John Dickens | Schools Week

Coronavirus: Schools to stay open despite calls for social distancing

Schools look set to stay open for the time being despite the government upping its coronavirus fightback, including urging social distancing. However, the government’s chief scientific adviser has admitted it “may be necessary to think about closures”. Prime minster Boris Johnson has announced new measures today urging people to work from home if possible, stop […]

Statement: Festival of Education 2020 cancelled

Due to the uncertainty around the coronavirus outbreak, this year’s Festival of Education will be cancelled. A full statement from the event’s organisers – which includes Schools Week’s publisher LSECT – and important details on refunds can be read below. The Festival, at Wellington College, was first held in June 2010. This will be first […]

New specialist NPQ to focus on pupil wellbeing

A new specialist qualification for “often overlooked” experienced teachers will focus on behaviour management and pupil wellbeing, Gavin Williamson said today. Speaking at the ASCL conference today, the education secretary announced details of two new national professional qualifications. One will help “train and develop teachers who are subject leads or responsible for improving teaching practice […]

CEO pay 2019: Fewer than 1 in 5 reduce salaries despite government warning

We analysed over 250 academy trust accounts for Schools Week’s annual CEO pay league table investigation – here’s what we found … Fewer than one in five academy trusts that were warned over high levels of pay subsequently reduced salaries for their top bosses. The annual Schools Week analysis of chief executive pay also found […]

Ofsted amends report of Harris school at centre of framework row after admitting inspection error

Ofsted has amended the report of a school run by one of its most high-profile critics after inspectors wrongly applied new transitional measures. Harris Academy St John’s Wood, in north London, was rated ‘good’ by the schools watchdog in January – including ‘good’ judgments for ‘quality of education’ and ‘leadership and management’. In the wake […]

Profile: Professor James Tooley

James Tooley’s vision of no-frills private schools is now a reality in England. How afraid should the state sector be? John Dickens finds out “If I were a highly qualified teacher working in a publicly funded school… I would be afraid of him. Very afraid.” So concluded a 2013 interview with Professor James Tooley. That […]

SEN pupils ‘not well’ served by in-year admissions

One in ten councils believe pupils with special educational needs are being let down when they try to move mid-year, with some schools refusing to admit children unless extra funding is agreed. An investigation by Schools Week has also found town halls are shaking up in-year admissions in response to growing problems with the system, with one […]

‘No-frills’ private school founder eyes seven more north east sites

The man behind a “no frills” private school is looking for sites to open another seven in the north-east, warning he’s “absolutely happy” for his chain to make state schools unviable. In an exclusive interview with Schools Week Professor James Tooley said he plans to open the schools “in the next few years”. Billed as the country’s […]

Education unions reject proposed representation reforms

Government plans to allow employees to bring lawyers or other non-union representatives into disciplinary meetings will see “simple disputes escalate”, according to education unions. The Sunday Telegraph reported that Downing Street is examining proposals to bolster the rights of non-union members in the workplace to break the “stranglehold” of trade unions. Currently the law only […]