Health
Reopening universities will almost certainly not cause 50,000 deaths
This assumes that every student in the UK catches Covid-19 this autumn, and that nothing is done to stop it Read
Fact checks
Education
We fact check and explain issues about schools, teacher shortages, childcare, universities, and qualifications.
Health
Claims of pandemic fall in child anxiety may not apply across the whole country
A study which found that students’ anxiety levels were lower during the pandemic than in October 2019 was conducted among year 9 students in the south west of England. Read
Fact checks
Education
What do we know about Covid-19 transmission in schools?
The evidence is limited as fewer children have attended school during the pandemic, but broadly suggests that while there is some risk, schools aren’t likely to play a large role in transmission. Read
Fact checks
Education
Gavin Williamson did not say pupils will be overpromoted into jobs that are beyond their competence
Comments about A-level results incorrectly attributed to the Education Secretary have been widely shared. Read
Fact checks
Education
The government’s education funding figures need context
Figures given by the Department for Education about the amount of weekly funding for schools do not give the full picture. Read
Fact checks
Education
Data from Barnardo’s doesn’t show the number of children needing foster care has grown 44%
Barnardo’s has seen a 44% increase in the number of children referred from councils to be placed in foster care during the pandemic. Read
Fact checks
Education
Boris Johnson overstates number of schools with returning students
Boris Johnson was wrong to say that 97% of primary schools which report data had kids coming back. The figure on the day he was speaking was 69%. Read
Fact checks
Education
Some children with no recourse to public funds are eligible for free school meals
A question at PMQs by Labour MP Stephen Timms suggested this wasn’t the case. Free school meal eligibility has been temporarily extended to some of these children. Read
Fact checks
Education
The figure of 1 million children not returning to school is uncertain
Teachers were surveyed between 7 and 17 May on whether they thought families would send their children back to school when they reopened. Read
Fact checks
Health
SAGE did not advise against reopening schools on 1 June
This was the opinion of the Independent SAGE, who are a different group of scientists. Read
Fact checks
