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15 July 2026

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Opinion

Teachers shouldn’t have to be careers advisers

While teachers have an important role to play in inspiring pupils’ future careers, it’s wrongheaded to claim they should replace trained careers advisers, argues Denise Bertuchi In a column last week, Schools Week’s contributing editor Laura McInerney argued that teachers are the best careers advisers. While it’s true that many pupils find teachers a good […]

The apprenticeship levy: How to make the best of bad policy

The apprenticeship levy is badly designed and implemented even worse, but schools are stuck with it for now, says Jon Coles Although the government is keen that the apprenticeship levy is not seen as a tax, it is very clearly a payroll tax. It drives up the costs of employment and – especially in a […]

Artificial intelligence will NOT make knowledge redundant

Without knowledge there can be no meaningful analysis, argues Carl Hendrick, who isn’t that worried about the immediate future of AI I read with interest the recent comments from Professor Rose Luckin and others, that advances in artificial intelligence will render the knowledge-based curriculum redundant, as students will be able to look up facts and information […]

Extracurricular doesn’t count as ‘broad and balanced’

There have been two recent government announcements on funding for arts activities in schools. But their extracurricular nature leaves some students out in the cold, argues Anita Kerwin-Nye Alexander is 11. He has autism and is in a special unit at a mainstream school. He is an exceptionally talented musician and this year he led […]

A simple guide to the next wave of free school applications

Wave 13 of the free schools applications opened today. Mark Lehain explains how it differs from previous rounds The next wave of free school applications announced today will be quite different to the ones that have gone before – so if you are remotely interested in the policy or maybe even bidding yourself, it’s worth […]

The government must not allow segregated faith schools in through the back door

The cap on religious selection at faith schools may not have been lifted but the war isn’t over, writes Andrew Copson; the new voluntary-aided faith schools will still be harmful The government’s U-turn on removing the 50-per-cent cap on religious selection at new faith schools, is a victory for fairness and inclusion in our state education […]

Teachers are the best careers advisors

When did you first decide an academic school subject wasn’t for you? Perhaps it was the day everyone laughed at your French accent? Or when the English teacher made you read Catcher in the rye? (You have my sympathy – that boy needs to get over himself). Mine was in during a physics lesson on […]

The mental health reforms must do more to support schools

The government’s plans to help children and young people’s mental health are welcome in spirit, writes Robert Halfon, but they don’t go nearly far enough in numerous serious ways Half of all mental health conditions first occur by the age of 14, and according to the most recent available data, one in 10 children have […]

How should progress be measured in a special school?

Special schools aren’t just a watered-down version of mainstream schools, and require progress measures that provide meaningful information for students, parents and the government, argues Sabrina Hobbs As many mainstream schools are still finding their way through life beyond levels, special schools are dealing with a similar scenario of their own. Our old system of […]