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11 June 2026

Author: Freddie Whittaker

Pupil absence fines soar, but smaller proportion lead to prosecution

The number of fines issued to parents for unauthorised absences of their children at school has increased almost five-fold in the last five years, but a smaller proportion are being prosecuted for failing to pay. Figures released today by the Department for Education show that 151,125 fines were issued in 2014/15, compared to 53,370 in […]

Amanda Spielman rejected by cross-party MPs for Ofsted chief inspector role

The House of Commons education committee has rejected the government’s proposal that Amanda Spielman become the next chief inspector of Ofsted. But Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, has signalled her belief that her candidate is still “the best person” for the job. Spielman, chair of Ofqual, was named on June 10 as the government’s preferred […]

Teachers’ pay scales rise by 1% but ‘significantly higher’ increase needed

Teachers’ pay scales will shift by just 1 per cent from September, but government advisers have warned of the need for a “significantly higher” rise before 2020. Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, has announced that she intends to accept a recommendation from the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) that the lower and upper ends of […]

Pay scales for teachers and leaders in England and Wales from September 2016

Nicky Morgan has said she intends to accept the recommendations of the School Teachers’ Review Body on teachers’ pay. They have recommended a 1 per cent uplift at the lowest and highest ends of the scales, despite admitting there is “a case” for a higher rise. Here are the new pay ranges, effective from September 2016…   […]

Teachers’ strike disrupts a third of schools but only 12 per cent closed

About a third of schools in England were fully or partially closed as a result of a walkout of teachers today, the government has revealed. The Department for Education has confirmed that 11.9 per cent of schools were closed and 21.4 per cent were only partially open, based on data for about 94 per cent of schools […]

EBacc: MPs prepare to debate petition on exclusion of arts subjects

MPs will debate a decision to exclude expressive arts subjects from the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) this afternoon, after more than 100,000 people signed a petition calling for a change in the rules. The debate on the EBacc will take place in Parliament’s Westminster Hall from 4.30pm, and campaigners from groups supportive of the petition have already […]

Prince Henry’s Grammar and Manchester Creative Studio warned about finances

The government has published letters outlining financial concerns at academies in west Yorkshire and Manchester. The Department for Education has this afternoon published financial notices to improve issued by the Education Funding Agency to the Otley Prince Henry’s Academy Trust and Manchester Creative Studio on May 23, and June 6, respectively. The notices serve as official warnings about the […]

8 things we know about the latest shadow education secretary

As revealed exclusively by Schools Week, Angela Rayner is Labour’s third shadow education secretary this week. Here’s what we know about her… She was born in Stockport in 1980. At 36, she is the youngest person to hold the role of shadow education secretary since it was created (as shadow secretary of state for education and science) […]