Tes essentials: Covid rules, energy bills and behaviour

In a week when the prime minister announced his plan to finally free us from all Covid restrictions, fears were raised about continuing disruption to education, schools were getting to grips with new guidance on behaviour and Tes revealed the impact of soaring energy bills on already-stretched school budgets.

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

News

• Scrapping self-isolation ‘won’t stop school disruption’ 
  Boris Johnson this week signalled that the law requiring self-isolation for Covid could be lifted after half term - but heads’ leaders warned that schools will still face coronavirus disruption due to pupils and staff being too unwell to attend.
   
• Covid absence falls overall - but rises for secondary staff
  While Covid-related school absence has dropped overall, the number of secondary teachers absent due to the coronavirus has increased significantly, new Department for Education figures show.
   
• Will the energy crisis mean job cuts at your school?
  With energy bills soaring by 150 per cent, school leaders warn that cuts will have to be made in their budgets.

• ‘Grave’ fears over Covid exams plan 
  Teachers’ leaders have warned that the advance information for GCSE and A-level exam students - published this week - could be too little, too late to make up for all the Covid disruption to their education.
   
• Will your school be able to find enough teachers?
  A huge drop in applications for initial teacher training has sparked fears of teacher shortages.
   
• Revealed: Ofsted’s guide to tackling school absence 
  With the government focusing on the issue of persistent absence, the inspectorate has released guidance on what it says is the best approach to improve school attendance.

Features

• Guided play: what it is and why it matters
  After the publication of research showing that guided play can be more effective than direct instruction, Helen Amass asks one expert about ways to make the most of it.
   
• Why making PE a core subject is a complicated exercise 
  The DfE has said it is considering making PE a core curriculum subject - but there are hurdles to be overcome, finds Grainne Hallahan.
   
• How ‘sexism’ stops women getting into leadership 
  One senior academy trust leader reveals shocking examples of “sexism” and “cronyism” that she experienced when applying for leadership jobs.
   
• Five positives to take from staff resignations 
  When a valued member of staff hands in their notice, this is why you should see it is a “golden opportunity”, says principal Mark Steed.
   
• Why ‘levelling up’ risks widening the inclusivity gap 
  The government’s levelling up plan is likely to mean more pupils with SEND being pushed towards more-inclusive settings, warns headteacher Simon Smith.
   
• The new behaviour guidance: what you need to know
  With the DfE publishing updated behaviour guidance for consultation, one behaviour director explains what it will mean for your teaching practice.