Thursday
Social transition requests should be treated with ‘caution’, DfE says
The government will embed gender guidance for schools within Keeping Children Safe in Education, including guidelines to ensure that single-sex spaces are protected
A-level disadvantage gap narrows slightly
DfE’s 16-18 performance data shows how the attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their peers has changed in recent years, as well as other key trends
‘Outlier’ CEO pay flattens after DfE crackdown
But leaders’ pay still varies hugely at trusts told to justify their pay decisions – from £25 per pupil to £331, ÌÇÐÄVlog analysis reveals
Call to create new national standards for AP
Report warns that delaying the pipeline of new AP free schools risks more students being placed in unregistered alternative provision
Wednesday
New school estates strategy: all you need to know
Today the government unveiled an ambitious 10-year plan to improve crumbling school buildings and future-proof them for the decades to come. ÌÇÐÄVlog breaks down the details
Ofsted: We ‘could do more’ on early years safeguarding
MPs question senior Ofsted official on whether the safeguarding system in the early years is fit for purpose
Why are schools getting more complaints than ever?
Headteachers are reporting a surge in complaints from parents. Ellen Peirson-Hagger explores the reasons for this and asks experts how the process could be made more manageable for overstretched school staff
RAAC crisis in schools demands permanent fixes, MPs warn
Significant risks remain across ageing school buildings – and that affects pupils’ learning and wellbeing, warns education committee
Tuesday
Schools spend 100 hours a week managing phones
Policing students’ use of phones is a ‘big strain’ on staff, whether the school has a strict policy on devices or not, new research shows
DfE under pressure over its 6,500 new teachers pledge
The chair of education committee demands details on Labour’s progress towards achieving its manifesto pledge to recruit thousands more teachers
Monday
Government to cover 90% of council SEND debts
Local authorities will be able to apply for a new High Needs Stability Grant if they get DfE approval for a local SEND reform plan
Half of RISE schools faced ‘challenges’ with supporting organisations
DfE urged to rethink which schools are targeted under its new school improvement programme after evaluation report highlights early difficulties
