freddie Whittaker 9mo Freddie Whittaker 9mo Covid Bring back bubbles and masks in classroom, unions tell Zahawi A joint letter from five unions, also sent to councils, calls for urgent action as cases rise Schools Week Reporter 9mo Schools Week Reporter 9mo Newer 1 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Older Must Read Covid Exclusive DfE threatened with legal action over ‘unlawful’ Covid attendance rules The government is being threatened with legal action if it fails to update attendance guidance for vulnerable children and… James Carr 10mo James Carr 10mo Covid Academy trusts’ cash stash rises to £3bn despite pandemic pressures Academy trusts boosted their reserves and surpluses last year despite the upheaval of Covid, official figures show. New Department… Tom Belger 12mo Tom Belger 12mo