It is not an exaggeration to describe what is happening in our schools as a crisis.
In the last week more than 640,000 pupils in England were absent because of Covid.
But this figure only tells half the story.
A further 600,000 children missed school for other reasons such as truanting and sickness.
This drop in attendance comes after months of disruption to children’s education.
How do you think the Government has handled the disruption to schools? Have your say in the comment section
Hapless Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has finally decided to dispense with the bubble system after figures showed less than 5% of those sent home had Covid.
We shall have to wait until the new term starts in September to see if the alternative arrangements are successful.
When so many classroom hours have been lost there should have been a properly resourced education catch-up plan.
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But ministers are spending just £1.4billion on support, far below the £15bn called for by the former recovery tsar Sir Kevan Collins.
By failing to stump up the money, this Government has betrayed a generation of kids.
Never give up
For half a century the Stockwell Six had pleaded their innocence.
And they were ignored and betrayed by the police and criminal justice system.
This miscarriage of justice was finally put right yesterday when three of the six were acquitted by the Court of Appeal.
It should not have taken five decades for their names to be cleared. They lost the best years of their lives because they were stitched up by a corrupt police officer.
Their vindication should inspire others fighting for justice to never give up hope.
3 Lions roaring
There have been 55 years of hurt since England last won a major tournament.
The Three Lions face Denmark for a spot in the Euro 2020 final tonight.
Gareth Southgate’s team have the skills and the passion but, most importantly, they have the belief they can make history.
