Primary schools urged to use rotas if necessary from June 1 despite DfE reluctance There is pressure on the government to reconsider its position against the use of rotas when bringing back more primary school pupils from June 1 – with leadership unions backing schools that choose to do so anyway.
Anxious headteachers feeling the burden of responsibility as they plan for June 1 “Deeply anxious”, “extremely concerned”, “incredibly stressed” – primary school leaders have told Headteacher Update this week of the enormous pressure they face as they plan for a possible June 1 re-opening.
Primary schools set out their plans for June 1 re-opening Small “social bubbles” of four children, deep clean days, reduced timetables, social distancing signage, staggered play times and allocated zones – primary schools have outlined some of their plans ahead of possible re-opening on June 1.
Poorest families least likely to send children back to school Fewer than one-third of the poorest families say they would send their children back to school should they re-open from June 1 – this compares to around half of the richest families.
'No obligation to re-open' – resistance to June 1 plan as unions demand scientific evidence transparency A meeting has been set-up between the government’s scientific advisors and education unions to discuss the evidence that the decision to re-open schools from June 1 has been based on.
Scottish schools shut until at least August; Wales and Northern Ireland taking similar paths The Scottish government and teachers do not expect schools to re-open before the start of the new academic year in August.
Outdoor lessons, smaller classes and one-way systems from June 1 – but no masks It is not being recommended that pupils wear masks when schools reopen for some pupils from June 1. There should instead be a focus on using adjusted timetables, one-way systems and outdoor lessons to keep pupils apart.
MPs scathing in their assessment of DfE's grip on SEND system pressures ?A scathing report by cross-party MPs has concluded that the government “does not have a grip” on the mounting pressure in the SEND system, with pupils more likely to be excluded and thousands of families missing out on crucial support.
Exclusion warning as schools braced for 'fresh behavioural challenges' after lockdown Schools must not turn to exclusion as a solution for the “fresh behavioural challenges” that are expected after the coronavirus lockdown is lifted and pupils return. 1 comment
Teacher unions urge caution over timetable for re-opening schools Ten trade unions representing around one million teachers across the UK and Ireland have written a joint letter to education ministers urging “significant caution in any consideration of re-opening schools”.
Education secretary pressed on FSM vouchers and phased re-opening of schools A phased re-opening of schools, a pledge to tackle the problems in the national FSM voucher system, and a refusal to be drawn on the proposed £700 catch-up premium – Pete Henshaw reports on education Gavin Williamson’s appearance before MPs this week
Vulnerable children 'hidden and at risk' during coronavirus lockdown Poverty, homelessness, neglect, domestic violence, substance abuse, exploitation, and a lack of food – hundreds of thousands of children facing significant risks are hidden from the authorities because of the coronavrius lockdown.
Research review outlines five keys to effective remote learning Quality of teaching, facilitating peer interaction, and supporting pupils to work independently are three keys to effective remote learning.
Anger at media speculation over May school re-opening There is anger and frustration among teachers and school leaders this week after wild media speculation over the imminent re-opening of schools.
Teachers call for DfE's free laptop scheme to be expanded Teachers and school leaders are asking the Department for Education (DfE) to consider extending its free laptop initiative to cover a wider range of disadvantaged pupils.
Researchers seek teacher and parent views on home education technologies Researchers have launched a survey into the success – or otherwise – of the huge range of learning technologies being used during the school shutdown.
Early re-opening of schools would be "foolhardy", PM warned Any plan to re-open schools in May or June and implement social distancing measures for pupils and staff would be “foolhardy”, the prime minister has been warned.
Emergency coronavirus funding: Schools must wait until June Schools will find out in June how they can apply for government funding to cover additional costs resulting from the coronavirus lockdown.
Home-schooling: 'No expectation' on parents to teach children There is no expectation that parents should lead the home education and teaching of their children, school leaders have said.
New NASUWT chief pledges to continue fight over working conditions After the inspiring response of teachers to the coronavirus crisis, the government must not continue to undermine pay and conditions, the new general secretary of the NASUWT has said.
Child poverty hits 4.2 million amid coronavirus impact fear Levels of child poverty in the UK have risen once again, as has the proportion of these children who are living in working families. It comes amid fears that the coronavirus crisis will hit these families and their children the hardest, while also pushing many more into poverty.
Ofsted urged to "build faith" in inspection complaints process Ofsted’s proposals to reform the way it handles complaints about inspection are welcome but do not go far enough, school leaders have said.
Coronavirus: National free school meal voucher scheme launches Schools can now provide every child eligible for free school meals (FSM) with a weekly voucher worth £15 to help them cover the cost of meals while they are being home schooled. 3 comments
Home-schooling: Union advice urges no more than three hours' work a day for pupils This is not “business as usual” and teachers should not be expected to deliver a full school timetable to pupils at home during the coronavirus closures.
'A defining moment' for schools: Praise for phenomenal coronavirus response The first week under coronavirus lockdown has gone relatively smoothly for schools, although there have been reports of headteachers having to challenge some parents over the definition of “key worker”.
