News

Largest academy chain AET joins criticism of PFI costs

The biggest academy chain in the country has joined other major trusts to criticise costly repayments to private firms…

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
News

Parents at Watford Grammar School refuse headteacher request to cold call for donations

The parents’ association at an academy in north London has refused the head’s request for members to phone families…

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
News

Ofsted ignores own promise and refuses to release inspection reports

Ofsted has blocked the release of inspection evidence forms for a school that requires improvement, despite telling parliament they…

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
News

Illegal schools stayed open for weeks after ‘confusing’ government advice, Ofsted claims

“Confusing” government advice led to illegal schools in Birmingham staying open for several weeks after they were identified, Ofsted has…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

REVEALED: Pupil interviews replace lesson observations for judging teaching quality

Pupil interviews are replacing graded lesson observations so senior leaders can judge teaching ability, Schools Week has learned. One…

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
News

Cumbria floods force school closures until new year

Schools across Cumbria face weeks of closure and extensive clean-up operations after Storm Desmond battered the UK’s north western…

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips


News

Heads go on teacher recruitment trips to Australia – but still can’t convince Gibb there’s a crisis

Schools are spending tens of thousands of pounds with recruitment agencies and sending emissaries to Australia to look for…

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
News

Lord Nash admits academies have been ‘untouchable’ due to funding agreement issues

Junior schools minister Lord Nash has admitted that early funding agreements have blocked the government from delivering “strong and…

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
News

Fair banding tests ‘exclude’ deprived pupils

Pupils from chaotic backgrounds face missing out on school places because they have to attend several secondary schools for…

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
News

Schools could get right to see marked GCSE papers as Ofqual consults on appeals process

Schools could get the right to request copies of marked GCSE exam papers as they consider appealing against marks,…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

GCSE and A-level grade challenges soar as schools deal with ‘anxiety’ over accountability pressures

Schools submitted 121,000 more enquiries about GCSE and A-level grades this year than in 2014, a rise of 27 per cent….

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Primary school league tables 2015: the ‘golden 28’ for key stage 2 SATs

Twenty-eight schools have overcome the odds and achieved the highest levels of progress and achievement for their disadvantaged pupils,…

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips