We’re officially in December, and the Christmas countdown is in full swing. But alongside the usual festive celebrations in schools, leaders have also been dealing with new Covid-19 restrictions and rising concerns over the Omicron variant.
Catch up with everything you need to know here.
News
School leaders’ weeks began on Sunday when a Department for Education email informed them that all school staff and pupils in Year 7 and above are being strongly advised to wear masks in communal areas because of concerns over the Omicron variant.
Despite the heightened Covid concerns education secretary Nadhim Zahawi has said his “very strong advice” is for school nativity plays to go ahead.
The government plans to keep schools open until the Christmas holidays, an education minister has said.
The latest figures show pupil absence due to Covid-19 has increased by 62 per cent in two weeks, with teacher absence also seeing a substantial rise.
Teacher trainees will now not start newly reformed courses until September 2024 - a year later than originally planned - the government has announced this week.
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