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24 April 2026

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Opinion

How can we better prepare students for university?

The narrow A-level curriculum is leaving more and more new undergraduates unable to cope with the rigours of university, says Mary Curnock Cook Earlier this autumn, over 330,000 young people made the leap from school or college to higher education. Many of them will have been ill-prepared for this transition, which involves a fundamental change […]

Don’t jump to conclusions on teacher peer observation

A recent study on the effects of peer observation found it made no difference, but there may be a reason for that, argues one of the researchers In a recent Schools Week article it was reported that a recent trial in which teachers observed their peers did not raise pupil attainment. I was part of […]

WISE 2017 – Learning to embrace technology in the classroom

Former headteacher and author Tom Sherrington meets former principal and author Eric Sheninger at the World Innovation Summit for Education 2017, in Doha, Qatar, to discuss the power of technology to enhance education. Meeting Eric last week was a breath of fresh air.  He is more demanding when it comes to the impact that technology […]

£600 maths premium ≠ more maths A-levels

The government’s policy to pay schools to get more pupils studying maths is misguided, argues Luke Sibieta – why not raise sixth-form funding instead? In Wednesday’s Budget, the Chancellor announced various measures aimed at expanding the teaching of maths in schools and colleges. One of the most eye-catching announcements was a commitment to pay “a […]

The budget won’t help us – so what now?

With no new funding for schools or young people, the chancellor’s 2017 autumn budget clearly doesn’t have the future in mind, says Paul Whiteman In the three months since I became NAHT’s General Secretary, I’ve visited many schools and been inspired by the professionalism and hope that I see wherever I go. The absolute dedication […]

What will the 2017 autumn budget have in store for schools?

Recent estimates on the health of public finances have been better than expected indeed July this year witnessed the first government surplus since 2002. Nevertheless, over the medium term the uncertainty of Brexit looms large. A significant downgrading in the OBR’s forecast could lead to a further tightening of the country’s finances on top of […]

Six steps to create good volunteering programmes

In preparation for #Iwillweek, Professor Tristram Hooley discusses the evidence on young people’s volunteering Young people are motivated by doing something to help others, to improve their community or to provide support for those less fortunate than themselves. Because of this lots of schools make opportunities available to young people to engage in volunteering and […]

Performance-related pay will solve teacher retention crisis

To keep talented teachers from quitting, you have to pay them according to how well they do, says Lee Miller In almost all walks of life, employees are rewarded for excellent work. It motivates them to stay with their employer and continue to perform well, which in theory, leads to even higher pay in future. […]

Education policy must be grounded in evidence

With a more solid understanding of research, we will be better prepared to challenge poorly-evidenced policy proposals, says Alison Peacock Last week, I was invited to join a police chief constable and presidents of a range of royal medical colleges to sign an evidence declaration. This declaration commits us to promoting evidence-informed pedagogy and leadership. […]