The Church of England last night warned children will suffer if they are not able to return to the classroom, as pressure mounted on teachers’ unions to end their boycott of back-to-school plans. Cabinet minister Michael Gove yesterday escalated the row by telling union leaders: ‘If you really care about children, you will want them … Read more
The startling inequalities in lockdown learning are laid bare today after it was revealed that an estimated 700,000 state school pupils are not being set any work by their teachers. Some schools have simply decided against online lessons because they say many children have only limited internet access. Astonishingly, one head teacher said teachers might … Read more
Pupils won’t be allowed to take a pencil cases to school when they return but they can take a lunchbox because children are ‘less likely to share them’, the deputy chief medical officer has said. Speaking at Saturday’s Downing Street briefing, Dr Jenny Harries said that pencil cases were ‘easier to control’ than lunchboxes. She added … Read more
Bosses behind dozens of primary schools in England are backing plans for pupils to return to classrooms, despite strong opposition from teaching unions. The heads of four academy chains – Reach 2, Harris, Oasis and GEP – which teach a quarter of the UK’s children, have all thrown their weight behind government proposals to reopen schools … Read more
Two coronavirus cases are confirmed at a primary school attended by vulnerable pupils as the site is closed for a deep clean Springfield Primary School in Spolton, Derby, has now closed for deep cleaning Everyone who came into contact with the two cases will have to self-isolate The news comes amid the government’s plans to … Read more
Opposition to reopening schools is ‘middle class’ and harms disadvantaged children who miss school, says academy chief Oasis Charitable Trust founder Steve Chalke said opposition was ‘middle class’ Suggested disadvantaged children would be at greater risk if reopening delayed Teacher unions have threatened to sue school chiefs if teachers are ‘put at risk’ By Lydia … Read more
Headteachers have asked the government to clarify whether they will have to fine parents who refuse to return their children to school after the coronavirus lockdown is eased. More than 1.7 million pupils who are vulnerable, or whose parents are key workers, may be asked to return to school as early as next week, while … Read more
General Secretary of the ASCL, Geoff Barton said it is likely schools would reintroduce certain year groups in the first instance A headteacher’s union is calling for pupils in the middle of exam courses, and in the final year of primary school, to return to the classroom first as part of a phased reopening of … Read more
Just 1% of pupils who are eligible to keep going to school are back in the classroom Bosses reveal worries over risk of abuse or neglect for youngsters out of school Association of School and College Leaders said figures were a ‘serious concern’ Ex-Ofsted boss Michael Wilshaw warns some children may need to repeat a … Read more
Two-thirds of children have not taken part in online lessons during the coronavirus lockdown amid fears pupils are struggling to learn at home while schools remain shut until ‘June at the earliest.’ Schools have offered remote classes to prevent youngsters from falling behind with their learning as Education Secretary Gavin Williams refused to set a … Read more