Skip to content
25 April 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

When setting up a multi academy trust, what appointments do you have to make?

If you are setting up a multi academy trust, what are the minimum number of executive appointments you need to make and what roles do they do? Jessica says: In answering this question, I have focused on the appointment of the board of trustees (also known as the directors) of the multi academy trust (MAT). […]

How to answer the interview question: ‘What are you reading?’

Seven teachers, heads and trust chief executives let slip the interview answers they’d like to hear I have a shockingly poor attention span in interviews. If I’m going to have to see you every day, I need to get under your skin. Asking about hobbies sounds pervy, and I don’t want anyone to start talking about […]

What are the big decisions Justine Greening must make as education secretary?

A new education secretary, Justine Greening, has been appointed. So, what now? Natalie Perera describes what awaits at the department for education. History suggests that a new Education Secretary will almost certainly want to make her mark on the Department, the sector, and the profession. Each has come with their own unique agenda for reform; […]

South Asian – or ‘Shanghai’ – mastery maths, explained

This week the government announced £41 million of funding over the next four years to support the introduction of South Asian mastery mathematics into 8000 primary schools. Dr Mark Boylan explains the differences between the Shanghai method and schools in England South Asian mastery has attracted attention from government because of the relative success of Singapore […]

Educators should allow students to feel working-class pride

Tony Sewell gets some things right, but his rhetoric on social mobility should be approached with suspicion, says Garth Stahl Last week at the Festival of Education, Tony Sewell, chief executive of Generating Genius, made some interesting assertions regarding working-class youth, social mobility and the role of education. Sewell discussed his aggressive zero-tolerance approach to […]

The education of Muslim students in turbulent times

What have you been researching? I am looking at the education of Muslim students and in particular, Muslims’ expectations from education and educational leaders in contemporary societies, and Islamic faith schools. What are the main issues? In the wake of 9/11 and George Bush’s reaction, many young people were suddenly made aware that being Muslim […]