Join the Tes news team as we discuss the announcement this week that schools will reopen more widely from 8 March, the government’s plans to help pupils catch up on lost learning during the pandemic, and how GCSEs and A levels will be graded this year.

We cover the announcement earlier this week that all pupils in all years can go back to the classroom from 8 March, as well as concerns raised by teaching unions over whether this is safe.

Schools reopening: Fears over Covid safety

And we look at the announcements on coronavirus catch-up provision, as well as the Department for Education’s refusal to say whether the multi-million Covid recovery fund is new money from the Treasury.

We also talk about the latest plans for GCSEs and A levels, following the announcement that they will be graded through teacher assessment this week, as well as some of the details from Ofqual and the DfE’s consultation responses, published yesterday.

And finally, we hear how teachers at a primary school in Wales were greeted with a heartwarming welcome message from pupils as schools returned after half-term this week.