Reeves hints public sector workers could get above-inflation pay rises

Amid calls for a 5.5% pay rise for NHS and teachers, as reported here by The Guardian (and other news media), Rachel Reeves has not ruled out above-inflation pay rises as noted in this Guardian article (also reported on The Times and BBC). The Telegraph notes that a 5.5% pay deal would cost Treasury an … Continue reading Reeves hints public sector workers could get above-inflation pay rises

Government launches Curriculum and Assessment Review

A broader, richer, cutting-edge curriculum that drives high and rising schools standards and sets all young people up for life and work will be central to the government’s vision for education, as it launches its wide-ranging Curriculum and Assessment Review on 19 July, headed up by leading education expert, Professor Becky Francis CBE. You can … Continue reading Government launches Curriculum and Assessment Review

Bridget Phillipson webinar for school workers

In a recent webinar, the new Secretary of State for Education spoke about her commitment to work positively with the education sector, and was refreshingly open in admitming that she might make mistakes. This Schools Week article summarises her main talking points: Ofsted needs view of ‘wider range of services’ ‘High standards and curriculum breadth’ … Continue reading Bridget Phillipson webinar for school workers

NGA School and Trust Annual Governance Survey 2024

The NGA has just published its latest (14th) School and Trust Annual Governance Survey. Highlight findings include: Funding Financial sustainability under threat Budget pressures intensify Falling pupil numbers Curriculum breadth at risk SEND funding crisis deepens Pupil, family and community needs SEND support demands surge Attendance is high priority Expanding school services Safeguarding issues growing … Continue reading NGA School and Trust Annual Governance Survey 2024

What does a Labour government mean for edcuation?

Labour's plan for schools can be summarised as follows: Deliver high and rising standards in early education With childcare that delivers life chances for children as well as work choices for parents Boosting early language skills and spotting children who need support sooner Support all our children to achieve and thrive With free breakfast clubs … Continue reading What does a Labour government mean for edcuation?

New anti-bullying guidance for Church of England schools published

The Church of England has published new anti-bullying guidance for use in its 4,700 Church schools. This is currently out for consultationn - closing date: 31 July 2024. The document, entitled ‘Guidance for preventing and tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying’ is the first of a new suite of resources and will come into effect … Continue reading New anti-bullying guidance for Church of England schools published

All about Oracy

Oracy as a term was coined by Andrew Wilkinson in 1965 to describe ‘general ability in the oral skills’. Schools Week are running a series of articvles about this, and you can find the first two artcles as noted below: What is oracy? The four defining traits of classroom talk (Schools Week) Why you should … Continue reading All about Oracy

Stark decline in girls studying computing could harm the UK’s ambition to be a tech ‘superpower’

A new report by King’s College London, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, highlights how fewer girls in England are studying computing at secondary school since the curriculum became narrower in scope and the authors call on the incoming government to take action to address the problem. The researchers note that the number of girls in … Continue reading Stark decline in girls studying computing could harm the UK’s ambition to be a tech ‘superpower’

Issues for schools requiring RAAC buildings works

An atrticle from Schools Week highlights the continuing issues for schools in respect of keeping their buildings up to scratch. It highighhts the fact that some schools have had requests turned down by Ministers, and that the system is very unbalanced. You can read the article on their website, here.

What happens to bright 5-year-olds from poor backgrounds?

The results of a longitudinal study by John Jerrim and Maria Palma Carvajal of the UCL Social Research Institute conclude that "We find that "the cognitive skills of bright 5-year-olds from low-income families keep pace with those of children from high-income families through to the end of primary school. However, the transition into secondary is … Continue reading What happens to bright 5-year-olds from poor backgrounds?

Understanding current practice and research priorities in teaching Writing

A new report from The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) focuses on furthering the understanding of current practice and research priorities in teaching Writing. Key findings include: Similarities in schools between all key stages in terms of their approaches and/or programmes to teach Writing, and how the decisions on the approach to Writing are made and … Continue reading Understanding current practice and research priorities in teaching Writing