Ben Pearson tagged articles - Bedford Independent

February half-term to move back a week after being ‘out of kilter’ with neighbouring authorities

The proposed school term dates for the 2023 academic year have been agreed by Bedford Borough Council, including beginning the February half-term holiday a week later...

Schools’ performance data should be viewed with “a great deal of caution”, meeting told

National data sets on school performance should be viewed with “a great deal of caution” as they come without any national moderation. The Children’s Services Overview...

“Quick decision” on allocation of £1m additional education funding could mean money is “wasted”

Concerns have been raised that the speed at which extra funding for schools was allocated could mean that money is ‘wasted’...

Warnings given over Bedford teachers’ “perverse incentive” to remain unvaccinated

This school term has seen the highest number of Covid cases in schools since the pandemic began. Meanwhile, one councillor suggested teachers had a ‘perverse incentive’ to remain unvaccinated...

School attendance ‘above national average’ as children want to get back to the classroom

Attendance at state-funded schools in Bedford borough was above the national average last term, which shows that “children and young people want to get...

Police investigate “horrific” TikTok videos of Bedford teachers

“Pretty horrific” videos of teachers and other adults in Bedford schools have been uploaded to TikTok – and some of have involved police action. And while the council has declined to...

New policy for keeping Bedford children safe approved by Borough Council

Guidance for keeping children safe in education has been divided into two sections to include a section for ‘low level’ concerns, a meeting heard. And these include situations like teachers...

New COVID guidance for Bedford schools not aligned with DfE policy

New guidance sent to Bedford schools by the council's Director of Public Health during half-term does not officially align with Department for Education policy. Ben Pearson, the Bedford...

The return to school for Bedford students has started “differently” this term

Bedford Borough Council’s chief officer for education, SEND and schools, has said that he expects all school children in the Borough to now be back in school. Speaking to the Children’s...

Council “alarm” as Bedford’s maintained schools fail to spend £6.4m during pandemic

Maintained schools in Bedford borough have put an extra £2 million of taxpayers’ money into their savings accounts during the pandemic, a committee heard. Bedford Borough Council’s...

Ben Pearson

Get the latest Bedford news first