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12 April 2026

Tag: education committee

‘Policy not politics’: New Ofqual boss attempts to play down independence fears

Dr Jo Saxton has said she would “absolutely speak out” as Ofqual boss if she felt any government decisions were going to “undermine the interests” of students after being quizzed over her independence by MPs today. Education secretary Gavin Williamson named Saxton, his policy adviser and a former academy trust boss, as his preferred candidate […]

Consider if promoting ‘white privilege’ breaches equality laws, MPs tell schools

Schools should consider whether promoting “politically controversial terminology” such as “white privilege” is in line with their duties under the Equality Act, the Parliamentary education select committee has said. The cross-party committee has today published its report on left-behind white working class pupils, after taking evidence from sector experts and ministers since April 2020. In […]

Tell us how grade inflation can be ‘washed out’, MPs urge Williamson

MPs have demanded to know how 2020 grade inflation will eventually be “washed out” of the exams system. In a letter to education secretary Gavin Williamson, education committee chair Robert Halfon said he was “keen to know your current thinking” about how grade inflation can be ended “once you deem it is appropriate to do […]

Williamson told education committee to keep exam meeting details secret

A Parliamentary committee was asked to keep details of meetings about this summer’s exams fiasco secret in return for “summaries” of key documents, it has emerged. In September, the education select committee requested all correspondence and minutes of meetings held between the Department for Education and Ofqual about the summer exams. It also asked for […]

Nick Gibb grilled by education committee over exams: 7 things we learned

The schools minister Nick Gibb faced questions about exams in 2020 and 2021 when he appeared in front of the Parliamentary education committee this week. The hearing followed the announcement last week of a package of measures that are meant to make exams in 2021 fairer. Here’s what we learned.   1. Lack of transparency […]

Dame Glenys Stacey on the 2021 exams: 8 things we learnt

Ofqual’s interim chief regulator Dame Glenys Stacey was quizzed by MPs this morning on the plans for exams next year. It comes as the government announced extra measures last week for students, including more generous grades and advance notice of topics. We take a look at some of the key points from the education select committee… […]

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 […]

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 […]