Loneliness in the pandemic has been more intense for young people in poor, urban areas.
Inspectors will attend "a sample of schools and colleges" to see how well they support pupils.
Phones should not be used or seen during the school day, the education secretary says.
School staff helped families struggling financially during pandemic, says the National Education Union.
A report calls on the government to create a food security minister to protect the vulnerable.
Face masks in classrooms in England will remain at least until May, says education secretary.
A union conference hears staff are subjected to "derogatory sexualised" language and violence.
Implementing the changes in 2022 does not give schools sufficient time post-pandemic, a union says.
A teachers' union warns a lack of funding during the pandemic is placing staff and pupils at risk.
Million students still waiting for a university return date, with calls for it to be April not May.
