On Thursday, the Education Secretary outlined the Government’s plan for awarding exam results this summer. Teacher assessments will be used to issue grades to pupils after formal exams were cancelled following the partial closure of school. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defended plans for teachers to grade GCSE and A-level exams in England this summer as a "good compromise".

Earlier in the week the Prime Minister announced the Government’s roadmap for removing lockdown restrictions, which will see all school pupils and students on practical university courses return to education on 8 March. The Association of Colleges’ chief executive, David Hughes responded by noting that “it’s good to hear” that many college students will be returning to face-to-face learning from next month.

On Wednesday, the Education Secretary announced a £700m package to aid the education recovery for children and young people. The recovery plan will focus on an expansion of one-to-one and small group tutoring programmes as well as supporting the development of disadvantaged children in early years settings. Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Kate Green stated that the Government’s education recovery plan “lacks ambition”.

The week was rounded off by Gavin Williamson’s speech launching the digital learning review, where he reiterated his drive to end the dominance of the three-year bachelor’s degree, pointing out there were better ways of learning for many, including Higher National Diplomas.