John Dickens | Schools Week

Ofsted annual report: School ratings rise, but progress stalls for SEN pupils

The number of primary and secondary schools rated as good or outstanding by Ofsted has risen again this year – although nearly two thirds of special educational (SEN) needs pupils in some regions are not “progressing well”. Ofsted’s 2015-16 annual report, published this morning, found that nine in ten primary schools are rated good or outstanding, up […]

Gibb urged to make arts EBacc commitment after £300m music hub pledge

Schools minister Nick Gibb has been urged to prove his commitment to the arts by introducing a “more creative EBacc” after announcing £300 million funding to secure the future of music education hubs. Gibb said the continued investment for the hubs, running since 2012, will help thousands of youngsters from all backgrounds to enjoy life-changing […]

DfE insists it can spot bogus grammar survey responses

The government has insisted safeguards are in place to deal with bogus replies to its grammar school consultation after a campaigner successfully submitted a response from “Ebenezer Scrooge”. In a blog published by the Local Schools Network, schools campaigner Janet Downs said she used fake names to complete the government’s survey on new grammars. Schools […]

Academy sponsored by ‘top-performing’ Bright Tribe ‘placed in special measures’

An academy run by a trust given extra government funding after being lauded by ministers has been put in special measures, with school staff issuing a vote of no confidence in the academy chain. More than 50 staff members at Whitehaven Academy, in Cumbria, have written an open letter today criticising the school’s sponsor Bright […]

Plymouth Cast trust criticised over leadership and safeguarding failings

A trust that qualified to be a “system leader” under government plans to rank academy chains has been criticised for failing to provide improvement support after an inspection by Ofsted. Ten of the 36 academies run by Plymouth CAST trust were inspected as part of a focused inspection in October after concerns over the trust’s […]

Try before you buy: the new way for multi-academy trusts to takeover schools

Academy trusts are taking struggling schools on loan for a year as part of a “try before you buy” scheme. Multi-academy trusts (MATs) are being signed up on short-term deals to provide leadership support for schools enduring turbulent times, allowing both parties to scope each other out before a possible takeover. Speaking at the National […]

“Unusual” management plan for Parkfield Free School

A troubled free school has an “unusual” interim management structure in place as a takeover looms, although both the school and the government are refusing to take responsibility for setting it up. Three education experts have been called in to join an interim academy board (IAB) at Parkfield school, in Bournemouth, to help to steer […]

Northern Powerhouse schools strategy: Halt standalone academies, and 11 other key findings

The government has today published its Northern Powerhouse Schools Strategy, led by Sir Nick Weller, chief executive of Dixons Academies. Schools Week has rounded up the 12 key findings: 1. Measure the teacher churn rate The government should find extra cash to capture fluctuations in vacancy rates – including attempting to measure the degree […]

Charge parents £500 to plug school funding gap, says leading head

State schools should consider emulating independent schools and “work for profit” by charging parents a “premium”, a leading headteacher has said. Sir Andrew Carter (pictured above), head of the South Farnham school Educational Trust, and chair of the independent review of initial teacher training, said the state sector might need to follow independent schools in […]