Schools Week Reporter | Schools Week

Decrease in schools getting top grades, and 6 other findings from Ofsted’s inspections data

Ofsted judged a lower proportion of schools to be ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ in the first year of its new inspection framework. The watchdog has published management information on inspections conducted in the 2019-20 academic year, which takes into account reports published between April and the end of August. However, the data is based on a […]

Pressure grows for uni admissions change as 2 in 3 students back post-qualification applications

Ministers are under growing pressure to introduce post-qualification applications for university after research found most students believe applying after receiving their results would be fairer. A study by the Sutton Trust into reforming university admissions found that 66 per cent of just over 500 students surveyed in September felt a post-qualification approach would be fairer […]

NEU urges government to consider rota system for secondaries in lockdown areas

A teachers’ union is urging the government to consider the potential of secondary schools moving to a rota system in ‘high’ and ‘very high’ risk areas. The National Education Union says that as of October 16, its analysis shows the infection rate in secondary schools is “now 17 times higher than it was on September […]

DfE lifts all provider T Level restrictions from 2024

The Department for Education has announced today any provider delivering 16 to 19 study programmes will be able to run T Levels from 2024. In an update to its ‘T Levels: next steps for providers’ document, the Education and Skills Funding Agency said: “By 2024 all T Levels will have been delivered for at least […]

Thousands of pounds raised for Derby school devastated in arson attack

A school has launched a heart-felt plea for donations to replace thousands of pounds worth of new books that were destroyed in a devastating arson attack. Ravensdale Infant School was one of two schools in Derby deliberately set alight within 48 hours earlier this month, prompting fresh calls for sprinklers to be installed in new […]

Oak academy chief urges teachers to go ‘super Blue Peter’ to stop pupils turning to TikTok

The Oak National Academy has revealed the struggle to keep pupils learning at home engaged and not watching “the cat dancing on TikTok” – urging teachers to ramp up their enthusiasm during online lessons. Matt Hood, principal of the online lesson platform set up in response to the coronavirus pandemic, also said teachers using videos […]

Renewed calls for mandatory sprinklers after schools destroyed

Fire chiefs are again calling for sprinklers to be made mandatory for new and refurbished schools after two devastating fires over the weekend. Two schools in Derbyshire were left severely damaged from the blazes, with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service saying neither had sprinklers fitted. The pupils are now being educated remotely while the council […]

No free laptops for schools with fewer than 15 self-isolating pupils

A school that is limiting attendance by operating a rota model or that has fewer than 15 children self-isolating with covid-19 symptoms cannot access free laptops or devices from the government. The Department for Education has published updated guidance today which explains how a school can access technology to support disadvantaged children who are “otherwise […]

Outstanding schools set for Ofsted inspections next year – but may face 6-year wait

Outstanding schools are set to be inspected again when Ofsted inspections resume next year – but it will now take up to six years to get through them all. The government has published its response to the consultation on removing the inspection exemption for the top-rated schools. It was introduced by former education secretary Michael […]