John Dickens | Schools Week

Schools advised to delay 11-plus tests until November

Grammar school entry tests should be pushed back until as late as November, the government has said, with parents given an additional preference in admission applications. The Department for Education guidance, which is only advisory, says that no child is “likely to perform to their utmost ability in a test at the beginning of September” […]

The cost of lockdown: attainment gap widens by up to 52% for primary pupils

The attainment gap between primary pupils has widened by up 52 per cent during school closures, the first data published on lockdown learning losses has suggested. A new study by the Data Evaluation and Learning for Viral Epidemics (DELVE) group, which advises government scientists, has revealed for the first time the impact of lockdown on […]

SBLs are the quiet Covid crisis heroes – they deserve a pay rise, too

Responding to a national crisis like Covid-19 takes a team – a team made up of not just teaching professionals, but experts in school business management too. Never has health and safety, estate management, and relationships with families, been so front and centre in the need to support young people access their education. Throughout this […]

The 8 policies to ensure schools can stay open

A major new report today has called on the government to introduce new tests next year so the loss of learning because of lockdown can be measured. Put together by the Data Evaluation and Learning for Viral Epidemics (DELVE), which advises government scientists, the report has warned of the potential impact of closures on pupils […]

DfE planning ‘large-scale’ value-for-money review of pupils’ EHC plans

The government is planning a “large-scale” value-for-money study of the provision provided to children with special educational needs and disabilities. The Department for Education has today finally responded to the education select committee’s damning SEND inquiry, rejecting accusations that government reforms had “set councils up to fail”. But in its six months overdue response, the DfE […]

Two more schools delay T-level launch plans

Two more providers due to teach the first T-levels in just two months’ time have delayed delivery for at least a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. It means the number of colleges, schools and other providers in England in wave one of the rollout of the new post-16 technical qualifications has now fallen from […]

Fraud costs balloon, and 7 more academy sector accounts findings

The Department for Education has published the annual accounts for spending in the academy sector. It reveals that the financial health of the sector is improving, the march to academisation is slowing and that the cost of fraud has ballooned. Here’s your trusty Schools Week round-up of everything you need to know. 1. Nearly […]

Teach First graduate and Conservative Teachers founder to be new schools policy adviser

A Teach First graduate who founded the Conservative Teachers group is set to become Nick Gibb’s new schools adviser. Schools Week understands that Will Bickford Smith will take up the role of schools policy adviser with Rory Gribbell leaving to become head of education at the No 10 policy unit. Like Gribbell, Bickford Smith is […]

Ofsted director: ‘Little more we could do’ to improve home learning

An Ofsted director has said there was “little more we could do” to ensure schools were providing home learning during coronavirus closures amid claims vulnerable pupils had been let down. Speaking at the education select committee today, Yvette Stanley, national director for social care, was asked about claims that millions of pupils have barely had […]