In a week when schools saw a huge increase in pupil Covid absence at the same time as they were being told to get rid of face masks, Tes revealed how a new field of science is set to transform teaching and why the Early Career Framework could be in trouble after just one term.

Catch up on your must-read news and features articles right here:

News

• Covid pupil absence up by 100,000 in two weeks 
  Warning that school leaders are still “very much in the eye of the Covid storm” after sharp increases in pupil and teacher coronavirus-related absence.
   
• Some schools told to keep masks as Covid cases surge 
  Schools in some parts of the country have been asked by local health officials to maintain the wearing of face masks, despite this no longer being recommended by the government.
   
• GCSEs 2022: Call to release advance topics sooner 
  School leaders have said that advance information on the topics to be covered in GCSE exams this summer should be released “as soon as possible”.
   
• Need to know: the DfE’s plans for academies 
  What we learned about the government’s vision for academisation from officials questioned by an MPs’ committee.
   
• Schools face more scrutiny over ‘avoidable absence’ 
  The Department for Education plans to introduce new rules on school attendance and absence fines for parents.

Features

• Why behavioural science is set to transform teaching 
  How the science behind what makes people act and react in the ways that they do could soon be a powerful tool for teachers. 
   
• The Early Career Framework: How it has hit workload 
  The launch of the ECF was supposed to make new teachers’ lives easier - but, with widespread complaints about ‘extra work’, could the new system be changed after just one term?
   
• The deal that tried to transform teaching - and nearly did 
  The McCrone Agreement promised teachers in Scotland better pay, status and prospects - and less admin. Twenty years on, how much has it delivered?
   
• Should heads have taught in every key stage? 
  The case for and against the idea that headteachers need classroom experience of every key stage.
   
• Why your school needs ‘active’ lessons 
  Bringing physical activity into the classroom can improve learning, research shows.