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Daily News Summary
26 August 2021

Coronavirus: Government launches back-to-school campaign
School caterers advised to stock up on food amid delivery driver shortage
Independent school athletes and health professionals take part in Tokyo 2020 Paralympics
Growing numbers of UK children unhappy with their lives, findings suggest

Coronavirus: Government launches back-to-school campaign

 

The Government has launched a campaign on radio, social and digital media to reassure parents and pupils it is safe to return to school in England. By Hannah Richardson, BBC News.

The Government's campaign has been criticised by some union leaders, with Nick Brook, deputy general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, saying: "It would be naive to assume that things will be completely back to normal in September." By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, has suggested that secondary school leaders will want to consider using face masks and keeping social distancing in place where possible when pupils return to the classroom next term. By Amy Gibbons, Tes.

The Department for Education is recruiting a team of attendance advisers to work with councils and academies to improve attendance in places where absence rates are higher than average. By Will Hazell, iNews.

According to The Telegraph, the NHS has drawn up plans to start vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds from the first week schools go back. By Laura Donnelly.

An editorial piece in The Telegraph calls on the Government to start planning a vaccination booster programme, arguing: "With the return of schools imminent, there cannot be a repeat of closures disrupting education and exams."

Schools Week reports schools will once again be required to provide high-quality remote education for pupils unable to be on-site due to COVID-19. By James Carr.

Teachers and parents have been urged to take precautions to prevent widespread norovirus outbreaks as schools prepare to reopen classrooms next week. By Jon Sharman, The Independent.

John Swinney, Scotland's deputy first minister, has said that the return of schools has contributed to the country's record number of COVID cases. BBC News.

BBC News reports on the Welsh Government's guidance for schools returning in September, which includes the twice-weekly testing of secondary pupils.

 

School caterers advised to stock up on food amid delivery driver shortage

 

The Mail reports schools are being warned to stock up on food for hot meals, amid concerns they could be caught up in a growing delivery driver shortage. By Sean Poulter.

 
Daily Mail

Independent school athletes and health professionals take part in Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

 

IE Today reports several former pupils and staff members at independent schools are taking part in the Paralympics in Tokyo this year. By Jo Golding. The article quotes Danny Anholt, director of equestrian at Millfield School, and Maria Goriup, physiotherapist at Mill Hill School.

 
IE Today

Growing numbers of UK children unhappy with their lives, findings suggest

 

According to a report from the Children's Society, 6.7 per cent of 10 to 15-year-olds say they are not happy with their lives - the highest proportion in the last decade. By Denis Campbell, The Guardian.

The Telegraph highlights separate findings from the report, which suggest boys have become as unhappy about their looks as girls. By Jack Hardy.

 

 

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