Theme 1 news

Covid

Williamson provided wine and mince pies for DfE lockdown Xmas party

Sue Gray report finds 50 staff were invited to the ‘festive drinks’ – organised days in advance

Samantha Booth
Samantha Booth
Covid, Schools

Another procurement legal row emerges as DfE ‘under stress’

At least three major outsourcing contracts from the DfE have been at the centre of legal challenges

Samantha Booth
Samantha Booth
Covid

Reception pupils falling behind after pandemic, warns EEF

Experts warn of ‘particularly concerning’ drop in early years development

James Carr
James Carr


Covid

Covid inquiry chair wants to investigate impact on children

The UK’s public Covid inquiry chair wants to expand her remit to investigate how children and young people were…

Samantha Booth
Samantha Booth
Covid

Half of pupils kept wearing masks after January guidance change

Most secondary pupils felt face coverings should be mandatory

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
Covid

‘Sorry if I caused offence’, says MP who claimed teachers broke lockdown rules

In a letter to heads, Michael Fabricant admits ‘error’ in implying lockdown drinks were ‘general practice’ among school staff

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
Covid

SATs: No ‘special consideration’ for Covid disruption

Special consideration will not apply when a key stage 2 pupil ‘has been affected by illness or other issues…

James Carr
James Carr
Covid, Exams

Heads plan Covid isolation rooms so symptomatic kids can take exams

‘Ambiguous’ guidance leaves leaders playing Covid guessing game as tests return

James Carr
James Carr
Covid

Teacher recruitment targets hiked as DfE predicts post-Covid exodus

Ministers have repeatedly missed past targets, but slashed trainee bursaries during a short-lived Covid boom

Tom Belger
Tom Belger

Must Read

Covid

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
James Carr
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
Tom Belger