Policy
The latest news, analysis and advice on government policy and legislation. Find a breakdown of new documentation, case studies from leaders and comment from high-profile educators
Friday
28th Jun 2024
Weekly round-up: ITT recruitment trouble and staff leaving
This week鈥檚 essential education news includes high rejection rates for ITT applications for subjects with staff shortages, and the scale of the teacher retention crisis
Teachers鈥� views sought on new Scottish education bill
The education bill promises to 鈥榖etter support pupils and teachers鈥�, so MSPs are particularly keen to hear their opinions
Wednesday
26th Jun 2024
Demand for answers on Scottish Erasmus replacement
MSPs question why the Scottish government鈥檚 approach to replacing the Erasmus student exchange scheme is 鈥榮o much slower than their counterparts in Wales鈥�
SEN in Northern Ireland: 鈥業f we winter this one out, we can summer anywhere鈥櫬�
There is 鈥榞rowing frustration at all levels鈥� with Northern Ireland鈥檚 special educational needs system 鈥� and solutions must be based on a 鈥榟ighly inclusive鈥� approach, says Noel Purdy
Rural schools are in danger of complete extinction
For too long the difficulties for small, rural schools have been ignored 鈥� the next government needs to save these vital 鈥榗ommunity anchors鈥�, says one MAT leader
Tuesday
25th Jun 2024
Decision on future of Scottish exams delayed until new school year
Publication of long-awaited Hayward review response 鈥� as well as behaviour action plan and mobile phone guidance 鈥� put on hold, as education secretary cites pre-election rules
Councils consider learning hours as leverage in teacher numbers dispute
Scottish councils could offer to protect the time children spend in class in exchange for relaxing the rules on teacher numbers 鈥� but is the government interested in compromise?
Monday
24th Jun 2024
Main parties 鈥榮ilent鈥� on urgent school funding problems
School finance leaders and trust governors call for the main political parties to set out how they would tackle the 鈥榤ost significant鈥� issue that schools are facing
Sir Kevan Collins to advise on schools if Labour wins election
Sir Kevan was the government鈥檚 education recovery commissioner until quitting over a lack of funding for his catch-up package
How to entice more teachers? Simple: talk up teaching
The next government could do itself a favour by talking up the profession and making society value the work of educators, says chair of Headteachers鈥� Roundtable
Friday
21st Jun 2024
EIS hustings: 鈥榃hat Scottish schools need is more money鈥�
But where will it come from? From VAT on private school fees to calls for independence 鈥� here鈥檚 what the main political parties had to say
The scale of the teacher retention crisis revealed
Over 12 years, 40,438 state school teachers left within one year of qualifying. New DfE data exposes the extent of the problem, which leaders say must be a post-election priority