Exams

Schools ‘over a barrel’ as exam fees rise again

Cost of exams will increase at a greater rate than school funding in 2026, with some provided by AQA…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
Ofsted

Ofsted inspectors to get four days of online training ahead of new framework

‘Underpinning skills programme’ comes on top of planned in-person and live online training, and inspectors also expected to spend…

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Lydia Chantler-Hicks
AI

Public divided over AI use in schools

Adults generally support teachers using AI for administration, but are more likely to oppose its use for marking

Ruth Lucas
Ruth Lucas
PE and sports

Schools locked out of PE premium reporting system can submit returns in September, says DfE

Government confirms schools will receive ‘support’ to file returns in the new academic year

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
Support staff

3.2% pay rise for school support staff agreed

But unions say workers ‘will be disappointed’ and ‘far more’ will be required in the future

Ruth Lucas
Ruth Lucas
Unions

Matt Wrack wins NASUWT leadership election

Ex-FBU general secretary wins in first contested election in decades, but less than 5 per cent of members take…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker


post-16

Raising participation age to 18 had ‘limited impact’, study suggests

But researchers say the policy has ‘untapped potential to expand learning opportunities’ as they call for a review

Ruth Lucas
Ruth Lucas
SEND

Abu Dhabi-owned SEND school firm profits soar to £45m

Witherslack said more pupils in its independent special schools had helped deliver a 30 per cent profit boost

Chaminda Jayanetti
Chaminda Jayanetti
News

BTECs axe will cause huge ‘qualifications gap’, ministers warned

Report claims key areas of the economy will be hit by scrapping ‘vital’ courses amid slow T-levels growth

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Teacher pay

Ministers ask for three-year teacher pay proposals and directed time review

Teacher pay body also told to consider a salary safeguarding reduction and allow maintained schools to pay bonuses

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
Ofsted

Missed inspection targets and 5 more findings from Ofsted’s annual report

Ofsted’s staff are also less happy this year, and turnover rates remain above civil service targets, a new report…

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Inequality

Members revealed for white working-class kids inquiry

Trust heads, union leaders and two former education secretaries included on group investigating issue

Ruth Lucas
Ruth Lucas