Alix Robertson | Schools Week

On notice: 27 private schools warned by DfE

The government has made public 27 warning notices issued to private schools that failed to meet its independent school standards. Schools Week senior reporter Alix Robertson took an in-depth look at the documents. Religious schools: From the sublime to the ridiculous Gender segregation, narrow curriculums and failures to prepare pupils for life in British society […]

Ashwell Academy Trust given financial notice to improve

An academy trust in Hull has been hit with a financial notice to improve for failing to submit audited financial statements to the Education and Skills Funding Agency last year. Ashwell Academy Trust, which runs Ashwell Academy, an 11-to-16 alternative provision setting rated ‘requires improvement’ by Ofsted, broke the terms of its funding agreement by […]

NAHT: Schools can’t get hold of mental health support for children

Over 90 per cent of teachers are unable to access specialist mental health support for the children in their school when it’s needed, according to a poll taken by school leaders’ union NAHT at its national conference in Liverpool today. Paul Whiteman, NAHT’s general secretary, said the system is “in crisis”, with unsupported children and young […]

National supply teacher agency database open from September

A new government project will help schools get value for money when hiring agency supply teachers. Developed with the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), schools will get access to a new national list of preferred suppliers when recruiting supply teachers and other temporary staff. The list is expected to be available from September and will cover […]

NAHT partners with Institute of School Business Leadership

School leaders’ union NAHT has announced a new partnership with The Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), in response to the growing role of school business leaders. A joint conference is being planned for next year and members who join both NAHT and ISBL will receive a 25 per cent discount on each membership. School […]

Heads back call for more male early-years teachers

Members of school leaders’ union NAHT will debate the need for more male early-years teachers on Friday. The government must tackle the perception that early years education “lacks status and importance” and attracts lower pay to attract more men, according to James Bowen, who represents middle leaders at the union. Currently, just three per cent […]

DfE launches money-saving estate management guide

A new guide has been released by the Department for Education to help schools manage their sites and keep costs down. The ‘Good estate management for schools’ (GEMS) guidance includes a set of self-assessment questions to help headteachers and governing boards to gauge where they are doing well and which areas require more attention. It […]

Kent private school seeks unpaid intern for one year’s work

A private school run by the United Learning multi-academy trust is seeking an artist to work weekends for free in its boarding house. The “artist in residence” internship at the £5,600-a-term Ashford School in Kent requires the successful candidate to work in the school’s boarding house on a rota, as well as running an art […]

Funding rules prevent MATs from building affordable homes for teachers

School leaders want to offer teachers accommodation to help solve the recruitment crisis, but, as ever, finding the money is too hard. Over the last six months The Harris Federation, one of the country’s largest multi-academy trusts, which runs 44 schools in London, has been working on a project to build up to 100 homes […]