Sophie Scott | Schools Week

New study finds state school pupils do better at university

A new study published today has found state school pupils are more likely to do better at university than their independent school counterparts. Research by Cambridge Assessment found state school students were more likely to get at least an upper second class degree than students from independent schools with similar A-level results. The findings are […]

Ten key findings from new research into how well schools are using their pupil premium cash

The Department for Education has today published a hefty 146-page research report into the attainment of disadvantaged pupils. The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) was asked to investigate the difference between some schools in the performance of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds – those eligible for pupil premium. Here’s what they found: 1. Schools […]

Independent schools struggle with recruitment too – and other lessons from the Future of the Independent School Sector conference

This morning more than 100 people from independent, and state, schools gathered to discuss the future of the independent school sector. The event, hosted by Westminster Education Forum, was designed to debate the issues the sector was facing now, and over the coming years. Subjects discussed included the contribution of independent schools to the economy […]

Government to scrap GCSE and A-level ICT qualifications

GCSE and A-level information communication technology (ICT) will be scrapped as part of the government’s qualifications reforms, it has been revealed. Ministers have decided to cull the qualification after a rise in pupils studying the reformed computer science GCSE and A-levels. It is part of the government’s GCSE reforms for “more academically challenging and knowledge […]

More pupils are requesting extra time in exams – and 4 other things we learned from Ofqual’s new data

As exams get tougher will we see more pupils requesting extra time? New data from Ofqual suggests that could be the case. Exams regulator Ofqual this morning released data regarding access arrangements for the summer 2015 exam series. Access arrangements are provisions made for candidates to ensure they are not unfairly disadvantaged in an […]

“Figures blunder” over degree success of state school pupils

An influential body has been criticised for a figures “blunder” in a report that claimed state school pupils go on to get better degrees than those in private schools – when data shows the opposite is actually true. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) released a report last month that claimed 82 per […]

What do we know about the 5 academy chains set for £5m windfall to improve northern schools?

Five academy sponsors will be handed grants totalling nearly £5m to “drive up standards” in schools across the north of England, education secretary Nicky Morgan will announce tomorrow. Ms Morgan said the five “top performing” academy sponsors will be tasked with “improving performance for pupils in some of the most challenging and disadvantaged areas of the […]

London schools at risk of losing academic success, charity warns

Waning recruitment figures and local authority oversight are putting the gains made in London schools at risk, an education charity has today warned. CfBT Education Trust launched a report analysing the educational success of five cities across the world – London, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Ho Chi Minh City and Dubai. It found there […]