Wednesday
The £250,000 question about exam grades we should be asking
With research revealing the impact that a one-grade difference in A-level results can have on a student’s future earnings, is a reliability in grading of ‘one grade either way’ really acceptable, asks Dennis Sherwood
DfE spending on influencers exceeds £700K over two years
The spending on influencer marketing at a time when schools are struggling for cash suggests the government is operating in an ‘alternate reality’, says heads’ leader
Tuesday
More than £300m could be taken from DfE budget to fund defence
The prime minister, saying that the UK has to be prepared for war, sets out his Defence Investment Plan, which will divert funding from the capital budget for schools
The problems with a school phone ban: a research perspective
Banning phones can have unintended consequences, so schools need to be cautious about how they implement the statutory ban in September, new research suggests
Monday
Pay teachers more in white working-class areas, DfE told
England’s education system is ‘not set up to serve white working-class children and families’, independent inquiry warns
We need to target KS3 to improve white working-class outcomes
A member of the inquiry into white working-class pupils’ outcomes says successive governments’ efforts to drive up standards have overlooked a phase of education where students often become disengaged
MAT financial failings prove the need for greater oversight
MP Dave Robertson says high-profile issues at several multi-academy trusts should spur the DfE to introduce strong oversight processes
DfE urged to correct ‘misleading’ energy claims
Schools will be pushed into unsuitable contracts after DfE encourages them to sign up to its Maximising Value for Pupils programme, say energy experts
Friday
What does the MBacc tell us about Burnham’s vision of education?
Andy Burnham is very likely to be our next prime minister. As Greater Manchester mayor, he launched the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate. What might this indicate about his approach to education?
Why the inclusion bases guidance does little to ease heads’ anxiety
The DfE has now set out how it wants SEND inclusion bases to be run in a reformed mainstream school system. But ÌÇÐÄVlog’ SEND and inclusion editor, John Roberts, says the guidance doesn’t allay leaders’ concerns about what comes next
Thursday
What a strong inclusion base can achieve
With the government publishing guidance on setting up an inclusion base, one school cited by the DfE as delivering the type of provision it wants to see shares insights on its approach to improving outcomes for all
DfE sets out how it expects schools to run SEND inclusion bases
Guidance reveals detailed plans for support and specialist inclusion bases in schools – but heads’ leaders fear the funding falls short
