Thursday
Schools close as Storm Ciarán hits
Schools move to remote learning across southern regions as severe weather warnings remain in place across the region
Children’s commissioner: ‘Benchmark’ schools over absence
Dame Rachel de Souza calls for tougher measures to drive up attendance as research shows a link between persistent absence and GCSE outcomes
Tuesday
DfE: ‘Blend’ temporary buildings into surroundings
Consider ‘visual impact’, avoid playing fields and four other instructions for schools installing temporary buildings due to RAAC
Covid: Williamson opposed masks in ‘no surrender mode’
WhatsApp messages between senior government officials claim Gavin Williamson had ‘not wanted to give an inch’ to trade unions by backing masks in schools
Monday
DfE school hardship fund a ‘sticking plaster’
Union leaders and special schools warn extra funding announced to support teacher pay increase will not be sufficient
Oak to get ‘up to £2m’ to develop AI teacher assistants
Union leaders question investment and warn that AI will not be a ‘silver bullet’ to fix teacher workload
Friday
Teacher pension rise could force more private schools to exit scheme
Unions warn that unfunded rise for private schools will force more schools to drop out of the teacher pension scheme
Early years: What impact have EYFS 2021 reforms had?
The DfE has published an evaluation report on the impact of early years foundation stage reforms in 2021. Here are the key findings
RSHE: Keegan ‘undermining’ trust in schools, heads warn
School leaders’ unions say the education secretary’s ‘pursuit of a headline’ over RSHE could damage people’s faith in schools
‘Cost-cutting suspicion’ after DfE SEND contract rewrite
DfE faces questions after original SEND contract notice said government reforms would address the ‘cost burden’ caused by demand for services
