Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

Williamson’s policy adviser set to be new Ofqual boss

A former academy trust boss and policy adviser to Gavin Williamson has been put forward to be the new chief regulator of Ofqual. The government has named Dr Jo Saxton as its preferred candidate for the role, following approval by the prime minister. Simon Lebus has been in post in the top job on an […]

Cottages on Durand boarding school site listed for sale as dispute over proceeds drags on

A dispute over proceeds from the sale of a failed state boarding school is dragging on four years after it closed, with two cottages on the West Sussex site now listed for sale at £500,000 apiece. Durand Academy’s satellite boarding site at St Cuthman‘s, near Midhurst, closed in 2017 after the Department for Education withdrew […]

DfE finally confirms £320m PE and sport premium will continue in 2021-22

Primary schools will continue to receive the £320 million PE and sport premium in the next academic year, the Department for Education has finally confirmed. Schools will also be able to carry forward underspends from this year and last so they can “prioritise physical activities, sport and physical education with mental health and wellbeing support, […]

Schools, pupils and their characteristics 2021: 5 things we learned

The secondary and special school populations continue to grow in England, the latest data shows, with a slight decrease in the number of primary pupils and a big fall in those attending pupil referral units. The Department for Education has published its annual schools, pupils and their characteristics data collection, which is based on the […]

DfE to unveil vision for schools, and 4 other things we learned from Gavin Williamson at the Festival of Education

Gavin Williamson has pledged to set out a “broader vision” for the school system later this year. The education secretary this afternoon addressed the Festival of Education, which is taking place virtually over the next two weeks. He spoke about his wider plans for schools, his regrets over last year’s exams and plans for primary […]

Williamson announces autumn 2021 phonics screening check

An autumn phonics screening check will take place again this year, the education secretary has announced. Gavin Williamson told the Festival of Education this afternoon that as was the case in 2020, the check will be held in the autumn “so that any pupils who need support with phonics are spotted early”. The check was […]

Spielman: Don’t ‘chop out’ safeguarding from Ofsted, give us cash to inspect it properly

Chief inspector Amanda Spielman has rejected calls to “chop out” safeguarding from Ofsted’s remit, and said the watchdog could do more with increased funding. Spielman was questioned by the Parliamentary education committee this morning following the release last week of Ofsted’s review into school sex abuse. The review accused school leaders and teachers of “consistently […]

Number 10 seeks education deputy director for new delivery unit

Number 10 is seeking a “deputy director for education, jobs and skills” to work in a new unit set up to drive policy implementation. According to a job advert, the new £71,000 to £117,800-a-year role will be based in the Number 10 Delivery Unit, a new team within the Cabinet Office that “should grow to […]

Academy trust CEOs net top gongs in Queen’s birthday honours 2021

Academy trust leaders Maura Regan and Hamid Patel have been awarded top gongs in this year’s Queen’s birthday honours list, which recognises 61 people working in or with the English schools community. Regan, chief executive of the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, is to be made a Dame, while Patel, chief executive of Star Academies, […]