One month on: Schools' experiences of wider re-opening No NPQH ever prepared headteachers for the decision-making and timetabling that they have had to put into operation over the past few weeks. One month on since wider re-opening of primary schools, headteachers speak to Suzanne O’Connell about their experiences and lessons learned so far
Children reveal their top 10 lockdown films Playing outside, watching feel-good films, gaming and baking are among the top activities that have helped pupils to stay positive during the lockdown.
Full school re-opening? One-metre rule change makes little difference, DfE told School leaders and teachers have warned that the move to a social distancing standard of one metre will make little difference to the capacity of schools to re-open fully in September.
Behaviour policies must become trauma-aware post-lockdown School behaviour policies post-lockdown must take into account the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic and “reflect how behaviour could relate to trauma or emotional distress”.
Funded support for NQTs hit by coronavirus lockdown Schools eligible for the one-year funded offer of support for early career teachers whose training has been interrupted by the coronavirus lockdown are to be contacted by providers in due course.
Frustration at lack of consultation over DfE's £1bn catch-up programme School leaders have expressed their frustration at being kept in the dark over the government’s plans for a £1 billion catch-up tutoring programme.
Looming recession will boost teacher recruitment (and retention) Teacher recruitment is likely to experience a welcome boost caused by the inevitable recession that has been brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
Two million still face holiday hunger risk despite FSM summer extension As many as two million children who are not eligible for free school meals (FSM) still face the threat of going hungry this summer.
Study reveals most effective remote learning approaches The use of virtual learning environments (VLE), phone calls, online conversations and retrieval practice can improve pupils’ engagement in remote learning, a study has found.
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.
