Nicky Phillips | Schools Week

Becky Francis, Gary Futcher and Sarah Clarke

Professor Becky Francis, a leading education academic and parliamentary adviser, will lead the Institute of Education (IoE) from July. She starts her new job as director of the leading research organisation, which is part of University College London, on July 1 after almost four years as professor of education and social justice and director of […]

Wannabe wizards see school transformed into Hogwarts

Hogwarts’ Great Hall relocated to Sutton Community Academy for a spellbound Harry Potter book night. Part of an Academy Transformation Trust Further Education (ATT FE) event, local primary school pupils from years 3 to 5 and their families gathered for the evening of “free family fun” and science lessons in the form of various Harry […]

Careers campaign aims to put pupils on path to success

A new campaign that puts industry professionals into schools to deliver careers advice has been launched. Career Footsteps, created by the Edge Foundation, aims to show pupils that university isn’t the only route to a good career. Volunteer professionals with vocational experience will visit a local school and share their experience of their chosen career. […]

Does anyone know how many teachers we need?

There is a crisis in recruitment, not helped by low pay, the tangled and defragmented employment process and the Department of Education massaging the figures. And there’s no sign that this shortage will improve Teacher vacancies have rocketed, with more and more teachers employed without a degree in their subject and more and more leaving […]

Ofsted prank calls ‘done for a laugh’ says YouTube star

A prankster has called more than 150 schools across the country impersonating an Ofsted inspector and telling staff they have lost their jobs. Heads who have fallen prey to the actions say it is distressing and time-wasting, but the man behind the calls says it is part of his comedy act. “Uncle Rafool”, a 21-year-old, […]

The seven deadly sins of executive headship

Taking on the role requires a new set of skills. It’s easy to lose the personal touch you had before, but to move on you need to abandon what you previously held on to in order to grow and develop. Toby and Russell look at the perks and pitfalls of the role and how to […]

Morgan says ‘rate our success by PISA’ – but is it a swizz?

A potential shake-up of the PISA rankings caused by a shift to computerised tests could undermine the government’s assertion that its exam reform success should be judged on the UK’s position in the tables. The influential Programme for International Student Assessment tests show a global snapshot of how 15-year-olds are performing in maths, science and […]

Primary writing assessment date change causing ‘havoc’ with moderation

Late changes to the date for submitting teacher assessments of primary pupils’ writing is playing havoc with moderation planning, local authorities say. Council officers, who arrange moderation visits to schools, told Schools Week they were still unclear on the process for this year. Schools minister Nick Gibb confirmed the U-turn over the date of submission […]

Gibb ‘unapologetic’ about primary reforms

Nick Gibb has promised not to publish late teacher assessment materials in the future but has said he is unapologetic about primary assessment reforms, as teachers call on the government to make sure they are fully informed of any further changes before September. The move follows a last-minute U-turn from the schools minister on the […]