Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

Sixth form funding ‘tight’, admits Nick Gibb

In a departure from the government’s usual firm dismissals on a lack of funding, Nick Gibb has admitted that sixth forms face “tight” resources. The schools minister was questioned in parliament this week over the funding given to schools for 16 to 19-year-olds compared with that for younger pupils and those in higher education. According […]

Ministers confirm sugar tax will be ringfenced for school sports

Ministers have confirmed that funding from a tax on sugary soft drinks will continue to be ring-fenced for school sports until 2020. The government has plans to double the value of the primary PE and sports premium to £320 million from September by using some of the funds from the new tax. The levy, which […]

Human rights charity warns headteachers over pupil nationality data collection

The human rights charity Liberty will write to every headteacher in England to demand better information for parents over the collection of pupil nationality data. Schools will next week attempt for the second time to collect information on their pupils’ nationality and country of birth, first introduced in September last year. The move prompted unease […]

Flooded schools need millions to relocate

Schools repeatedly damaged by flooding are mounting multi-million pound bids to move to new sites. The Department for Education will decide in the coming weeks whether or not to provide capital funding to at least two schools that want to move following ongoing problems with water damage. Schools Week understands that one is considering a […]

Building Futures Enterprise Academy Trust issued financial notice to improve

A Cumbrian academy trust with just two schools has been warned over its finances and had its spending powers restricted – becoming the latest in a growing list of primary-only trusts to run into difficulties. The Building Futures Enterprise Academy Trust, sponsor of Tebay Primary and Yanwath Primary schools in Penrith, has been issued with […]

What is going on with compulsory sex education and PSHE?

The consensus on the need for compulsory sex education has never been stronger, but it’s understandable that campaigners are impatient, says Freddie Whittaker As pressure mounts on the government to make personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) and sex education compulsory in all schools, speculation is building over the form such a move could […]

Mental health first aid ‘inadequate’ in face of referral delays

The government will train a member of staff in every secondary school to identify mental health problems in pupils, but schools won’t get additional funding to treat or refer children. Theresa May has announced plans to deliver mental health “first aid” training to a staff member in every secondary school in England by 2020, but […]

East of England has highest proportion of coasting primary schools

The east of England has the highest proportion of coasting primary schools, while London and the north east have the lowest, new government figures have revealed today. Updated key stage 2 data released this morning shows that 83 of the 1,505 primary schools (6 per cent) in the eastern region are defined as ‘coasting’, making […]

Trust rapped over finances now faces losing school after Ofsted visit

An academy trust that was rapped by the government over financial mismanagement relating to its former private company sponsor faces having the funding scrapped for one of its schools after an “inadequate” Ofsted inspection. The Education Fellowship Trust has been issued with a termination warning notice relating to Wrenn School in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, by schools commissioner Martin Post. […]