Secondary school pupils are as likely to transmit coronavirus as adults, official research appears to show – as scientists now call for routine Covid tests for children and teachers when classes restart. Public Health England (PHE) found that primary school pupils do not appear to pass the virus to each other – but its researchers … Read more
Appalled by the intransigence of her union when it comes to getting pupils back into classrooms, this maths teacher at a state secondary in the North of England resigned her membership. Here, in a powerful account, the experienced teacher in her late 30s – who asked to remain anonymous – lays bare the unions’ shameful … Read more
Masks are now part of school uniform: Secondary head tells pupils and staff they must wear face-coverings when classes restart in September – despite government advice saying otherwise Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School & Sixth Form College has enforced rule It comes after Government advice saying masks in schools is ‘not recommended’ Matt Hancock said: ‘If … Read more
A finance boss who stole over £200,000 from her secondary school over seven years has been ordered to pay back less than half. Ghislain Sharron Smithson, 52, diverted over £100,000 in cash into her bank account from the Keswick School, in Cumbria, between 2012 and 2018. But she also used the school account to buy … Read more
Secondary school pupils with GCSE and A-level exams next year are returning to classes today, but only a quarter of Years 10 and 12 are allowed on site at one time due to social-distancing. The Government wants pupils to have ‘face-to-face’ support before their exams next summer, but the amount contact time will vary considerably across … Read more
The Health Secretary last night conceded that secondary schools in England may not fully reopen in September – with ministers also expected to row back on their pledge to give primary children a month in classes before summer break. Matt Hancock said at the Downing Street briefing yesterday that it was still ‘our current working … Read more
The chaos surrounding secondary schools is set to continue next year as the coronavirus wreaks havoc with GCSEs and A-levels. Exams will likely be impacted next summer due to some colleges in England not opening properly until January. Regulator Ofqual has taken the drastic step of creating contingency plans for next year’s intake as students face … Read more
One in seven secondary school pupils is suffering from ‘significant’ mental health problems such as anxiety or low mood – and girls are worst affected Researchers studied questionnaire responses from 6,300 pupils in 21 schools They found that 15 per cent of pupils reported high mental health difficulties Girls and pupils in year 11 were … Read more
A brand new school that was built in 12 weeks during the coronavirus lockdown has had its construction captured in remarkable time-lapse footage. Sir Frederick Gibberd College in Harlow, Essex, was built by contractor Caledonian Modular on Tendring Road, who built most of the new school in a factory. Working within government guidelines during the … Read more
A man who lost his partner to secondary breast cancer told how he is ‘glad’ she died before the coronavirus pandemic. Gary Powell, 54, from Bradford, revealed he is experiencing the complexities of grieving in isolation after his partner Tina Hudson, aged 54, died in Bradford hospice on 12 February following a long battle with … Read more