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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.

Options around reopening are already being discussed in the media, and there has been speculation that prioritisation of teachers for the vaccine could lead to fully reopening schools. Schools North East wrote to Gavin Williamson, Education Secretary, this week to highlight that contingency plans must be put in place as soon as possible and that any return should be done on a local level, based on the evidence and trusting in the judgement of our school leaders.

Schools North East Board Member Joanne Heaton has been awarded an OBE for services to Education. Jo became Chief Executive Officer of Northern Lights Learning Trust, Hartlepool last year and she is a valued board member of Schools North East.

The House of Commons education select committee heard from experts this week to explore the scientific evidence behind the decision to close schools during the latest national lockdown, and transmission rates among children. Giving evidence were Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jenny Harries, Professor Russell Viner, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and DfE’s Chief Scientific Advisor and Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser, Osama Rahman and Dougal Hargreaves.

Education ministers faced MPs in the House of Commons on Monday during departmental questions, with most questions focused on the continuing impact of the pandemic on schools.

At the beginning of term our school leaders went from preparing their return, and even welcoming children back in on the first day, to remote learning again in less than 24 hours as lockdown was called. Some of our Head Teachers have shared their stories.

Last week a major announcement revealed measures to postpone Ofsted, suspend school league tables and make adjustments to exams and testing. After weeks of speculation over what this could involve, an announcement was a relief for staff, but it is also clear that the measures don’t go far enough. We asked school leaders how they felt about the measures.

Northumberland based PR and design agency Fusion PR has donated to support schools in the region who are providing food for their students and local communities.

Schools minister Nick Gibb and Chief Regulator at Ofqual Dame Glenys Stacey took questions on exams in 2021 from the Education Select Committee on Tuesday. Both were questioned by the chair of the committee, Robert Halfon MP, about grade inflation, and whether or not this was likely to do anything to address the disadvantage gap.

After months of uncertainty the Department for Education has finally released measures for 2021 exams in England, providing direction for staff and students. The measures include adjustments for exams, postponement of Ofsted inspections and cancellation of KS1 SATs.

Schools North East and the North East Child Poverty Commission held a virtual panel this week to discuss the disadvantage gap in our region and the impact that the Covid pandemic is having on this issue.

The Education Select Committee continued its inquiry into left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds on Tuesday taking evidence from a range of organisations. As in previous sessions, the importance of place was emphasised.