Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi has ruled out a return of the “bubble” system to tackle rising COVID cases in schools, though face coverings could be made mandatory once again as part of the Government’s contingency plan. The minister said his priority is “to protect education and keep schools open”. By Adam Forrest and Zoe Tidman, The Independent.

The Telegraph reports local public health directors have advised some schools to reintroduce face masks, bubbles and self-isolation rules, prompting criticism from some parents. By Camilla Turner and Ewan Somerville.

According to Schools Week, just two per cent of the carbon dioxide monitors promised as part of the Government’s ventilation scheme have been delivered to schools, a month after the scheme started. By John Dickens.

Iain Massey, head of Sponne School in Northamptonshire, has said that staff members isolating with COVID-19 are “more of a concern” than high numbers of pupils off school. BBC News.

Colin Bell, CEO of the Council of British International Schools, writes in Tes arguing some international teachers may not be able to return to their families in the UK this Christmas because their vaccinations are not recognised in Britain.

Speaking at the National Association of Head Teachers’ conference, Tim Bowen, the union’s president, will urge the Government to “catch up” with the education recovery mission, acknowledging the sacrifices headteachers have made to educate pupils during the pandemic. Tes.

Prime minister Boris Johnson has said a “levelling up premium” worth £3,000 will help to “address teacher supply challenges and improve teacher quality” in disadvantaged schools. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

The announcement has been described by some as a repackaged version of a policy launched in 2019, which was scrapped by the Government last year. By Poppy Wood and Will Hazell, iNews.

Historian David Olusoga has said that black history should be taught to children “off curriculum and off grid”, claiming the subject is being “weaponised” as part of a culture war. By Will Humphries, The Times.

Dr Michelle Meadows, deputy chief regulator and executive director for strategy, risk and research at Ofqual, has left her position after seven years. Julie Swan has been appointed as the new deputy chief regulator, alongside her role as executive director for general qualifications. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

Writing for Independent Education Today on National Poetry Day, author and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth argues that Generation Z can find a way to communicate with their grandparents’ generation by learning poetry by heart.

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