Gavin Williamson | Schools Week

DfE behaviour consultation seeks views on mobile phone bans

Schools will be asked for information about their behaviour strategies, their use of so-called “managed moves”, and how they deal with mobile phones as part of a six-week consultation launching today. This is an operational decision for schools, not something that can be micromanaged from Westminster The call for evidence was pledged by education secretary […]

DfE contradicts its own minister’s claims on tutoring scheme scale

The Department for Education has contradicted its own education secretary’s claim that six million pupils will benefit from the rollout of tutoring, raising the question of whether Gavin Williamson misled parliament. Williamson told parliament on Monday he had “outlined a clear plan to roll out tutoring to six million children up and down the country” […]

Williamson dodges calls to publish winter Covid schools plan

Gavin Williamson has confirmed he has a plan for responding to a potential winter wave of Covid or a flu outbreak, but dodged calls to publish it in advance. I’m desperately hoping never to have to touch it The education secretary also insisted the government’s understanding of how to run schools safely while providing “high-quality” […]

DfE considering ‘accelerated inspections’ to help Ofsted tackle Covid backlog

Gavin Williamson has revealed the government is looking to accelerate the timetable for Ofsted inspections in order to address the backlog of schools due a visit. The education secretary was questioned by the Parliamentary education committee this morning on the possibility of speeding up the process for schools left waiting for inspections, which were suspended […]

Williamson’s policy adviser set to be new Ofqual boss

A former academy trust boss and policy adviser to Gavin Williamson has been put forward to be the new chief regulator of Ofqual. The government has named Dr Jo Saxton as its preferred candidate for the role, following approval by the prime minister. Simon Lebus has been in post in the top job on an […]

DfE officials plan schools white paper to deliver Williamson’s ‘vision’ for schools

Gavin Williamson has pledged to set out a “broader vision” for the school system later this year, with officials understood to be planning a white paper. That’s one of those key planks, finishing those reforms that were started back in 2010 Asked about his plans for schools, Williamson said the system would be “moving over […]

Speed read: ‘Academy trust handbook’ 2021 published as DfE rebrands key guide

The DfE has rebranded the academies financial handbook as the academy trust handbook, with ministers dubbing the latest edition a “one stop shop” for academy leaders. The update has also seen financial notices to improve renamed as “notices to improve”, to reflect that the warnings issued to academies sometimes cover “broader governance issues”. Baroness Berridge, […]

DfE to unveil vision for schools, and 4 other things we learned from Gavin Williamson at the Festival of Education

Gavin Williamson has pledged to set out a “broader vision” for the school system later this year. The education secretary this afternoon addressed the Festival of Education, which is taking place virtually over the next two weeks. He spoke about his wider plans for schools, his regrets over last year’s exams and plans for primary […]

Williamson announces autumn 2021 phonics screening check

An autumn phonics screening check will take place again this year, the education secretary has announced. Gavin Williamson told the Festival of Education this afternoon that as was the case in 2020, the check will be held in the autumn “so that any pupils who need support with phonics are spotted early”. The check was […]