Author: Freddie Whittaker

A commitment by the Conservative party to build 100 new free schools a year if it wins the general election only guarantees that a further 17 will open on top of those already planned, Schools Week analysis has revealed. The party’s manifesto includes a pledge to build at least 100 free schools in every year […]

Schools that host campaign visits from politicians risk breaking the law or charity rules if they don’t act with political balance. Candidates from all the major parties have made dozens of visits to schools since the general election campaign began. But schools have to adhere to the strict rules governing political campaigning that include providing […]

The Conservative Party has admitted that a key manifesto commitment to provide breakfasts for every primary school pupil in England could cost far more than the £60 million initially promised. In a second embarrassing U-turn for the party following the debacle over its social care plans, the Conservatives now say the costs of providing breakfasts “will vary depending […]

The Conservative Party’s manifesto has been launched by the prime minister Theresa May in Halifax, West Yorkshire today. The 84-page document sets out the party’s vision for the next parliament, including what it will do for education. Here is our analysis of all the schools policies in the manifesto… More good school places 1. Build 100 […]

The Conservative Party has confirmed plans to lift the ban on new grammar schools in its manifesto, a move which will guarantee the policy will go ahead if they win the election. The document also confirms several other proposals from the ‘Schools That Work for Everyone’ consultation last year, including a condition for universities which […]

New teachers will have their student loan repayments forgiven for the whole time they remain in the profession, the Conservative Party has announced. In its election manifesto, launched in Halifax this morning, the party says it will offer forgiveness on repayments for new teachers in order to help new teachers “remain in the profession”, should […]

The government will only expect 75 per cent of pupils to be entered for the EBacc GCSE subjects by 2022, the Conservative Party’s manifesto has revealed. A consultation on the accountability measure had set out plans to require schools to enter at least 90 per cent of pupils for the five subjects by 2020. However, the […]