Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

Gove enters Conservative leadership race and gets Morgan’s backing

The former education secretary Michael Gove has announced he will run for the Conservative Party leadership, and has received the backing of his successor Nicky Morgan. Gove, who had been expected to run alongside Boris Johnson and serve as chancellor in his government if he won, has today announced that he will throw his own […]

Ofqual’s new chief: We can do more to prevent exam errors

Ofqual needs to do more to stop “simple errors” in how schools deliver exams — although mistakes, security breaches and malpractice will continue, says new chief regulator Sally Collier. In her first speech since she took up office eight weeks ago, Collier admitted the workings of the watchdog and the wider testing system were “much, […]

Ofsted will consider scrapping ‘outstanding’ grade, says new chief inspector

Ofsted will consider scrapping its controversial ‘outstanding’ grade, the new chief inspector has told MPs. Amanda Spielman, who has been selected by the government to succeed Sir Michael Wilshaw when his term ends at the end of the year, told MPs on the education select committee this morning that she wanted to have “discussions” about […]

Pat Glass resigns as shadow education secretary after two days

The shadow education secretary Pat Glass has resigned after just two days in the post. Glass, the MP for North West Durham, was appointed to succeed Lucy Powell on Monday following Powell’s resignation over the weekend. But after announcing yesterday that she would quit Parliament at the next general election, Glass has said today that […]

Shadow education secretary says she will stand down at next election – just 30 hours into job

The shadow education secretary Pat Glass has announced her intention to stand down from Parliament at the next election – having served less than two days in her new role. Glass, an MP appointed by Jeremy Corbyn to succeed Lucy Powell yesterday morning, has written to the Labour Party to give notice she will not be a candidate “whenever […]

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 […]