Skip to content
5 June 2026

Become a member today for unlimited access to Schools Week

Enjoy expert journalism on schools policy with fewer ads and exclusive benefits
subscribe

Opinion

The year in primary: A challenging one – but I’ve had worse

The pandemic has brought out the best and the worst in people. In the spirit of Christmas, Kate Owbridge presents the best Stressful. Unexpected. Extraordinary. And not even the worst year I have ever had as a school leader. Why not? In my worst year as a head, the thing that nearly destroyed me was […]

The year in politics: It couldn’t get any worse. Until it did

U-turns, broken promises, gaslighting, deceit and good old-fashioned cock-ups  ̶  our government’s response to education in the pandemic has been jaw-dropping, says Laura McInerney In last year’s political review, I complained that truth was on the floor weeping and hoped that things might be better in 2020. Oh how the gods laugh. Standing amid the […]

This extra INSET is just another late and empty gesture

Headteachers wouldn’t be forgiven this lack of foresight yet schools ministers continue to issue policy on the hoof, writes Robin Bevan With only eight days of term remaining, the Department for Education issued an email with ‘End of Term – Advice for Schools’. At about the same time yesterday, Nick Gibb announced what is supposed […]

New cap on exit payments could lead to legal disputes

Regulations are about to be introduced that represent a substantial change to schools’ employment practices, write Jenny Arrowsmith and Joanne Moseley The Restriction of Public Sector Exit Payment Regulations 2020 are now in force. These impose a £95,000 cap on the amount public sector bodies can pay to an employee when their employment comes to an end. […]

Our diverse curriculum is a source of pride for all our students

African and Caribbean history and culture are woven across all subjects at one Birmingham primary. Nigel Oram and Philip Hynan explain why In October 1963, Oxford history professor, Hugh Trevor-Roper delivered several lectures – broadcast on BBC radio – that concluded with these words: “Perhaps in the future there will be some African history to […]

All signs point to even greater pressure on schools post-Covid

A raft of new data from multiple agencies points to a rising tide of families in need, with no other place to turn but their schools, writes Whitney Crenna-Jennings When Covid-19 shuttered schools and workplaces earlier this year, our thoughts quickly jumped to the children likely to be most affected: those from disadvantaged homes, already […]

Is confusion in the classroom really such a bad thing?

Research shows confusion can lead to better understanding – but it must be introduced with care, writes Harry Fletcher-Wood We rarely set out to confuse our students – but perhaps we should. Recent research suggests that carefully inducing a little confusion can encourage students to think harder about conflicting ideas, helping them learn. For example, […]

The digital divide is only one of the challenges facing edtech

Our new report shows that despite a transformative year edtech companies face important challenges to meet teachers’ needs, writes Loic Menzies Between 2005 and 2008 the average number of interactive whiteboards in English primary schools tripled. In secondary schools, the number more than doubled. I was a teacher in London at the time and a […]

Now the government must show it can stick to its guns

This week’s announcement gives welcome certainty but the true test is whether the department can work out how to deliver on it, writes Anna McShane The firm reiteration today by the Department for Education that “exams are the best and fairest way for young people to show their potential” is a step change for a […]