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20 April 2026

Author: Freddie Whittaker

Teacher training needs reform, but the government’s review isn’t nearly ambitious enough

The government’s initial teacher training review has the potential to improve some aspects of provision, but could prove to be a missed opportunity, warns Jonathan Mountstevens. Experience tells me that initial teacher training needs reform. As a secondary senior leader, I have seen plenty of newly qualified teachers who have imbibed discredited ideas about learning […]

Secondary school admission appeals fall for first time in six years

The number of secondary school admission appeals heard in England has fallen for the first time in at least six years, new figures show. Parents whose children are refused a place at a school they applied for have the right to appeal against the decision. These appeals are heard by independent panels. Data published by the […]

National insurance rise: Government to ‘compensate’ public sector employers

The government plans to “compensate” schools and other public sector employers for national insurance contribution increases under new health and social care reforms. Prime minister Boris Johnson today set out plans to increase national insurance contributions by both employees and employers by 1.25 percentage points from next April. The so-called “health and social care levy”, […]

Vaccines for teens will take place in schools if approved, says minister

Vaccines for 12 to 15-year-olds will be administered in schools if their use for that age group is given the go-ahead, Nick Gibb has confirmed. But the government believes schools will not need additional resources should vaccinations of younger teenagers go ahead, though NHS capacity would be needed. The schools minister confirmed today that government […]

2022 exams grading plan will be confirmed in October, says Ofqual

A decision on how exams will be graded in 2022 will be announced next month, Ofqual has said. Ofqual chair Ian Bauckham told the Parliamentary education committee this morning that the regulator would confirm grading arrangements in October. But the outcome of a consultation on modifications to assessments next year is still potentially weeks away, […]

Just 41 schools due to receive CO2 monitors this week

Just 41 schools in London are due to receive CO2 monitors this week, with just 517 devices due to be sent out, according to a schedule sent to schools. The government announced last month that it would provide around 300,000 carbon dioxide monitors to state schools to help them tackle poor ventilation. Education secretary Gavin […]