Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

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 […]

Ministers to meet with Ofsted over omission of sexism from inspection handbook

Ministers will meet with Ofsted to discuss a “cohesive response” to sexual harassment and bullying in schools after the watchdog faced criticism for leaving sexism out of its handbook for inspectors. Although the handbook includes specific references to racist and homophobic bullying, as well as discrimination on the grounds of disability, there is nothing which […]

31 New Free Schools: The Complete List

Prime minister David Cameron has just announced the approval of 31 new free schools, the last wave under his premiership. If you want the full story, go here. Otherwise, here is the full list… Alconbury Weald Church Academy, Cambridgeshire Ashlawn Free School, Warwickshire Aspire Primary Academy, Newquay Chatteris Free School, Cambridgeshire City of London Academy, Downs […]

Cameron unveils 31 new free schools on last visit as PM – but details are thin

David Cameron has unveiled the latest wave of approved free school applications, in one of his final acts as prime minister. Of the 31 new projects, which were officially unveiled by Cameron in his last official visit as prime minister at Reach Academy in Feltham this afternoon, 24 are being set up by existing schools or […]

Absence fine refunds should be refused, schools minister tells local councils

Councils should not refund parents fined for taking their children out of school, the schools minister has said, after a surge in requests following a landmark court case. Nick Gibb has written to local authorities to say that the government expects refund requests, made after a High Court ruling in favour of a father who took his […]