John Dickens | Schools Week

Coronavirus: Ofqual tells schools to ensure ‘contingency plans’ for exams up-to-date

Exams regulator Ofqual is in talks with exam boards over whether there are any risks to the summer exam series amid the coronavirus outbreak – with schools told to “ensure their contigency plans are up to date”. The first exams aren’t due to be sat until early May, and the regulator stressed schools should continue […]

Investigation: Gagging orders demanded in controversial rebrokers

Academy trusts looking to take over scandal-hit schools have been asked to sign “gagging orders”, an investigation by Schools Week can reveal. This newspaper has seen a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) signed by a trust involved in taking over a school. The NDA insisted none of the information gained during due diligence could be made public […]

Seldon: AI can replace Ofsted inspectors within a decade

Artificial intelligence could make Ofsted inspectors redundant within the next decade, according to the founder of an institute looking into how to use technology ethically in schools. Former headteacher Sir Anthony Seldon, now vice-chancellor the University of Buckingham, outlined his predictions for the sector as the Institute for Ethical AI in Education published its first […]

DfE reveals new behaviour taskforce

The government has unveiled its new taskforce to help schools tackle unruly behaviour. The six advisers (see list below) will join the government’s behaviour tsar Tom Bennett in supporting 20 lead schools with ‘exemplary behaviour’ to help others tackle classroom disruption. Education secretary Gavin Williamson said the £10 million programme, announced in August, would “give […]

Zero-tolerance schools should be ‘unreservedly celebrated’, says MP

A teacher-turned-MP said schools with zero-tolerance behaviour policies should be “unreservedly celebrated” for ensuring staff aren’t “treated as punch bags”. In a Westminster Hall debate on exclusions yesterday, Jonathan Gullis, the Conservative MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, dismissed concerns schools were on a “exclusions spree”. If we do not have zero-tolerance policies or exclusions, where is […]

Academy trust closes schools over coronavirus because it has ‘pupils of Italian origin’

An academy trust is closing all three of its academies over the coronavirus scare “because its schools have some students of Italian origin”. In a letter to parents, the Khalsa Academies Trust said it has closed the schools for a “deep clean” across the next two days. Parents were told this was based on advice […]

DfE claims trial shows baseline IS accurate, and confirms September roll-out

The government has confirmed its new reception baseline assessment will be rolled out as planned this September, despite a study finding half of teachers thought it had a negative impact on children. The announcement follows what the Department for Education called “successful” trials across the country, and means that key stage 1 SATs, currently taken […]

Longest-serving RSC Vicky Beer to retire

The government is advertising for three new regional schools commissioners – including to replace the current longest-serving regional commissioner. Two of the three roles – the north and north west London and south central (NWLSC) regions – are currently filled on an interim basis. However the third, Lancashire and West Yorkshire, is currently led by […]

Review of national leaders of education: The 6 recommendations

The national leaders of education advisory group has published its review on reforming the system. The group wants the “full cadre” of newly-designated NLEs in place by the start of 2021-22. The Department for Education is yet to confirm which recommendations it will take forward. But here’s Schools Week round-up of the proposals. 1. […]