Welcome to the Tes coronavirus liveblog. The outbreak of Covid-19 is an uncertain time for everyone, but schools and teachers are facing unprecedented disruption with schools now closed and exams cancelled.
Here, we aim to help teachers in the UK and in international schools by gathering together all the relevant stories in one place and keeping you updated with the latest news and announcements as and when they happen.
And, as ever, we also want to hear from you. What is different in your school, in your working life, because of the virus?
Baseline going ahead as planned, says DfE
In a nice symmetrical end to the day we finish where we started and the controversial baseline assessment.
But it's not good news for the campaigners who want to see September's introduction of the tests for 4-year-olds delayed because of the virus outbreak.
Going ahead would "make life impossible for everybody", they have warned.
So far though, the Department for Education has not been swayed.
Full story here
Legal battle to secure equality of access for online education during school closures
The government could face legal action over pupils' unequal access to remote education during the coronavirus lockdown.
The Good Law Project is making the case that every pupil has a right to internet connectivity in their home, to prevent their falling behind in their education while schools are closed.
The crowdfunded case will be made on the basis of the Education Act 1996, supported by the Human Rights Act, the Equality Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The not-for-profit organisation previously successfully challenged the government's unlawful suspension of Parliament in 2019.
It fears many disadvantaged pupils "risk being left behind in the shift to online education" because they share devices with siblings or working parents; rely on internet access in schools, libraries or cafes; or do not have a device or home internet access at all.
Full story here
Concern and confusion over GCSE and A-level grading plan
Ofqual's decision to use teacher assessments and rank orders to produce this summer's exam grades may well be the best possible option in a very difficult situation.
But that doesn't mean that students are happy about it. A snap poll by the Student Room suggests that as many as two thirds of them believe it will leave them with unfair grades.
And individual responses elicited concerns that go beyond a simple blanket rejection.
Some students expressed worries over how their teachers would be able to assess their attainment if they had had a lot of staff turnover at their schools.
“I have had so many maths teachers and my main worry is how will they judge me fairly when I have to keep adapting to their different ways of teaching," one pupil said.
Others were uncertain about the timetabling for exams in the autumn term when candidates will be given the option to sit GCSEs or A levels then if they are unhappy with their calculated grade.
"I would prepare for A Levels, but I don't even know what I'm doing anymore (other than Geography), [be]cause it might depend on the grades I get," one said.
"That's another thing I'm confused about, if we were to 'resit' and exam, how would that overlap A Levels in September, and would we be allowed to change options after we get our grades."
Full story here
Could building delays hit school places?
The government is investigating whether Covid-19 could affect the number of school places available to prospective pupils as building projects are delayed or paused.
National schools commissioner Dominic Herrington has written to local councils asking them to provide information "on the level of risk to your own school building projects" for September 2020.
The letter has also said that admissions appeals panels should be held via video or telephone during the pandemic.
How to boost teachers’ wellbeing while school life is disrupted
While many teachers will be aware of the risks to their mental health amid the coronavirus crisis, it can be difficult to manage wellbeing at a time of such rapid change.
So, to help school staff cope with their ever-demanding roles, the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, a London-based charity, has compiled a list of eight tips for boosting wellbeing during periods of disruption.
These include identifying personal goals, 'buddying up' and going back to basics to boost mental health.
Read the full story here.
DfE told to delay new baseline assessment and EYFS reforms
Teachers should not be expected to carry out the new Reception baseline assessment in September, campaigners have said.
It is "not in children's interest" for the government to introduce the new measure after learning has been "so disrupted" by school and nursery closures, according to the Early Education charity.
Chief executive Beatrice Merrick has also called on the government to postpone reforms to the early years foundation stage, which were due to be implemented by "early adopter" schools in the autumn, before becoming compulsory in September 2021.
Read the full story here.
It's the Easter holidays - but not as we know them
School's out - sort of.
Over the next two weeks, some teachers will still be going into school to look after the children of other key workers, while others will be helping students remotely or planning online work for when term-time resumes.
Hopefully, teachers will also be able to take some well-deserved time for themselves after a hugely challenging few weeks.
We'll continue to guide and support teachers through this unprecedented period, and you can catch up on all the events over the weekend here.
