Schools bill reforms could require 12,000 more academy trustees Former government schools tsar warns of ‘capacity issue’ as ministers seek to move all schools into academy trusts
Ark Schools risks losing academy over homophobia, harassment and SEND suspensions The leading trust’s school faced criticism over a ‘culture of sanctions’, unmonitored missing pupils and unrecorded bullying and prejudice
Schools bill: Ministers want veto on academy trustees New DfE documents reveal more about powers sought by ministers in schools bill
Councils commit extra cash to keep special school trust afloat The Queensmill Trust is fighting for its financial survival and to keep its flagship school after warning notice
‘Recovery premium’ rolled out for all special school and AP pupils Catch-up cash will increase for mainstream secondaries, rising to £60k on average, but rates frozen for most primaries
Council MAT trial next year – but caps on number and size The DfE will ‘test the concept’ of local authority multi-academy trusts, inviting councils to join a small trial
DfE hiring up to 8 more advisers to oversee attendance push A handful of councils alone have slashed more attendance staff than the DfE plans to recruit
Birmingham SEND caseloads hit over 500 children per worker Commissioner’s damning report shows ‘dire’ state of SEND provision, but also points the finger at government
BESA threatens legal action over ‘unlawful’ DfE plans for Oak The British Education Suppliers Association claims government breached rules on subsidies, procurement and consultation