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
6th Oct 2023
Covid inquiry: ‘Mistake’ to keep schools shut
Former children’s tsar tells inquiry the government failed to ‘realistically prepare’ for Covid lockdowns and mitigate their long-term impact on pupils
ÌÇÐÄVlog News podcast conference special: The end of A levels?
Join the ÌÇÐÄVlog News team as we discuss the prime minister’s plan for a new post-16 qualification, the Advanced British Standard, and look ahead to the Labour Party’s conference in Liverpool
Labour Party conference: What can teachers expect?
After Rishi Sunak revealed his big plan for post-16 education at his party’s conference, how will the opposition respond?
Fears catch-up progress will be lost as schools face costs struggle
Some schools are questioning the point of getting tutoring ‘up and running’ when funds are set to disappear next year
‘Outstanding’ grade ‘out of reach’ for ‘good’ schools
ÌÇÐÄVlog analysis showing huge fall in ‘good’ schools being given the top rating by Ofsted reveals how it is now a ‘binary’ inspection grading system, warn leaders
Exclusive
Is the end nigh for performance-related pay?
Wales dropped PRP for teachers in 2020 in favour of yearly pay rises. Could England follow suit? Grainne Hallahan follows the money
Thursday
5th Oct 2023
Heads question supervised school toothbrushing plan
Labour has said it will introduce supervised toothbrushing in schools as part of plans to improve the nation’s oral health
Sunak’s A-level plan drawn up on ‘back of envelope’
Shadow schools minister Catherine McKinnell accuses Rishi Sunak of announcing a ‘back-of-the-envelope policy’ while school roofs are ‘literally propped up’
Teacher shortages make Advanced British Standard a pipe dream
ASCL’s Geoff Barton argues that for all the potential merits of considering reforms to post-16 education, the teacher shortage crisis makes it unrealistic
MATs worried about financial stability
Less than half of multi-academy trusts are confident about their long-term finances, research shows
Concern for 7,000 pupils on FSM at RAAC-hit schools
Trust leader ‘really worried’ about impact of disruption on disadvantaged students, as union boss calls for special considerations for those taking exams