Capacity to bring back more pupils is 'limited' Many primary schools will have “limited capacity” to bring back more pupils while restricting class sizes to no more than 15 in distinct and consistent groups, but school leaders have still welcomed new flexibility in government guidance.
Children's harrowing accounts of domestic violence during lockdown "We should be allowed back to school now so my step-dad stops hitting mummy.”
Coronavirus: Williamson faces MPs' questions on extending FSM vouchers and free laptops The education secretary has refused to be drawn on calls for free devices and internet access for all pupils who need them, increased Pupil Premium allocations for schools, a continuation of FSM vouchers this summer, or holiday schemes to support disadvantaged pupils.
Fears of autumn spike behind June 29 re-opening in Wales Schools in Wales are preparing to bring back pupils from June 29 amid safety concerns from teaching unions. School leaders, meanwhile, are seeking clarification from the Welsh Assembly on ‘flexibilities and practicalities’ in the plans. Greg Lewis reports
Children's fruit and veg intake plummets during lockdown There are concerns about a sharp fall in disadvantaged children’s intake of fruit and vegetables during the coronavirus lockdown.
Social bubbles and rota systems crucial to wider re-opening of schools Rota systems and social bubbles are key to the wider re-opening of primary schools, school leaders have told Headteacher Update.
September curriculum must not focus solely on "catch-up" Schools are being urged to avoid focusing solely on pupils “catching up” as they plan their curriculum and timetabling for September.
Call for dedicated mental health professionals in schools post-lockdown There have been further calls for a focus on wellbeing and mental health as schools re-open to more students – including a proposal to place dedicated mental health professionals in schools.
The 'trauma gap': Schools must not return to 'business as usual' post-lockdown The government cannot expect schools to return to “business as usual”, focusing purely on academic performance and the attainment gap – we must prioritise the “trauma gap” as well.
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.
Safeguarding: Social workers in schools project to expand trials Placing social workers in schools could reduce the number of children being referred for child protection and child in need enquiries, pilot studies have shown.
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. 2 comments
