Education Secretary Gavin Williamson calls on Labour-run councils to open every primary school

Children in areas where councils have so far refused to reopen schools must be allowed to return to classes, the Education Secretary says today. Primary pupils across England were welcomed back by their teachers yesterday despite warnings from the hardline National Education Union. Up to 70 per cent of eligible youngsters returned after a ten-week … Read more

TV’s Anna Williamson looks to a future long after lockdown

TV presenter Anna Williamson is feeling lucky that she has saved for a rainy day.  The star of Celebs Go Dating says coronavirus has had an ‘enormous’ impact on her financially, but it has also made her feel thankful for what she has, including her good health.  If she were the Chancellor, she would provide … Read more

Gavin Williamson says it will be ‘a long journey’ to get schools back to normal

Schools face a ‘long journey’ before they are able to return to normal, Gavin Williamson admitted today as he insisted classes must restart on June 1 for the mental health of children. The Education Secretary acknowledged that there would be ‘initial nervousness’ from parents about releasing their children from the months’ long shutdown. But he said … Read more

Children MUST get back to school, insists Gavin Williamson, brushing off concerns over pupil safety

Gavin Williamson piled pressure on teaching unions and local politicians today as he warned of the dire ‘consequences if children did not start returning to school. The Education Secretary made a blunt appeal to the emotions of parents tonight as he insisted planning can begin to reopen classrooms from as early as next month. Outlining … Read more

Schools will reopen in ‘phased manner’ after lockdown, says Education Secretary Gavin Williamson

Schools will reopen in ‘phased manner’ after lockdown, says Education Secretary Gavin Williamson Gavin Williamson did not give a fixed date for reopening schools across England But Education Secretary said when it happens it will be done in ‘phased manner’ Schools across the UK have been closed to most pupils ever since March 20  By … Read more

Boris Johnson was ‘driving’ response despite ‘skipping’ FIVE Cobra meetings, says Gavin Williamson

Boris Johnson was ‘driving’ the government’s coronavirus response despite ‘skipping’ five Cobra meetings at the start of the outbreak, Gavin Williamson insisted tonight.  The Education Secretary defended the PM’s handling amid a mounting backlash at the slow action in gearing up to the looming crisis. Mr Johnson has been accused of taking a backseat role … Read more

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson dodges calls to spell out coronavirus ‘exit strategy’

Gavin Williamson tonight dismissed calls to spell out an ‘exit strategy’ from coronavirus lockdown – despite claims ministers want schools to reopen after May 11.  The Education Secretary defied a growing clamour for clarity, insisting he could not ‘give a date’ for pupils to get back to the classroom.  The comments came amid the first … Read more

Gavin Williamson fears keeping schools shut until Whitsun could cause issues

Have you, like me, had enough yet? This is the fourth week of school closures and tempers in my household are starting to fray. Not a day seems to go by without me shouting at my 13-year-old daughter to get out of bed, to put her phone down and to tidy up after herself. When … Read more

Pressure grows on Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to shut down classrooms for a month

D-Day for a total school shutdown: Pressure grows on Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to shut down classrooms for a month to combat spread of coronavirus Ministers have resisted calls to follow other countries which have shut schools Gavin Williamson will today meet school leaders to discuss the next move  He was warned that one tactic, … Read more

NBA stars Zion Williamson and Blake Griffin donate money to arena staff amid coronavirus pandemic

The number of NBA players donating money to arena workers in the wake of the season being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic continues to grow. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zion Williamson and Blake Griffin are among the high profile stars who joined Kevin Love in making substantial contributions to arena staff who are missing out on … Read more