Pippa Allen-Kinross | Schools Week

Damian Hinds gives first speech as education secretary

The new education secretary Damian Hinds spoke of the need for schools to focus on core subjects like maths, English and science in his first speech since starting the job almost two weeks ago. Addressing the Education World Forum in London, Hinds said he wanted pupils to have an “international perspective” and “very wide horizons”, […]

£10 million pledge for outdoor learning not enough to make a difference, warn critics

A government promise to give schools £10 million to help children get “close to nature” has been given a “cautious welcome” amid criticisms that it isn’t enough money to make a difference in the face of cuts. The ’25-year environment plan’ announced last week includes pledges to help primary schools “create nature-friendly grounds” and support […]

MPs urged to back holiday hunger bill

The headteachers’ union NAHT wants MPs to back a draft law that would force councils to provide meals and activities for pupils in school holidays. A private members bill proposed by Labour MP Frank Field will get its second reading in the House of Commons today. If passed, the School Holidays (Meals and Activities) Bill […]

Investigation: Apprenticeship company told schools how to exploit tax loopholes

A schools apprenticeship and graduate recruitment agency stands accused of advising schools how to become “better off’ by exploiting tax incentive rules, following a joint investigation by Schools Week and FE Week. Qualified Schools proudly states on its website that schools can make “significant in-year budget savings” if they enrol existing staff under the age […]

Suffolk schools to lose millions as council plans free transport cut

Opposition is mounting against plans to cancel free transport from thousands of children, amid claims it will cost some schools millions of pounds. Pupils in Suffolk currently receive free transport to any school if they live in its catchment area, even if it is not their nearest. But the county council is consulting on plans […]

Primary schools are being asked to trial lessons in identifying ‘fake news’

The battle against fake news is about to make its way into classrooms, as primary schools are sought for a pilot scheme to teach children how to critically analyse online information. The News Wise programme wants to see “news literacy” included in the school curriculum, beginning with pilots to teach children in years five and […]

Council demands £1m from MAT that abandoned a failing school

A local authority is demanding the £1 million the government gave a MAT to take over failing schools in the north-east after it abandoned one and left it in a similar amount of debt. Bright Tribe had been lined up to take over Haydon Bridge High School since it was put in special measures in […]

Ofqual to consult on reducing cheating by teacher-examiners

Ofqual will consult on how to reduce the risk of cheating where teachers write exam papers, including monitoring social media and pupil work in the run-up to a test. The exams watchdog announced in September that it would review the risks and benefits of teachers contributing exam questions while also teaching the qualification, after a […]

NEU and UK Feminista put pressure on government over sexual harassment in schools

The majority of teachers do not feel equipped to deal with sexual harassment in schools, and more than half are unsure whether their school has any policies in place to address it, a survey has revealed. A poll of more than 1,600 teachers by the National Education Union (NEU) and UK Feminista – a prominent […]