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3 July 2026

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Opinion

Beware the return of the grammar school zombies

Is the grammar school policy about to get a second wind? Contributing editor Laura McInerney considers the possibility and how Labour should respond. Ugh. It appears the grammar school zombie may be alive after all. The appointment of grammar-loving Damian Hinds to the top job suggests there may be another attempt to resurrect selective schools […]

Senior leaders have the power to solve teacher workload

Teacher workload is an ever-present crisis, but Steve Mastin argues that it stems from bad senior leadership, not the government I love teaching. I get to discuss history with enthusiastic young minds, helping them to share my passion for the past. I also get to work alongside dedicated and inspiring colleagues, learning from them as […]

Here’s how government can alleviate teacher workload

Overwork is what stresses teachers out the most – and the DfE needs to take urgent, concrete steps, writes Kevin Courtney Teachers tell us time and again that workload is the main issue that drives them to despair – or in many cases out of the profession all together. The government has acknowledged the extent […]

What does Damian Hinds’ appointment as education secretary mean for schools?

The new education secretary shares some of his predecessor’s conciliatory instincts, but Tory red meat may be back on the menu, writes Jon Andrews Despite the great hype across news outlets, ministerial reshuffles barely capture the attention of anyone outside the great bubble of Westminster. This is a misconception – in education at least – […]

Is the battle for SEND inclusion won?

We’re making small steps on many fronts, explains Anita Kerwin-Nye, and may even have reached the end of the beginning in the struggle for inclusion It’s 30 years since I started work on including children with SEND, 10 since I founded the Communication Trust, three since we started Whole School SEND and 18 months since […]

School governance: 12 things you should know about 2017

There has been plenty to consider for school governors in 2017. Naureen Khalid walks us through the year’s highlights (and the lowlights!) Another year has flown by and it’s time to review 2017. As Christmas is almost upon us, I’ve looked back at twelve things which stood out for me. So, in no particular order: […]

School business leaders: 2017 year in review

Following a relative period of stability, Stephen Morales is anticipating much-needed change in 2018 From a policy perspective, 2017 could be characterised more by what hasn’t been achieved than what has. Following her appointment as secretary of state for education, Justine Greening moved to scrap a number of policies, including forced SATs resits for 11-year-olds […]

Education is a long game, so league table measures should be too

There are natural swings between year groups as talent and circumstance ebb and flow, suggests Loic Menzies, but under the current system, this skews perspectives on school success. Every year, hundreds of secondary schools’ results swing by more than 15 percentage points. Some shift by 30 percentage points. This does not necessarily mean a particular school […]

5 things to celebrate about special educational needs provision in 2017

We all know that special educational needs provision is nowhere near where we need it to be, but that’s not to say there haven’t been moments to celebrate, writes Adam Boddison It would be easy to write a review of SEND (special educational needs and/or disabilities) in 2017 by listing all of the challenges we […]