Sir John Bell, the Government's adviser for coronavirus testing, has suggested schools and universities may need to close for two weeks to "get on top of" the surge in COVID cases. By Lizzie Roberts, The Telegraph.

The National Education Union has supported calls for a circuit breaker lockdown and an extended two-week half-term for secondary schools and colleges. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

The Labour Party has warned it will force a vote by MPs if the Government does not extend its free school meals provision during the school holidays. BBC News.

Food wholesalers have written to chancellor Rishi Sunak calling for urgent financial support, warning their supply chain to schools, hospitals, care homes and prisons is at risk due to industry pressures brought on by coronavirus. By Phoebe Southworth, The Telegraph.

Findings from a YouGov poll show 57 per cent of Britons list schools and nurseries as their number one priority to keep open in the event of another national lockdown. By Will Hazell, iNews.

According to The Sunday Times, more than 750,000 pupils were absent from school last week, prompting concerns over the number of children dropping out of school due to coronavirus. By Sian Griffiths, Shingi Mararike and Emily Kent Smith.

A survey from the National Deaf Children's Society has found 27 per cent of deaf children are being taught by teachers wearing face masks, leaving many struggling to communicate and learn. By Jessica Murray, The Guardian.

Sir Peter Lampl, founder and chairman of the Sutton Trust and the Education Endowment Foundation, writes in Schools Week arguing plans to introduce one-to-one tuition in schools could help close the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their wealthier peers.

Sir Michael Wilshaw, the former chief inspector of schools, has urged retired teachers to return to the profession to help keep schools open. He has spent the last two weeks teaching at St Thomas More Catholic School, after all of its history teachers were forced to self-isolate. By Sian Griffiths, The Sunday Times.

An article in The Sunday Times explores the impact of the pandemic on young carers. By Caroline Scott.

According to iNews, this year's GCSE and A-level resits will be graded "much more generously" than those in previous years. By Will Hazell.

The Times reports on concerns that boys could be underachieving in schools due to a lack of male role models, as thousands of male teachers continue to leave the profession each year. By Greg Hurst.

Wes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North and former president of the National Union of Students, has been appointed as the shadow schools minister. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

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