News

DfE passes one million laptops milestone (but 250k still to go)

The government has now dispatched over one million laptops and tablets to disadvantaged pupils, leaving around 250,000 promised devices…

James Carr
James Carr
News

Primary school attendance now six times higher than in the last lockdown

Almost one in four primary pupils were in school last week, with attendance rates among younger pupils now six…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

Pearson launches ‘major’ consultation into the future of exams amid calls for end to GCSEs

The exam board Pearson has launched a “major” consultation into the future of exams, following calls for GCSEs to…

Samantha Booth
Samantha Booth
News

Edenred won third free school meals voucher contract without open tender

The Department for Education failed to run an open tender for the most recent free school meals voucher contract,…

Jess Staufenberg
Jess Staufenberg
News

International QTS proposal gives SCITTs chance to expand overseas

Government proposals for an international QTS qualification represent a “real opportunity” for school-based providers to expand overseas, teacher training…

Jess Staufenberg
Jess Staufenberg
News

DfE tight-lipped over attendance league tables proposal

Ministers have been urged to clarify whether an “absurd” plan to base league tables on school attendance this year…

James Carr
James Carr


News

Covid testing: More than 3m tests carried out by schools, and 4 other things we learned

Schools and colleges in England have reported the results of over three million tests since the start of the…

James Carr
James Carr
News

Let schools tell pupils their teacher assessment grades before submission, says exam board

Strict rules forbidding schools from telling pupils their teacher assessment grades should be dropped this year to prevent “sudden…

Samantha Booth
Samantha Booth
News

DfE faces £263k bonus bill for staff who helped set up mass testing scheme

The Department for Education faces a bill of up to £263,000 after asking staff to work over Christmas to…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

Sprinklers still not mandatory for school rebuilding projects

Sprinklers are unlikely to be made mandatory in the 50 school rebuilding projects announced last week because the government’s…

Samantha Booth
Samantha Booth
News

Heads demand transparency over £1 billion school rebuilding programme

Leaders want transparency from ministers over how they select rebuilding projects after it emerged two schools getting a share…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

Length of Ofsted’s remote inspections reduced to one day

Ofsted’s remote monitoring inspections will be reduced to one day after February half-term, it has been announced. The schools…

James Carr
James Carr