• Nick Gibb at education committee: 7 things we learned

    Schools minister Nick Gibb has suggested some grade inflation will be allowed again next year to cater for lockdown learning losses, but revealed he’s more worried about making exams fair for pupils in worst-hit areas who are more likely to have missed school since September. Education select committee MPs grilled Gibb for over two hours…

    14.18 Oct. 20th, 2020 | News

  • MPs to look at 'more active' inspection role in new home education inquiry

    MPs have launched an inquiry into home learning which will include looking at the role inspections should play in the future regulation of home educating. The education select committee has announced today it will be investigating how home-educated children are being supported in their learning and also looking at the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has…

    10.26 Sep. 30th, 2020 | News

  • Grading system risks ‘inaccuracy and bias’ against disadvantaged pupils, MPs warn

    Pupils are at risk of missing out on the results they deserve because of “inaccuracy and bias” in this year’s new grading system, MPs have warned. The education select committee has called on Ofqual reveal details of how it will standardise grades immediately, so schools know how the regulator has ensured “fairness”. It follows a…

    22.00 Jul. 10th, 2020 | News

  • 'There's still challenges' - Williamson grilled over FSM voucher scheme

    The government still faces “some challenges” over its national free school meals voucher system, the education secretary has admitted, despite the scheme now entering its fourth week of operation. Gavin Williamson appeared in front of the Parliamentary education committee today. Here’s what we learned.   1. ‘Big challenges’ of FSM voucher scheme MPs grilled Williamson…

    13.12 Apr. 29th, 2020 | News

  • Coronavirus: Routine inspections not likely before summer, says Spielman

    Ofsted is unlikely to resume routine inspections of schools this academic year, Amanda Spielman has told MPs. The chief inspector appeared in front of the Parliamentary education committee by video link this morning, to answer questions about coronavirus and other pressing issues facing the inspectorate. Here’s what we learned.   1. Routine inspections unlikely before…

    11.30 Apr. 27th, 2020 | News

  • Coronavirus: Committee of MPs to probe DfE's response to disease

    The response of the Department for Education to the coronavirus outbreak and the impact of the disease on schools will be investigated by an influential committee of MPs. The parliamentary education committee has launched an inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on education and children’s services. It follows criticism of the government’s support for schools…

    17.20 Mar. 25th, 2020 | News

  • Investigation: SEND funding crisis pits parents and schools against councils

    Council bosses say pressure on their SEND budgets leaves them at risk of not being able to deliver core services – which would result in the government imposing emergency spending controls. Dave Hill, executive director of children, families and learning at Surrey County Council, this week told the education select committee that councils have been…

    7.00 Nov. 30th, 2018 | News

  • Minister: It's 'not impossible' for schools to meet apprentice hiring targets

    It is “not impossible” for schools to meet apprentice recruitment targets, but they may need extra help, the skills minister said today. Anne Milton insisted to MPs that the public sector apprenticeship target – which requires public bodies to hire 2.3 per cent of their workforce as apprentices every year – is achievable for schools,…

    13.03 May. 15th, 2018 | News

  • Careers and Enterprise Company will face questions from MPs

    The parliamentary education committee will question the leaders of the government’s Careers Enterprise Company next week. Claudia Harris, the organisation’s chief executive, will appear alongside chair Christine Hodgson on Wednesday May 16. They will answer questions about the company’s role in the delivery of the government’s careers strategy and their wider work coordinating careers and enterprise support and guidance.…

    16.41 May. 10th, 2018 | News

  • MPs demand action to improve education in the north

    An influential group of MPs has written to the education secretary to demand immediate improvement to education in the north of England. The parliamentary education committee wrote to Damian Hinds after a hearing last week with former chancellor George Osborne and other representatives of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership highlighted a “stark educational attainment gap between the…

    11.01 May. 8th, 2018 | News

  • George Osborne to be questioned about pupil disadvantage in the north

    Former chancellor George Osborne will be questioned by the parliamentary education committee about the state of education and support for disadvantaged pupils in the north of England. MPs will grill Osborne, now editor of the London Evening Standard, in his capacity as chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) on May 2. He will be…

    10.40 Apr. 27th, 2018 | News