Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

Speed-read: What does the 2016 census data tell us about our schools?

School census data from January 2016 has been released by the government today. Here are the main points… 1. A smaller proportion of pupils are claiming free school meals In January 2016, the proportion of pupils claiming free school meals hit 14.3 per cent, the lowest since the collection of pupil level information began. […]

More resignations leave Labour’s education team less than half full

Labour’s shadow education team has lost more than half of its members after another flurry of resignations linked to the party’s leadership crisis. The ability of the opposition to effectively challenge government education policies has been called into question after its team was reduced from seven to three members in the space of less than 48 hours. […]

ATL teacher survey reveals support staff often cover vacancies

To coincide with the opening of its annual conference today, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers has published the findings of a survey of more than 800 members. Here are some of the most interesting results. Teachers are unsure about their future in the profession. Workload and a work/life balance are the top reasons teachers think […]

Lucy Powell demands publication of government grammar school advice

Shadow education secretary Lucy Powell has demanded the publication of advice received by Nicky Morgan ahead of her decision to approve plans for a grammar school in Kent. Following the announcement that an application by the Weald of Kent grammar school to expand onto a new site seven miles away from its current base, Ms […]

Labour will ‘fiercely contest’ any move to revive grammar schools, says Powell

Any move to revive selective schools will be “fiercely contested” by Labour, Lucy Powell has said. The new shadow education secretary has told The Guardian that the Conservatives will “drag England’s schools into the past” by reviving grammar schools, “demoralising teachers and cutting resources”. It comes after Swindon Academy revealed plans to test pupils for […]

Fines for 6th forms which fail to teach English and maths to pupils who failed GCSEs halved

School sixth forms which failed to enrol learners without GCSE English and maths passes last year will not face as much of a financial penalty as expected after the government softened its policy. The Education Funding Agency (EFA) has confirmed it is halving the amount it will withhold from post-16 institutions and changing the rules […]

MPs launch inquiry into Holocaust education in schools

The education select committee has launched an inquiry into Holocaust education. A spokesperson for the committee, now chaired by Conservative MP Neil Carmichael (pictured), has announced the inquiry will examine the quality of teaching about the Holocaust in schools and the impact of teaching the subject on young people. The inquiry will also examine the “absence […]

New shadow education frontbench team unveiled

Labour has unveiled its full shadow education frontbench team, including some familiar faces. Here’s the low-down on them all. Lucy Powell, shadow education secretary Powell’s appointment as shadow education secretary was announced on Sunday. The MP for Manchester Central will lead Labour’s newfound charge to bring schools back under local control. Previously a […]

Seven things we learned from Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw at education select committee

Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw faced his first grilling today from the new education select committee. Here are some of the highlights of what he said… 1. Ofsted inspectors aren’t perfect, but critics aren’t doing their homework Sir Michael said that a lot of the criticism of Ofsted comes from people working at, or […]