Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), has said that it is "unforgivable" that schools still have no guidelines from the Government on how it expects them to move to the "living with COVID" phase in just two days' time. By John Roberts, Tes.

Updated government guidance on remote learning has been criticised by education experts. Geoff Barton, general secretary of ASCL, said "we need to be realistic about what is and isn't possible in terms of providing remote learning, particularly at short notice". By Matilda Martin, Tes.

According to Schools Week, ministers will overhaul the flagship National Tutoring Programme so that all the COVID catch-up funding goes straight to schools next year. By Samantha Booth and John Dickens.

The Times reports that Jackie Baillie, Scotland's deputy Labour leader, has confirmed that pupils in Scotland will be told to stay at home if they have coronavirus symptoms when testing ends "without knowing if it’s a cold or COVID". By Mark McLaughlin.

The National Education Union (NEU) has challenged the education secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, on the evidence used to support the Government’s drive for full academisation by 2030, describing it as “extremely weak” and potentially “misleading”. By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

According to a Teacher Tapp survey, currently only around half of English and maths teachers say their schools inform parents about interventions to stop their children falling behind, a key element of the new “parent pledge” outlined in this week’s schools white paper. By James Carr, Schools Week.

BBC News takes a closer look at some of the voices and research calling for more diverse school governing boards. Philip Drew, chair of governors at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, said: "If you put different opinions and different experiences and different perspectives in the room, you will get a better decision." By Hazel Shearing.

A report by the Higher Education Policy Institute is calling for government funding to build “China competency” in the education system and tackle what has been described as a “generational challenge” to improve China literacy in the UK. By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

Mark Drakeford, Wales’ first minister, and Adam Price, leader of Plaid Cymru, have said that free school meals will be extended to all primary schoolchildren in Wales by September 2024. BBC News.

Educational publisher Pearson has rejected a third offer of £6.7 billion from the private equity firm Apollo Global, claiming it “significantly undervalued the company and its future prospects”. By Patrick Hosking, The Times.

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