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26 April 2026

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Opinion

‘If I were education secretary…’

Differences between children’s performance at school are not just due to differences in parenting and home life or differences in teachers and school life — to an even greater extent, they are due to DNA differences between children. These differences account for more than half of the differences in performance from reception through to GCSE. […]

If we can’t take politics out of education, can we at least minimise it?

“Get politics out of education” is a heartfelt cry heard in many forms. But can it work? A general election makes the removal of politics from education policy all the more attractive. It is easy to sympathise with the idea given the toxic mix that results when we combine the two. The ideal political education […]

Why do secondary pupils pick easier reading books than primary pupils?

James Bell, Director of Professional Services at Renaissance Learning, discusses the challenges of the secondary transfer and the impact this can have on student progression, as well as what can be done to combat any negative effects. Just as moving house or job can be stressful and require a period of settling in, the move […]

If we want to teach ‘British values’ then we need to do this….

How do we know what British values even are? And how should we teach them? Expert Matt Hood explores the answer. Before you read on, open a browser and google ‘British values.’ After a couple of links to the department for education you will see link after link of different school websites where you’ll find […]

With GCSE resits vanishing, are functional skills qualifications a better alternative?

When learners are no longer offered the luxury of resits in English and maths, are functional skills qualifications a better alternative for some? Charlotte Bosworth explains her view. A recent report by the Education and Training Foundation: Making maths and English work for all, described how the traditional learning approach leading to GCSEs can, for […]

How schools can be the happiest places to work

While the headlines can sometimes be alarmist, Henry Stewart explains how schools can be one of the happiest places to work. Could schools be great places to work in, where teachers feel trusted and valued? That was the question posed at a recent conference on ‘happy productive schoolsl. A survey carried out in advance of […]

The complicated ‘truths’ of the SAT resit debate

The Conservatives will force year 7 pupils to resit their SAT exams if they don’t achieve a level 4 while at primary school. Is it a good idea? The answer isn’t as black and white as we may initially believe.   Things that are true – Children who don’t get a level 4 in English […]

What would be the benefits (and problems) of a teacher union merger?

Steve Williams, reader in employment relations at the University of Portsmouth, gives his thoughts on what a teacher union merger might mean for members – plus the potential benefits and pitfalls. News that the National Union of Teachers (NUT) has reportedly made progress on ‘joint working’ with the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), once […]

Should lessons in snoozing be part of the school curriculum?

Lack of sleep among teenagers could be causing serious problems for their health and academic progression. But are schools part of their insomnia problems? Sleep problems among teenagers commonly arise due to physical, mental and social changes taking place in their life. The pressures of homework, exams, relationships with friends, social activities, part-time jobs and […]