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Daily News Summary
7 October 2021

Coronavirus: Education secretary rules out the return of the "bubble" system
Ministers urged to "catch up" with education recovery
Boris Johnson announces £3,000 premium for maths and science teachers
Black history should be taught off the curriculum, historian argues
Ofqual deputy chief regulator leaves after seven years in post
'Learning poetry by heart can help Generation Z connect with older generations'

Coronavirus: Education secretary rules out the return of the "bubble" system

 

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.

 

Ministers urged to "catch up" with education recovery

 

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.

 
Tes

Boris Johnson announces £3,000 premium for maths and science teachers

 

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.

 

Black history should be taught off the curriculum, historian argues

 

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.

 
The Times

Ofqual deputy chief regulator leaves after seven years in post

 

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.

 
Schools Week

'Learning poetry by heart can help Generation Z connect with older generations'

 

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.

 
IE Today

 

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