Opinion | Schools Week

Opinion

Ministers have passed the buck to universities – here are the consequences

After days of growing pressure, it was inevitable government and the beleaguered education secretary Gavin Williamson eventually u-turned and…

John Dickens

AARON PORTER

Opinion

The U-turn may push grade anger towards schools – but at least we can defend our results

The A-level results last week followed a precedent set by the Scottish Advanced Highers and revealed there is just…

John Dickens

JON CHALONER

Opinion

Suspensions among pupils back up during second year of pandemic but exclusions still falling

The inelegant fix of awarding CAGs puts year 12s at the sharp end of this crisis

After days of uncertainty, we’ve learnt the government’s pathway out of their exam fiasco. In debates about appeals, admissions…

John Dickens

JANE CAHILL

Opinion

Automatic reviews of results lowered by more than one grade would rectify worst of the injustice

As the fiasco surrounding A-level results continues, Paul Whiteman says the increasingly political Punch and Judy show has served…

John Dickens

PAUL WHITEMAN

Opinion

A level results: Oxbridge applicants face multiple challenges

Coupled with the impacts of COVID-19 itself, this year’s exam results mean Oxbridge entry is harder than ever. Paarul…

JL Dutaut

PAARUL SHAH

Opinion

A level results: A fiasco destined to be repeated?

For all the apologies, Mary Bousted says there is little sign government is willing or able to learn the…

JL Dutaut

MARY BOUSTED

Opinion

This A level results mess could have been avoided

Only transparency about how calculated grades were arrived at can begin to fix the entirely avoidable unfairness of today’s…

JL Dutaut

DAVID HOLTHAM

Opinion

A level results: Predictable problems leave students and Ofqual under pressure

Failure to deal with predictable problems early on has only created more pressure for students, schools and Ofqual, writes…

JL Dutaut

NATALIE PERERA

Opinion

Appeals are key to ensuring no student is disadvantaged by statistical moderation

This year’s A level results are of equal value to results gained in any other year but we must learn…

JL Dutaut

SARAH HANNAFIN

Must Read

Opinion: Curriculum review

Financial literacy matters – but maths isn’t the place for it

New research uncovers what young people want from financial education, why attempts to deliver it fail, and why maths…

JL Dutaut

Dr Helen Drury

Opinion: Curriculum

File image of girls and boys playing football at school

Euro 2025: How schools can keep the national pride growing

Celebrating the Lionesses’ historic win is a huge boost for girls’ sense of belonging in sport – but it…

JL Dutaut

Bilkis Miah

Opinion: Edtech

AI bias poses serious risks for learners with SEND

The promise of personalised learning masks very real risks that demand careful attention from educators and policymakers

JL Dutaut

Michael Finlay

ITT

Degree apprenticeships are key to increasing and diversifying recruitment

Work to deliver the new qualification should continue at pace to meet recruitment challenges by making teaching more accessible,…

JL Dutaut

Melanie Renowden

ITT

ITT: Which is the odd one out?

The deeply flawed ITT reforms are a threat to sustainable teacher supply for purely ideological purposes, writes David Spendlove

JL Dutaut

David Spendlove

EXAMS

Exams

How sitting an exam re-affirmed my respect for our students

I still believe exams to be the best way of testing academic knowledge and understanding but they’re no bagatelle,…

JL Dutaut

James Handscombe

Exams

The number of penalties handed out to students caught cheating has risen for a second year

The stereotype that could be feeding exam anxiety

The ‘snowflake’ stereotype is damaging and unjustified, but a more pervasive idea may be perpetuating exam anxiety, says Stephen…

JL Dutaut

Stephen Caldwell

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