Gavin Williamson piled pressure on teaching unions and local politicians today as he warned of the dire ‘consequences if children did not start returning to school. The Education Secretary made a blunt appeal to the emotions of parents tonight as he insisted planning can begin to reopen classrooms from as early as next month. Outlining … Read more
The bitter row over Government plans to reopen schools exploded into fresh coronavirus chaos today as a second council said it would defy Government orders to restart classes. Hartlepool in County Durham, joined Liverpool in saying it would ignore the plan to let some primary school pupils back to the school from June 1. Education … Read more
BMA says teachers’ unions are ‘absolutely right’ to claim it is unsafe for schools to open on June 1 while Children’s Commissioner leads calls to get pupils back as soon as possible Anne Longfield called on union leaders to work with ministers to get pupils back Former Labour education secretary has also criticised trade union … Read more
Children’s Commissioner says let’s get schools open as she leads a chorus of influential voices urging teachers’ unions to co-operate with plans to reopen schools for the sake of pupils Anne Longfield called on union leaders to work with ministers to get pupils back Former Labour education secretary has also criticised trade union intransigence A … Read more
Safe social distancing can be done in schools, a top minister insisted today as the Government set itself up for a major row with education unions. Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said it was vital pupils were back in classrooms within weeks, both to allow key workers to keep working to save lives from coronavirus … Read more
The row between teachers and unions over when and how to reopen our schools exploded last night. In an extraordinary intervention, former education secretary David Blunkett accused the unions of ‘working against the interests of children’ by continuing to frustrate teachers who are desperate to get back into the classroom. And current Education Secretary Gavin … Read more
David Blunkett, the former education secretary, today accused teaching unions of ‘working against the interests of children’ after they told members not to engage with the Government on its plans to reopen schools in June. Lord Blunkett, who served in the role from 1997 to 2001, said ministers and teachers needed to work together to … Read more
Universities to get £2.6billion government support package as they are told not squeeze in extra students amid coronavirus cash crisis This will give the Government temporary controls over student numbers Nearly one in five prospective students have changed their mind about university this autumn because of coronavirus Universities will be unable to take extra students … Read more
Schools across England will reopen in ‘phases’ that could mean either older or younger pupils are first back after lockdown, says Education Secretary Gavin Williamson as he rules out holding classes over summer holidays Gavin Williamson did not give a fixed date for reopening schools across England But Education Secretary said when it happens it … Read more
ANDREW PIERCE: Spare us your winks and get a grip, Becky! By Andrew Pierce for the Daily Mail Published: 01:53 BST, 27 April 2020 | Updated: 01:55 BST, 27 April 2020 Sir Keir Starmer managed to find a place in his Shadow Cabinet for onetime ‘Continuity Corbyn’ candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey — whom he trounced in … Read more