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Daily News Summary
3 November 2020

Coronavirus: Unions divided over call to close schools during lockdown
Exams 2021: Thousands sign petition to cut next year's GCSE and A-level content

Coronavirus: Unions divided over call to close schools during lockdown

 

According to the National Education Union (NEU), more than 150,000 teachers and school staff support its campaign to close England's schools and colleges during the second lockdown. By Zoe Tidman, The Independent. The union has also called on the Government to implement a week on, week off rota system in secondary schools and sixth form colleges post-lockdown. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

An article in iNews reports the NASUWT, the Association of School and College Leaders, and the National Association of Head Teachers have said face-to-face teaching in schools should be prioritised. By Will Hazell.

According to a Teacher Tapp survey of over 8,000 school staff, 17 per cent believe schools should close to all pupils except children of key workers and vulnerable pupils, while 43 per cent support the introduction of rotas. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Molly Kingsley, co-founder of the UsForThem campaign, writes in The Telegraph calling for "a national initiative to ensure continuity of in-school education for our children".

The Telegraph reports on research findings from Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust, which highlight the drop in physical activity levels among children during the pandemic. By Ben Rumsby.

Ofsted has confirmed it will conduct school visits remotely during the national lockdown, "only going on site where it is necessary to do so". Schools Week.

Brad Brasseur, a humanities teacher and university counsellor coordinator at a British international school in Lima, Peru, writes in Tes arguing the switch to blended learning was "less of an intimidating prospect" for those studying the International Baccalaureate.

Universities UK has said students in England should stay in their current accommodation during lockdown, even if courses are moved online. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News.

A report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned universities and colleges in England face a number of financial challenges due to the pandemic. By Katherine Sellgren, BBC News.

 

Exams 2021: Thousands sign petition to cut next year's GCSE and A-level content

 

Tes reports a petition launched by the NEU demanding a reduction in subject content for next year's exams has been signed by more than 60,000 people. By Catherine Lough.

 
Tes

 

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