Sophie Scott | Schools Week

Teacher training changes will pit providers against each other

Teacher training providers will be set against each other under new recruitment rules outlined by the National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL). Announced by the NCTL this morning, providers will be able to recruit as many trainees as they wish, until a national limit is met. At this point, all organisations will be stopped […]

Conservative MP demands Government brings back funding for EAL learners

A Conservative MP has broken rank to demand the Government makes a U-turn on its decision to scrap dedicated funding for pupils with English as an additional language (EAL). Stewart Jackson told school reform minister Nick Gibb at a House of Commons debate today that the flagship Tory pupil premium policy “fails to take into […]

Sir Chris Woodhead, ex-chief Ofsted inspector, dies aged 68

Former chief inspector of schools Sir Chris Woodhead, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2006, has died. The 68-year-old was top of the schools watchdog for six years until his resignation in 2000. He was knighted for services to education in 2011. He was known for making controversial remarks, including once claiming there […]

Toby Young: Author and co-founder of several free schools

1. What did you like about school? I went to more than half-a-dozen between the ages of 4 and 19. I liked my friends and the good teachers. 2. What did you dislike? The institutional smell. The bullies and the bad teachers, often quite similar types. I didn’t care for sport and found observing the […]

‘Significant number’ of overseas teachers at risk of being kicked out, warns NAHT

A new immigration rule could force non-EU teachers out of the UK, the head of the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) has warned. From next April, workers recruited from outside of the European Union who entered the UK since 2011 and earn less than £35,000 a year will be ordered to leave after six years […]

‘Inconsistency’ in Ofsted inspection outcomes in strict Orthodox Jewish schools, say humanists

Ofsted has come under fire from the British Humanist Association (BHA) for what it says is “a concerning level of inconsistency” in the inspection outcomes in some strict Orthodox Jewish faith schools. According to the BHA, analysis conducted by ex-Charedi Jews has revealed inconsistencies in the inspection outcomes of some Charedi Jewish schools. The […]

London Oratory: Two months to revise admissions arrangements on religious selection

Flagship Catholic academy The London Oratory School has two months to revise its admission arrangements following a decision by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA). But the school has said it believes the OSA is “just not fit for purpose” and that the school governors “once again reserve the right to refer this determination […]

Ofsted needs to recognise the role of governors in its new framework

School leaders who help other institutions “turn around” are to be recognised as “exceptional” with a letter from Ofsted, it was announced on Monday when the inspectorate’s Common Inspection Framework was launched. Headteachers have already discussed the ins and outs of this change, which will also see a copy of the letter going to the […]

Neil Carmichael appointed new chair of education select committee

Conservative MP for Stroud Neil Carmichael has told Schools Week of his excitement at being appointed as the new chair of the House of Commons education select committee. Mr Carmichael, who takes over from Graham Stuart, said: “I am very excited by the opportunity. First of all I am delighted that obviously so many people […]