General
Tuesday
Ofqual calls for tougher action on phones and AI cheating
Exams watchdog writes to biggest UK exam boards, warning of rising numbers of students breaking rules
New ‘experts at hand’ won’t arrive fast enough, DfE warned
Professional bodies back bigger roles in schools for educational psychologists, occupational and speech and language therapists – but say they already struggle to meet demand
Monday
No need for GCSE students to memorise equations until 2030
Minister tells Ofqual to continue giving equation and formula sheets to science and maths candidates until GCSEs are reformed
Ofqual warned of ‘moving too slowly’ on digital assessments
England’s largest exam board says the ‘cautious’ rollout of on-screen assessments proposed by the regulator could ‘hinder progress’
Friday
Private schools lose legal challenge over VAT on fees
Several schools and parents previously brought legal action against the Treasury, but now Court of Appeal dismisses the challenge
1 in 5 school support staff thinking of leaving sector
Dissatisfaction with pay is the most common reason why support staff are considering walking away, according to evidence submitted to new pay award body
Schools White Paper: when will the plans be delivered?
ÌÇÐÄVlog sets out the timeline for key reforms included in this week’s schools White Paper and associated plans to overhaul the SEND system
Local authorities ‘actively’ exploring opening school trusts
The schools White Paper said councils will get the power to form multi-academy trusts – while some have plans in the works, others have already ruled this out
Can Labour put all schools into trusts?
The government’s schools White Paper sets out a goal for full academisation – but ÌÇÐÄVlog analysis suggests that it would take decades to turn this into reality
SEND reform plans ‘risk overwhelming Sendcos’
Experts voice fears about the proposed new duty on schools to produce a statutory support plan for every pupil with SEND
