Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

Jeremy Corbyn’s new shadow education secretary Lucy Powell committed to ‘local oversight’ for schools

The new shadow education secretary Lucy Powell has outlined a commitment to “local oversight” and “raising aspirations for all children.” Responding to her appointment by new Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Ms Powell told Schools Week she was “delighted” to be given the job, in an area about which she is “passionate”. Ms Powell, the […]

Fabian Society proposes ‘national constitution’ for schools

A national constitution for schools has been proposed by the Fabian Society after research by the Labour-supporting think tank showed the need for “strong collaboration” between institutions. The group’s report Stakeholder Schools: Why collaboration is key to the next phase of school reform calls for a document to set out the “rights, roles and responsibilities of children, […]

Free school Dawes Lane Academy closes after a year due to recruitment and site problems

A free school in Yorkshire which struggled with recruitment and finding a permanent home has closed a year after opening. The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that Dawes Lane Academy, which provided alternative provision for pupils attending schools in the School Partnership Trust Academies (SPTA) chain, has closed. According to the Yorkshire Post, the […]

Infant free school meals rumoured to be scrapped as heads describe ongoing problems

Ongoing problems with the introduction of free school meals for all infants have been described by headteachers, while rumours have surfaced that the policy could be scrapped to save money. One headteacher told journalists at a briefing organised by the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) that lunchtime clubs had been cancelled at her large north […]

New expert panel will advise on teacher development standards

A new expert group tasked with advising government on the first ever set of teacher professional development standards is launching a call for evidence. The 11-person expert panel, chaired by Teacher Development Trust chief executive David Weston (pictured), has been formed at the invitation of the Department for Education and will officially launch its call […]

Lib Dem Conference: Round-up of education policy offers

If this weekend’s Liberal Democrat spring conference taught us anything, it’s that education rises up the agenda when the coalition gloves are off. This partnership between the Lib Dems and the Conservatives is finished in all but name. They have to continue to govern, but no more legislation will pass once the dark cloud of […]

Character education awards: the winners

The 21 winners of the 2015 character awards were unveiled last week as Schools Week went to press, with each of the recognised schools and charities receiving a £15,000 prize. As the countdown continues to March 16, when one will receive an additional £20,000, Freddie Whittaker looks at some of the winning schools. At King’s […]

PAC Round-Up: What happened in today’s scrutiny of Durand Academy and related businesses

Sir Greg Martin, head of Durand Academy, today faced questions from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over the work of his school, its academy trusts and connected companies. The hearing followed a National Audit Office (NAO) report released last year, that raised concerns about “related-party transactions” made between the trusts and associated private companies. Here’s […]

Children in care educational outcomes: Public Accounts Committee round-up

Educational outcomes for children in care have been historically low. A Naional Audit Office report last year looked into the matter and found an alarming dearth of data and joined up services. This week, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee interrogated the matter further. Reporter Freddie Whittaker live-tweeted the details. Click here to view […]