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Schools Minister Nick Gibb faced questions on exams from MPs this week, in the education select committee’s inquiry into the impact of Covid-19.

While the programme reached over 90% of the targets in some southern regions, the North East came in last with less than 60% of the target number of schools for the region engaging and this lack of engagement has now become a topic of national interest.

Ministers from the Department for Education took questions in the House of Commons on Monday, following on from the announcements the week before on school opening, exams, and catch-up funding.

The House of Commons’ education select committee continued its inquiry into the impact of covid-19 on education on Tuesday, taking evidence from the recently appointed Education Recovery Commissioner, Sir Kevan Collins. Also answering questions were Professor Becky Francis, Chief Executive of the EEF, and Geoff Barton, General Secretary of ASCL.

With increasing pressure on the Government it seems clear that a return to school in some form will take place in March. While we have published a ‘Roadmap to Reopening’ with proposals for a safe return, that is only the start, with plans around longer term recovery and system reform urgently needed.

With keynote speakers including Baroness Berridge, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the School System, DfE, and National Schools Commissioner Dominic Herrington in attendance, Schools North East launched the Roadmap to Reopening with practical steps to the safe and sustained reopening of schools.

The National Network of Special Schools carried out a survey of members, all School Business Professionals in special or alternative provision settings, at the end of January to help build a picture of what testing looks like in special school settings following the introduction of lateral flow testing.

We are looking at the experiences of our school leaders on the ground through lockdown and the pandemic. This week’s ‘Talking Heads’ comes from Alan Hardie, CEO at Northumberland Church of England Academy Trust.

A month after the reopening U-turn at the beginning of this term, despite growing calls for plans to be put in place around the wider opening of schools, policymakers are still yet to announce clear guidance on reopening. While Gavin Williamson has stated that schools would receive two weeks notice, the Prime Minister announced this week that pupils would not return before 8th March.

The House of Commons education select committee continued its inquiry into left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. The committee took evidence from children’s charities and policy experts, focusing on the impact on early years.

We are looking at the experiences of our school leaders on the ground through lockdown and the pandemic. This week’s ‘Talking Heads’ comes from Rachel Campbell and Emily Carr, Co-Head Teachers at Bishopton Pupil Referral Unit.

Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green MP tabled an urgent question on Tuesday, asking the Department for Education to make a statement on the Government’s plan for the reopening of educational settings.