Sophie Scott | Schools Week

Teaching profession needs to look beyond “heroic myths” to develop next generation of leaders

It’s time to cut through the “heroic myths” of great leadership, a trade union chief has warned on the eve of this year’s Inspiring Leadership Conference (ILC). More than 1,500 education leaders will attend this year’s event, in Birmingham, organised by the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT), the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) […]

“Passports” to help young people’s character education take flight

Schoolchildren should be given “passports” documenting their extra-curricular volunteering work to help boost character education. Headteachers and college principals from 50 schools across the UK gathered at an event run by the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues and Step Up To Serve this afternoon to come up with ideas as to how to get […]

Dame Stella Rimington – former Director General of MI5

1. What did you like about school? I particularly liked the variety of things we did, like school plays and going on outings. Also that it provided me with an opportunity to find out what I enjoyed, what I was good at and that sort of thing. Plus, ultimately, the friendliness of everybody. 2. What […]

How do exam writers put together questions for tests?

After an Edexcel GCSE maths question about Hannah’s sweets went viral on Twitter yesterday, exam writer Paula Goddard gives an insight into the way question papers are put together. The probability of orange sweeties and calculating the size of a lump of cheese – clearly the examination question writer was feeling a bit peckish when […]

Ofqual launches further consultation on new GCSE English language spoken exams

Ofqual has launched a consultation on how the spoken language part of the new GCSE in English language will be assessed and graded. The exams regulator body is asking for feedback on how pupils will take the exams – including the option for teachers to carry out the assessment and provide video evidence of the […]

New software launched for teachers to spy on pupils at risk of radicalisation

New software allowing teachers to spy on pupils browsing extremist websites or searching for terrorism-related terms while at school could “hinder the debate challenging radicalisation”. The first keyword glossary for teachers, launched yesterday, aims to prevent the radicalisation of pupils online. The software alerts teachers when any terms from a “radicalisation library” are used. But Zafar Ali, […]

Highly able primary pupils fail to reach GCSE potential – with some regions much worse than others

Highly able primary pupils are “missing” out on high GCSE grades with some areas serving talented pupils much worse than others, a new report published today has revealed. Analysis carried out by Education Datalab director Becky Allen, on behalf of the Sutton Trust, looked at 7000 children who achieved in the top 10 per cent […]

“I would hire maths and science graduates over those with computing degrees” says head of school software company

The managing director of the company that provides management information systems to schools has said he would rather hire science and maths graduates than those with degrees in computing. Phil Neal of Capita SIMS – a computer system used by more than 80 per cent of schools – developed the programme, which allows teachers to […]

Ex-children’s minister Tim Loughton announces candidacy for select committee chair

Former children’s minister Tim Loughton has announced he is standing for the role of chair of the education select committee. Schools Week reported last month that the committee’s previous Chair, Graham Stuart, will not be standing for the role. Mr Loughton, a fellow Conservative and MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, served as children’s minister […]