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14 April 2026

Tag: social mobility

Fact-check: Do the arguments for new grammar schools stack up?

More than 100 Conservative MPs have pledged to campaign for a wave of new grammar schools, reigniting the decades-long debate on the issue of selection. The opening of new grammar schools, which require pupils to pass the 11+ test to gain admittance, was banned by Tony Blair’s government in 1998. But following the appointment of Theresa […]

Educators should allow students to feel working-class pride

Tony Sewell gets some things right, but his rhetoric on social mobility should be approached with suspicion, says Garth Stahl Last week at the Festival of Education, Tony Sewell, chief executive of Generating Genius, made some interesting assertions regarding working-class youth, social mobility and the role of education. Sewell discussed his aggressive zero-tolerance approach to […]

The education of Muslim students in turbulent times

What have you been researching? I am looking at the education of Muslim students and in particular, Muslims’ expectations from education and educational leaders in contemporary societies, and Islamic faith schools. What are the main issues? In the wake of 9/11 and George Bush’s reaction, many young people were suddenly made aware that being Muslim […]

How my school helped Traveller children

There are simple, practical methods for integrating Traveller children into the education system, as my school has shown, yet local and national government has yet to pick up on them Travellers are one of the most marginalised and vulnerable ethnic minorities in Britain and far too often their needs – in particular for their education […]

‘Why a campaign group was wrong to complain about my school’s racial intake’

Religious schools have been accused of racial segregation – but is the picture accurate? Headteacher Paul Halliewell says his school was unfairly targeted. In Science we teach pupils not to make an evaluation without evidence to back it up. During research, if you only choose to use the evidence that supports your original hypothesis and […]

The key to SEND success is to integrate students

I am passionate about the provision for SEND students, and the opportunity to share my enthusiasm at SSAT National Conference was one I am very glad to have taken up. I met some fantastic fellow practitioners, with whom I have already established contact for the future – it is always a privilege to share good […]

Increase pay for new teachers but extend probation to 3 years, social mobility commission demands

Teachers’ pay should be overhauled and their probation periods extended to three years, the government’s social mobility commission has said. The Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission’s state of the nation report has called for “drastic action” to tackle recruitment problems, which it said were being “exacerbated” by emerging gaps between teacher pay and that […]