Best help desk

SECONDARY school kids won't all be able to go back on the dot on March 8 as they have to be tested first, Gavin Williamson confirmed today. The Education Secretary stressed that schools could have a few days to get all their children back in as they would need to organise dishing out the tests. Secondary school kids are to be tested twice a week under fresh plans to get children back in the classroom from March 8 - with the first two done in schools. They must be done at least three days apart, meaning millions may not be going back until the week after. As officials said earlier this week, kids will be allowed a staggered return in order to sort out the system. Breakfast and after-school clubs and children's sport can also start again. Primary pupils will not have to be tested or wear masks. But all secondary school children must take four tests within the first fortnight of reopening. Teens will be free to attend class after their first negative test but … [Read more...] about Secondary school kids WON’T all go back on March 8 as they have to be tested first, Gavin Williamson confirms

From the outside I’m sure most of you know me as that smiley woman from the TV. And largely, I am. I love socialising, I love meeting new people and I love my work. I love to laugh. That’s me . But there are still days where I feel low. These low days look different for everyone – I personally go quiet, inwards, shut myself off. I’ve been really open about how I see a therapist, and how that was such a positive change in my life. That said, it was only through my recent BBC documentary, The Truth About Improving Your Mental Health that I was told I was depressed. Looking at my daily life, many would wonder how I could be ‘depressed’. But mental illness doesn’t work like that. It’s so easy to think there are people worse off than us and we have no right to feel sorry for ourselves. But that thought process alone can be really dangerous, and lead to bigger problems. Mental illness can strike anyone at any time - no matter your age, gender or race. It doesn’t … [Read more...] about I’m a tough cookie and put on a brave face but I’ve been depressed and struggled to cope, says Alex Scott

UK holidays are jumping in price due to demand, with some costing as much as £600 more following the lockdown announcement. Yesterday, Boris Johnson confirmed that self-catered holidays could go ahead from April 12 , following by hotels from May 17. While there are still restrictions in place - one household only in April, rising to two households on holiday from May - it has already resulted in a huge rush to book in a holiday. Sykes Holiday Cottage bookings were up 150 per cent year-on-year with a booking taken every eight seconds after the PM's announcement, while Away resorts saw bookings up 243 per cent compared to last year. According to research team Mitel , domestic holidays are expected to hit a 10-year high, with Brits to spend more than £7bn - up £5.8bn in 2019. However, this has also led to soaring prices, as happens when demand goes when capacity is limited. A number of people who booked their holidays after the announcement have been complaining on … [Read more...] about UK holiday prices jump 100% & families face paying thousands more – but there are still decent deals to be had

Before the days of Instagram, Paris Hilton was the first celebrity to really master the art of being famous for being famous. As the loaded heiress to the Hilton hotel chain, Paris - who turns 40 today - turned up at the best parties, wore the best clothes and surrounded herself with the hottest stars of the moment including Nicole Richie, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan. Using her 'ditzy' persona and obvious sex appeal, Paris made a mint launching everything from perfumes and clothing stores to books, fake tans, wines and everything in between in a business model that would later help the likes of Katie Price make millions. And it was all aided by Paris' best friend and wardrobe organiser Kim Kardashian , who reportedly worked tirelessly behind the scenes leaking stories to the media on Paris' behalf to raise her profile as she pioneered the art of turning partying into profit. "She was the ultimate package that corporate America would want to make for itself as a … [Read more...] about Paris Hilton now after Kim Kardashian butt slur, Nicole Richie truce and egg freezing

Pupils may not be back in the classroom within the week of March 8 as schools struggle to ramp up mass-testing. Heads across England are planning a staggered return over the course of the week as they test millions of secondary students. But some may be forced to delay the return to lessons even longer as they embark on the huge logistical operation. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson insisted: “They’ve got a week to bring all those pupils back, so they can be tested during that week.” But Downing Street was unable to guarantee that all pupils would have face-to-face learning by the end of the week. Boris Johnson ’s official spokesman said: “We want children to back in the classroom as soon as they can. “There is a bit of flexibility in terms of secondary schools, making sure the appropriate testing can happen.” Do you enjoy reading about politics? Sign up for all the best politics news from the Mirror Government sources admitted that “some schools” would be … [Read more...] about Teachers’ stark warning as they say ‘extremely unlikely’ all kids back on March 8