The government recently launched new measures to help tackle widespread school absences. Launched as pupils were due to head back into the classroom following their Christmas break, the new measures are designed to drive up attendance and tackle persistent absences at schools in England. Figures show that the number of pupils frequently absent from...
HSE publishes asbestos report for schools
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a report about the management of asbestos in schools, including key safety recommendations. Britain’s health and safety watchdog visited over 400 primary and secondary schools across England, Scotland and Wales between September 2022 and March 2023. They wanted to check that schools were effectively managing the...
School fined £35,000 for ‘shocking and scary’ burn incident
A primary school has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and fined £35,000 for “common sense” safety failings that led to a “shocking and scary” burn incident involving a young child. The London-based school had pleaded not guilty to breaching health and safety regulations but were found guilty following a trial...
Pupil mental health and teacher welfare a key concern for parents
A new survey has found there are high levels of parental concern about pupil mental health and teacher welfare in Britain’s schools. The Ipsos survey focused on attitudes to education in Britain and how well people rate the quality of the nation’s schools, colleges and universities. Over 2,200 British adults aged 18 or over...
‘Disruptive’ Covid school rules to end
Covid-19 control measures for schools, which mean that groups of pupils have to self-isolate when one tests positive, could come to an end in the autumn, it has been suggested. The new Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, has pledged to address the issue after figures revealed that 279,000 children in England were self-isolating after having...
Department for Education had ‘no plan’ to deal with pandemic
A group of MPs has claimed that the Department for Education (DfE) had “no plan” to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. A report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) says the DfE struggled to react to the unfolding pandemic in a timely and effective way and that their failure to set standards for both...
New helpline for abuse in education receives hundreds of calls
The NSPCC’s new independently run Report Abuse in Education helpline has received hundreds of calls since it was launched on 1st April this year. Commissioned by the Department for Education, the helpline was set up by the national children’s charity after thousands of testimonies alleging child sexual abuse and harassment in schools were posted...
Survey reveals impact of coronavirus on UK children
A new survey capturing the experiences of children and young people during the pandemic has revealed many have faced mental health challenges over the past year. Conducted by Survation for Newsround, the survey asked over 2,000 6–16-year-olds from all across the UK about their experiences during 2020-21, questioning them about a range of issues,...
Government assurances to parents as schools return
The government has laid out guidance, information and assurances about early years providers, schools and colleges for parents. While nurseries and childminders have remained open and allowed children to attend their usual hours during the third national lockdown in England, schools are due to reopen for all students from 8th March. The government has...