Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, has argued allowing schools to switch to remote learning for the last few days before the Christmas break could help prevent "a chaotic and disruptive end to this term". By Amy Gibbons, Tes.

Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, has urged teachers to resist any "pressure" to deliver online learning when they are unwell. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

Tulip Siddiq, Labour's shadow children's minister, has called on the Government to ensure children have access to laptops for remote learning, warning of a "huge gap" between the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and their peers. By May Bulman, The Independent.

BBC News reports a number of children in Wales still do not have access to technological devices needed for home learning, despite a Welsh Government pledge to ensure no pupils would be "left behind" during the pandemic. By Jordan Davies.

Anne Longfield, the children's commissioner, has urged schools to teach the new relationships and sex education curriculum as soon as possible, amid reports the rate of online grooming offences has "accelerated" during lockdown. Tes.

Ministers have been warned students may ignore instructions to delay their return to university in the New Year unless their rent is reimbursed. By Will Hazell, iNews.

Jamie Driscoll, mayor of the North of Tyne combined authority, has written a letter to education secretary Gavin Williamson arguing "northern pupils will get lower grades than those of equal ability in other areas". By Catherine Lough, Tes.

Amber Waite, head of St Albans High School for Girls, writes to The Times in response to calls to phase out single-sex schools. She argues a one-size-fits-all approach is not in children's best interest, adding: "How wonderful that we live in a country where young people and their parents have the ability to choose the environment that best suits them." The letter can be found halfway down the page.

Penny Rabiger, a co-founder of the BAMEd network, has said preventing teachers from educating pupils about white privilege is having "a silencing effect" on schools. By Jess Staufenberg, The Guardian.

According to the most recent results from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), England has slipped from eighth to 14th place in secondary science. The findings also place England in eighth place for primary maths - the country's highest ranking since 2007. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News.

Schools Week reports Susan Acland-Hood, who took over from Jonathan Slater as the DfE's permanent secretary in September, will step up to the role on a permanent basis. By Freddie Whittaker.

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