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Daily News Summary
19 May 2020

Coronavirus: Pressure builds as councils defy school reopening plans
England's students experience third highest rates of pressure from schoolwork, study finds
'Trainee teachers should be given mental health and wellbeing support'

Coronavirus: Pressure builds as councils defy school reopening plans

 

The Times reports Bury, Liverpool and Hartlepool councils have said their schools will not be reopening from June 1, and six others have expressed their concerns over the Government's plans. Culture secretary Oliver Dowden has refused to rule out legal action against councils that fail to reopen schools from June 1. By Rosemary Bennett.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, has said the Government will make its final decision on the reopening of schools after it reviews the latest scientific evidence on May 28. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week. Further details on the reopening of schools in Scotland are expected to be revealed on Thursday. By Henry Hepburn, Tes. According to The Times, first minister Nicola Sturgeon is under increasing pressure to provide "full transparency" over the scientific evidence informing the decision to reopen Scotland's schools. By Mark McLaughlin.

The National Education Union has outlined a new list of requirements to be met before schools in England can reopen. By Will Hazell, iNews. According to Tes, education unions have said it is "extremely unlikely" that schools will be able to reopen from June 1.

iNews reports an academy school chain has privately advised its headteachers that they will not be "liable for prosecution" if someone contracts coronavirus at school. By Will Hazell.

Justine Greening, a former education secretary and founder of the Social Mobility Pledge, writes in The Mail arguing children need to be back in school "to avert a crisis in educational inequality". Former prime minister Tony Blair has also expressed support for the Government's June 1 target. By Henry Martin, The Mail.

An article in The Telegraph features the views of parents and teachers on the Government's plans to reopen schools from June.

An article in iNews considers what the return to school might look like. By Alex Nelson. The Telegraph features images of the social distancing measures Holywell Village First School has put in place in preparation for pupils' return.

The Telegraph reports there has been no significant increase in the number of coronavirus cases after schools in 22 EU countries reopened, however France has had to close some of its schools after new cases were identified a week after they reopened. By David Chazan and James Crisp.

IE Today reports on how state and independent schools are working together during the pandemic to support pupils and staff. The article quotes Mark Mortimer, headteacher at Bryanston School, Jeremy Thomas of Abingdon School and Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC. The article mentions several other schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations.

The Telegraph features four people shortlisted for the 'Community Hero' category of its Lockdown Awards, which were launched last month to celebrate those who have gone the extra mile to help others during the pandemic. The winner will be announced on May 29. By Tomé Morrissy-Swan.

Some education unions have warned teachers may not be able to provide the same level of online learning for children at home once schools start to reopen. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph. In a separate article, The Telegraph highlights the work of 18 university students and graduates who are filming short educational videos for younger students during the lockdown. By Jack Rear.

The Government has announced £10 million in emergency funding to support children with special educational needs and disabilities with home learning. Schools Week.

Professor John Reilly, a member of the World Health Organisation's commission on ending childhood obesity, has called for parents to encourage their children to walk or cycle to school to help them lose any weight they might have gained during the lockdown. By Marc Horne, The Times.

Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union, has called on the Government to release "firmer" guidance, warning some institutions will "rush to reopen". By Will Hazell, iNews. Nicola Dandridge of the Office for Students has said university applicants must be told with "absolute clarity" how courses will be taught in advance of accepting offers. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News.

 

England's students experience third highest rates of pressure from schoolwork, study finds

 

According to new study from the World Health Organisation, 15-year-olds in England experience the third highest rates of pressure from schoolwork out of 45 countries. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

 
Tes

'Trainee teachers should be given mental health and wellbeing support'

 

Emma Hollis, executive director of the National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers, writes in Tes arguing teachers should be given mental health support as soon as they start training.

 
Tes

 

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