Opinion | Schools Week

Opinion

Here’s how to make the pupil premium work

We shouldn’t judge disadvantaged pupils purely by the academic achievements of students in the best schools, but if used…

Nicky Phillips

News, Opinion

The 24 recommendations in the Regional Schools Commissioner report – and what they really mean

The Education Select Committee has today released a report about the role of the Regional Schools Commissioners (RSCs). Over…

Nick Linford

Opinion

Academy contracts are not fit for purpose – so how do we change them?

Academies have been given different freedoms depending on when they signed a funding agreement or what they managed to negotiate with…

Nicky Phillips

Opinion

The truth behind the Ramadan exams saga

Over the past two weeks many stories have been written about exam dates changing to accommodate Ramadan. The stories…

Nick Linford

Opinion

Teacher references: A classic moral hazard for schools

Schools and staff waste hours on references for departing teachers that at best can be described as ambiguous. Do…

Nicky Phillips

Opinion

What pupils are REALLY allowed to eat at school

Schools must follow food standards and provide free meals to all infants. But dig into those standards and you’ll…

Nicky Phillips

Opinion

The feminism A-level debacle shows how biased we are about ‘best thinkers’

Women have been thinking, campaigning and contributing to politics throughout history, just as men have. It is therefore self-evident…

Nicky Phillips

Opinion

The 5 things we look for in schools wanting to join our academy trust

Educationists often are asked to behave like used car salesmen to promote their wares, but always take a proper…

Nicky Phillips

Opinion

So you want to join an academy trust? Make sure you ask these 7 questions first

Many schools will be thinking about joining a trust or federation. This is probably a sensible response to rising…

Nicky Phillips

Must Read

Opinion: Politics

Continuity at the top is crucial to Labour’s opportunity mission

Talk of a reshuffle may have the education secretary’s detractors excited, but it would be bad news for a…

JL Dutaut

23mins

Simon Kidwell

23mins

The Curriculum Conversation

The last thing history needs is more revolution

History teachers already have the tools to drive improvement. We mustn’t jeopardise that in the quest to modernise

JL Dutaut

Michael Fordham

Opinion: Workforce

We’re backing teachers because we have a job to do together

Today’s investment is a clear sign of the government’s commitment to partnership in delivering high and rising standards for…

JL Dutaut

Bridget Phillipson

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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