Schools and colleges endured a 'constant rolling nightmare' after government's backtracking on exams, councillor says

Sign up to the M.E.N.'s Manchester Family newsletter for all the latest from school closures to ways to entertain the kidsPlans for daily Covid tests in schools have been halted amid concerns over the new variant.The idea was that pupils who were identified as close contacts of a positive case would be tested daily for seven days, as an alternative to them having to self-isolate.Unveiled as a 'milestone moment' when it was unveiled by ministers, it was billed as a critical move in fighting the

direct to your inboxBringing the Metrolink to Stalybridge would be a ‘downgrade’ and residents ‘don’t want’ to be linked to the tram network, a councillor has claimed.A heated debate flared at a meeting of Tameside’s full council about plans to extend the borough’s tram routes to reach Stalybridge.The proposal has been included as part of the first five-year plans of the Greater Manchester’s wider transport strategy, which runs through to 2040.Released alongside the Greater Manchester Spatial

direct to your inboxManchester council is planning cuts of nearly £50m this year - including wiping millions from homelessness spending - despite ‘better than expected’ support from the government.Council tax could rise by almost five per cent, raising £8.5m to prevent further cuts to frontline services such as adult social care.Town hall leaders had been preparing for a ‘worst case scenario’ of a £103m black hole in their finances caused by dramatic losses of income and increased Covid-related

straight to your inbox every day for freePaul Pogba has opened up on the mental impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on him and explained why it has given him a reality check about the important things in life.Manchester United midfielder Pogba tested positive for the virus last August and was forced to spend 10 days in quarantine before returning to pre-season training.

straight to your inbox every day for freeWayne Rooney has heaped praise on Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford for challenging the government on a number of key issues over the past year.Rashford successfully campaigned for the government to continue the free school meals scheme last year and held the government accountable again this week after images of the shocking packages vulnerable families had received went viral on social media.Prime Minister Boris Johnson branded the food packages

What do you think about the plans for parents to test primary children at home? Have you been asked permission for your child to have the test at secondary school? Let us know in the comments here, or share your views on our Manchester Family Facebook page. The plan at secondaries and colleges is for all pupils and staff to be tested before returning to school from lockdown - and then tested on a weekly basis.Once they are back in, if they are found to be a close contact of a positive case then

What do you think about the safety of schools? Do you think teachers and school staff should be prioritised for the vaccine? Let us know in the comments here, or on our Manchester Family Facebook page. Teacher unions have been calling for all those working in education and childcare settings to be vaccinated.

What do you think about the safety of schools? Do you think closing them was the right decision? Are you a school worker who is concerned about safety? Let us know in the comments here, or on our Manchester Family Facebook page. Answering a question about the safety of schools on BBC Radio 5 Live today, England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, said: "Are they safe for children, the answer is absolutely yes - in large part due to the fantastic work teachers have done, but the main

direct to your inboxMatt Hancock has stressed to parents that schools are for key workers' children only during the third national lockdown. It comes after rows erupted over parents 'needlessly' taking up key worker spaces in schools.

What do you think about the Education Secretary telling parents to report schools? What's been your experience of remote learning? Are you a teacher who's angered by the government's response? Let us know in the comments here, or share your views on our Manchester Family Facebook page. Lee, whose Facebook page ICT with Mr P, on which he shares light-hearted posts about school life, has become a massive hit with teachers and parents, added: "If anything, the whole pandemic has shown how Ofsted

Have you applied for a key worker or vulnerable child place? Has your child's school confirmed your place? Let us know in the comments here "In Manchester we have very high numbers of vulnerable and key worker children and schools are in the incredibly difficult position of trying to work out who they can make an offer of an on-site school place to, with no guidance from government on crucial details."The government has failed to prepare for another period of school closure and it is now

straight to your inbox every day for freeMarcus Rashford has welcomed the news that pupils entitled to free school meals will still get them while schools are closed.The Manchester United footballer described the decision as “progress” and said the provision of meals for hungry children “should never be in question”.His comments come after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that all primaries, secondaries and colleges in England would close as part of a national lockdown.Free school meals

Follow our dedicated live blog here The ones that are closed are providing places for key worker and vulnerable children, as they did during the first lockdown. If your child's school has closed, get in touch with us on our Manchester Family Facebook page here, let us know in the comments here, or email [email protected]. These are the schools that have closed by boroughMount Carmel RC, BlakleyOswald Road Primary, ChorltonSt Peter's Catholic Primary, WythenshaweBirchfields Primary,

direct to your inboxA number of primary schools in Greater Manchester reopened on Monday - while others decided to stay closed.Many children were due to return to class today following the Christmas holidays, but it's not been possible for some after teachers followed union advice to stay away.It was at the weekend when union leaders held an emergency meeting and advised members that they have the 'legal right' not to turn up for work due to health and safety concerns in light of rising

direct to your inboxStockport MP Nav Mishra has called for primary schools in Tier 4 to remain closed while coronavirus infection rates continue to rise.Primary schools across London and in south east England are to stay shut following a government U-turn, due to the new variant of coronavirus driving sky-high rates.But Mr Mishra says if schools in those areas are not safe to open for the new term, then neither are those in areas under the toughest restrictions.This includes Greater Manchester

Follow our dedicated live blog hereThe ones that are closed are providing places for key worker and vulnerable children, as they did during the first lockdown.And some that were due to reopen later this week are warning parents they'll be staying closed.If your child's school has closed, get in touch with us on our Manchester Family Facebook page here, let us know in the comments here, or email [email protected] are the schools that have closed by boroughMount Carmel RC, BlakleyOswald

direct to your inboxSchools across Greater Manchester have announced that they will not be opening to pupils on Monday (January 4). The Manchester Evening News has been contacted about nine school closures across the region so far, but many more are expected to announce that they will remain closed.