Author: Freddie Whittaker

The Department for Education has published its definition of “coasting” schools in 2017. Schools defined as coasting by the government are targeted for intervention. For local authority-maintained schools, this can include forced transfer to an academy sponsor,  while coasting academies can face being rebrokered to a new sponsor. In 2017, a secondary school will be […]

The head of the Department for Education has admitted that the failed National Teaching Service was developed “in a bit of a hurry” and did not adequately incentivise teachers or schools to take part. Jonathan Slater, the DfE’s permanent secretary, has told MPs that the service failed because it did not offer teachers enough money […]

The government hopes to launch a trial of its new national teacher vacancy service early next year, a senior official has said. Paul Kett, the Department for Education’s director-general for education standards, told a committee of MPs today that a prototype of the website, which will allow schools to advertise their teacher vacancies for free, […]

The Harris Federation, one of England’s largest academy trusts, has been asked by the government to take on the troubled Durand Academy in south London. Schools Week understands Harris has been approached about becoming the school’s sponsor from next summer, though negotiations are in their early stages. TES reported this morning that the Durand Academy […]

An influential group of MPs has publicly questioned the Department for Education’s ability to support schools with financial problems. Meg Hillier, the chair of the parliamentary public accounts committee, has written to Jonathan Slater, the DfE’s permanent secretary, demanding an update on several government cost-saving initiatives. Although an additional £1.3 billion of funding will be […]

A new Teaching Regulation Agency will be established from April 2018, following the closure of the National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL). The Department for Education has today announced that the NCTL will cease to function next year, with its teacher recruitment functions merged with the rest of the department. The regulation of the […]

The government is under pressure to release “firm plans” for compulsory personal, social, health and economics education (PSHE) in all schools. Anne Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner for England, told MPs in a parliamentary session today, that she has been “asking questions” about proposals to make PSHE statutory. Currently, there is no requirement for any schools […]

The Children’s Commissioner wants to write a letter to all schools reminding leaders that behaviour policies must respect children’s rights, after hearing an example which labelled quiet pupils as “not that bright”. Anne Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner for England, told MPs in a parliamentary committee this morning that intended to call for action from the […]