Jess Staufenberg | Schools Week

Introducing… Tulip Siddiq

The shadow children’s minister hails from a political dynasty – and met Mandela and Mother Teresa when she was a child. Tulip Siddiq tells Jess Staufenberg of her impatience to get into power Tulip Siddiq is practically engulfed by her sofa. At 4ft 11in, the shadow children’s minister is small in stature but perhaps it’s […]

Another university technical college faces uncertain future despite emergency government funding

The future of another university technical college hangs in the balance, despite it receiving emergency funding. East London UTC was given its second financial notice to improve last month – after a £375,000 government bailout last year. It also chalked up a £1.8 million deficit in 2020. The college’s 2019-20 accounts show the Department for […]

Give education workers up to £700 ‘tax-free coronavirus compensation payment’, says report

The government should pay compensation of up to £700 to key workers in education to recognise the “personal risks” they’ve had to take due to the coronavirus pandemic, a new report urges. Analysis of Office for National Statistics data by the Centre for Progressive Policy found that the death rate among education and childcare staff […]

Edenred won third free school meals voucher contract without open tender

The Department for Education failed to run an open tender for the most recent free school meals voucher contract, rolling it over to supplier Edenred for the third time. Ministers were criticised for not running an open tender for the first two contracts handed to Edenred last year which rose from £78 million to £425 […]

International QTS proposal gives SCITTs chance to expand overseas

Government proposals for an international QTS qualification represent a “real opportunity” for school-based providers to expand overseas, teacher training experts have said. A consultation published on Saturday set out proposals for an international qualified teacher status – or ‘iQTS’ qualification, which could be delivered by English school-centred initial teacher training providers (SCITT) and universities to […]

Introducing…Clive Lawrence

Into headship before he was 30, Clive Lawrence has taken his special school to ‘world class’ status and an ‘outstanding’ grade. How did the cheeky boy from the estate get himself – and his school – to where they are? On his 28th birthday, Clive Lawrence was starting his first ever headteacher role. It was […]

Exam prices hike drops off but still above inflation, Ofqual price guide shows

The hike in exam prices has dropped off since Ofqual began to publish qualification costs, but the rate is still above inflation. The cost of GCSEs and A-levels rose by 3.3 per cent last year, Ofqual’s second analysis of exams prices has revealed. That’s above the rate of inflation, which was 1.8 per cent in […]

Alternative provision in crisis: deficits, closed sites and restructures

A leading alternative provision setting is being forced to close a specialist site due to a creaking high-needs funding system exacerbated by Covid. Others facing six-figure deficits are considering restructures. The London East Alternative Provision (LEAP) will have to close the Tommy Flowers Vocational Centre in Whitechapel at the end of the year despite delivering […]

‘Missed opportunity’ to save cash on £452m free school meals national voucher scheme

The government has been accused of being “surprisingly unconcerned” about whether Edenred, its £425 million free school meals voucher supplier, profited “at taxpayers’ expense”, a committee of MPs has said. A Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report found the Department for Education “missed opportunities” to save taxpayer cash by failing to renegotiate the terms of its […]