Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

It’s official: Amanda Spielman approved as Ofsted chief inspector

Amanda Spielman has been approved by the Privy Council as Ofsted’s next chief inspector, the government has confirmed. The Department for Education told Schools Week this afternoon that the Council, which is made up of current and former ministers, party leaders and foreign dignitaries and advises the Queen, has signed off on Spielman’s appointment. In a statement, […]

Invest in early years teachers to ensure children are school-ready, charities tell MPs

The government should invest in early years education to ensure children are “school-ready” by the age of five, charity bosses have told MPs as ministers prepare to launch a new life chances strategy. Representatives of organisations including Save the Children, the Family and Childcare Trust and Action for Children appeared before a joint hearing of […]

Department for Education reshuffle: Meet the ministers

You would be forgiven for thinking the new ministerial line-up at the Department for Education looks familiar. Justine Greening, who replaced Nicky Morgan as education secretary last week, will proceed with most of her predecessor’s team intact, but confirmation of who is doing what is likely to come later this week. Here’s what we know… Nick Gibb […]

Kevin Courtney elected general secretary of National Union of Teachers

Kevin Courtney has been elected as the 12th general secretary of the National Union of Teachers with almost 70 per cent of the vote. The former deputy general secretary of the union, who has been its acting leader since Christine Blower stood down in May and presided over the recent strike of teachers across England, […]

Justine Greening ‘cheerful and upbeat’ as she tells staff of education vision

The new education secretary Justine Greening has revealed she wants the beefed-up Department for Education (DfE) to be “the best” in Westminster during the first meeting with her new colleagues today. According to insiders, Greening was “cheerful and upbeat” when she met staff at the DfE’s Sanctuary Buildings shortly after lunch to set out her […]

Department for Education takes on skills and universities in expanded remit

The Department for Education will take on responsibility for higher education and skills in a massive expansion of its remit, Downing Street has confirmed. The move means Justine Greening, the new education secretary, will take over a much larger department than the one run by her predecessor Nicky Morgan, when the two additional policy areas are […]

Nicky Morgan sacked as education secretary in Theresa May cabinet reshuffle

Nicky Morgan has been sacked from the Department for Education after two years as its secretary of state. She tweeted this morning: “Disappointed not to be continuing as Education Secretary and Minister for Women & Equalities – two wonderful roles it’s been a privilege to hold.” It is now unclear what Morgan’s next challenge will be, but for […]

Morgan slaps down commissioner who told council not to talk to academies

Nicky Morgan has overruled one of her regional schools commissioners who told a council boss not to meet with academy heads over standards in their schools. The education secretary told gathered members of the County Councils Network this morning that they should continue to talk to academies if it’s “something you feel is appropriate”, after […]

‘Disaster’ SATs results will have ‘serious consequences’ for schools, warns Labour

The government will use the results of controversial new key stage 2 SATs tests to identify underperforming schools, Labour has warned. Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said there would be “serious consequences” for thousands of schools after this year’s primary tests, in a parliamentary debate yesterday, branding them an “unmitigated disaster” and a “nightmare” for children. But […]