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
Wednesday
17th Mar 2021
Extending school time 鈥榤ust not feel like a punishment鈥�
Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman says extending the school day will be time wasted if pupils switch off
Covid catch-up tutors meet no more than third of demand
Some 66 per cent of pupils allocated tutoring places had still not started sessions last month, says watchdog
How DfE Covid helpline failed as schools needed it most
Last March, with Covid closures looming, average DfE helpline waiting time was 35 minutes and half of callers gave up
Tuesday
16th Mar 2021
鈥榁ery clear鈥� that CfE review can鈥檛 be seen before June
MSPs had questioned why draft version of review of Scottish curriculum could not be shared before May elections
GCSEs: Teachers in 鈥榠nvidious鈥� position, Gibb warned
Shadow schools minister also warns that headteachers are being forced to 鈥榬aid鈥� school budgets to cover Covid safety costs
Exclusive: New children鈥檚 tsar wants to end exclusions
Former boss of academy trust probed over off-rolling concerns wants to work with teaching profession to end the practice
Monday
15th Mar 2021
Sturgeon: Covid rise could be linked to pupils鈥� return
A link between pupils returning to schools and 鈥榓 bit of an uptick in cases鈥� cannot be ruled out, says first minister
Sarwar reveals 鈥榚ducation comeback鈥� plan for pupils
New Scottish Labour leader outlines his party鈥檚 education priorities during his first major speech in the role
鈥楾he government is showing its contempt for teachers鈥�
From this week all pupils are due back in Scottish schools 鈥� ministers have given us a huge headache, says one school leader
Change curriculum to end academic 鈥榮nobbery鈥�, say heads
ASCL leader Geoff Barton will also call for reforms to accountability and assessment in today鈥檚 speech to union鈥檚 national conference
Thursday
11th Mar 2021
Sturgeon: Return of pupils to go ahead from Monday
First minister says there are 鈥榬eal grounds for optimism鈥� as she confirms the next stage of opening up schools
Swinney under fire after second no-confidence vote
Education secretary this time faced a no-confidence vote over his role as deputy first minister