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Daily News Summary
25 November 2021

Coronavirus: Parents urged to use the national vaccination booking website for eligible children
MasterChef judge urges schools to bring back cooking classes
"We are doing all we can to support our teachers through this collective consultation process," says GDST chief executive
Maths school to open in 2023 in collaboration with Cambridge University
Ofsted rejects a third of school deferral requests
Investigate academy trusts building up “substantial reserves”, watchdog says
Tes explores the challenges presented by the change to uniform laws

Coronavirus: Parents urged to use the national vaccination booking website for eligible children

 

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, has urged parents of under 16s to use the national vaccination booking website instead of waiting for 12 to 15-year-olds to be jabbed at school. By Laura Donnelly, The Telegraph.

A survey from the Education Support charity has found that more than three in four school staff experienced symptoms of poor mental health linked to their work in the past year. Tes.

Leicestershire County Council has asked secondary school children to wear face masks in communal areas of schools to reduce the spread of COVID infections. BBC News.

School trip provider PGL has been force to postpone between 40 to 50 trips to Austria and Italy because vaccination requirements for entry to venues has made the holidays “unviable”. By Brendan McFadden, iNews.

Dr Nick Capstick, head of Drove Primary School in Wiltshire, is leading a review of the quality of school meals during COVID. Mr Capstick said that the review is "building the case for a post-COVID reset of school food". BBC News.

The NASUWT has warned that the current guidance on ventilation in classrooms could lead to “unsafe working practices in schools". By Zoe Tidman, The Independent.

A number of schools have opted to record nativity plays this year - with parents able to watch a live stream or DVD of the show - to minimise the spread of COVID infections. By Alannah Francis, iNews.

 

MasterChef judge urges schools to bring back cooking classes

 

MasterChef judge Marcus Wareing has urged schools to “bring back” practical subjects like home economics to fill workforce shortages in hospitality as a result of Brexit. Speaking at the Girls' Schools Association annual conference, Mr Wareing said: “I’ve never, ever seen a staff shortage like I’m seeing right now in hospitality." By Will Hazell, iNews.

 
iNews

"We are doing all we can to support our teachers through this collective consultation process," says GDST chief executive

 

Cheryl Giovannoni, chief executive of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), has said that the decision to propose changes to teachers’ pensions “has not been taken lightly”. By Jo Golding, Independent Education Today.

 
IE Today

Maths school to open in 2023 in collaboration with Cambridge University

 

A new maths school for 16 to 19-year-olds, set up in collaboration with Cambridge University, will open in 2023 to help address the UK's skills shortage in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects. BBC News.

 
BBC

Ofsted rejects a third of school deferral requests

 

According to Tes, Ofsted has rejected around a third of requests from schools asking to defer inspections this term because of COVID-19 disruption. By John Roberts.

 
Tes

Investigate academy trusts building up “substantial reserves”, watchdog says

 

The National Audit Office has told the Department for Education it should investigate academy trusts building up “substantial reserves”. By Tom Belger, Schools Week.

 
Schools Week

Tes explores the challenges presented by the change to uniform laws

 

Tes takes a closer look at the issues surrounding a new law that compels schools to ensure the costs of their uniforms are kept low, second-hand items are available and their uniform is environmentally friendly. By Caroline Derbyshire and Caroline Barlow.

 
Tes

 

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