In Short | Schools Week

Who is Frank Green?

Frank Green is the Government’s schools commissioner. He leads the eight regional school commissioners, who are tasked with scrutinising academy performance and encourage collaboration. Mr Green took up the post in February 2014 and was previously chief executive of the Leigh Academies Trust for five years. In June 2013 he was awarded a CBE for his services […]

Middlesbrough Council making “big strides” in supporting schools after being judged ineffective by Ofsted

The education watchdog has told a failing local authority it is making “significant improvement” in supporting schools. Ofsted found Middlesbrough Council’s school support service was ineffective in January 2014. Schools Week also revealed last week Middlesbrough was one of four Labour councils which retained its majority in local elections, despite being judged as failing by […]

Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt announces he will not be standing for Labour leadership

Tristram Hunt has today ruled himself out of the running to be the next Labour leader. The shadow education secretary was speaking at an event in London this morning. During his speech he also called for reform of leadership rules to allow the party to reconsider the position of the leader ahead of elections. He also […]

Primary headteacher charged with sex offences against pupils

A former headteacher has been charged with sexual offences against two pupils at the primary school where he worked. Christopher Field, 56, of Green Lane, Chieveley, Berkshire, last Thursday was charged by Thames Valley Police with three counts of assault of a girl under 13 by touching and one count of inciting a girl under […]

Study may help schools understand why pupils with autism can get distressed while learning

New research could help schools understand why pupils with autism can get distressed while learning. The UCL Institute of Education (IOE) study asked 33 children with autism and 33 without, aged between six and 13-years-old, to judge the average direction of a set of dots on a computer screen. It found children with autism were […]

Plans revealed for new international qualifications

Two education companies have today announced plans to jointly deliver international GCSE and A-level qualifications for Middle East schools teaching a British curriculum. Unlike other international GCEs, however, the qualification will not be available to UK schools. Publisher Oxford University Press and qualification provider AQA will jointly offer newly-created Oxford International AQA Examinations. When asked […]

School headteacher writes to parents over “deep and damaging” future budget cuts

A headteacher has written to parents urging them to challenge politicians about their plans to combat “deep and damaging” cuts, warning he faces laying off staff and cutting the curriculum. John Kerr, head of Enfield Grammar School, in north London, raised concerns about looming hikes in national insurance, pension contributions and teacher pay. He said […]

Pearson chairman and two board members to stand down

Pearson has announced today that its chairman Glen Moreno intends to stand down in the next twelve months, with another two board members to leave the education and media company. Mr Moreno will step away from the company after more than nine years as chairman. A committee of the board, headed by senior independent director […]

Fore! Golf lessons added to primary school’s curriculum

Golf lessons are to be added to the curriculum for the next four years at one Cumbrian primary school. Windermere Golf Club chairman Cliff Heath has been coaching year 3 and 4 Grasmere Primary School pupils since November and headteacher Johanna Goode has confirmed the sport will continue for the next four years. Mr Heath […]

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