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GCSE results 2026: English and maths pass rates down for fifth straight year

This year’s GCSE results also reveal that the regional divide in England in attainment continued to widen while the gender gap narrowed

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Heads urged to do more to shape future of Scottish education

School leaders must be 'brave' and push for education reform to 'move forward at pace', hears annual gathering of secondary headteachers

Exam special access requests spark call for support

The number of approved access arrangements for GCSE and A-level exams has increased significantly, new figures show

Weekly round-up: DfE changes - Gibb out, Hinds back

This week’s must-read education news includes the exit of long-serving schools minister Nick Gibb and the return of a former education secretary

‘Get Hayward done’, education directors tell Scottish government

Implementing the review of qualifications and assessment would ‘bring about serious change’, says outgoing ADES president

A level: Disadvantage gap narrows to pre-Covid levels

But school leaders say the results show the government has 'failed to grasp the nettle' to close the 'stubborn attainment gap'

‘400 years’ to rebuild all schools with current funding

All schools should be rebuilt every 75 years, say school business professionals, but current investment would leave some waiting beyond the year 2500

MPs launch inquiry into financial education

The Commons Education Select Committee has launched an inquiry into how financial education can be strengthened in primary and secondary schools

GCSEs 2024: Support for maths and science due to Covid

Ofqual has launched a consultation on proposals to allow formulae and equation sheets for GCSE maths, physics and combined science exams

‘Something, somewhere is going wrong in Scottish education’

But it’s not clear that Curriculum for Excellence is to blame for long-term declines in Scotland's Pisa education rankings, finds the IFS

Five DfE warnings over school buildings

Report sets out how government advisers want academy trusts to improve the management of their school estates

99% of secondary schools face cuts next year, unions claim

The School Cuts website has been relaunched today as unions call on government to increase school spending in the Autumn Statement

Academy reserves plan ‘will take cash from frontline’

ESFA plan to contact academy trusts whose reserves fall below a threshold is 'unreasonable', warns school business leader

Accountability ‘killing’ Scottish secondary curriculum

Students are ‘voting with their feet’ and refusing to attend lessons because schools lack the freedom, resources and staff to run engaging courses, MSPs are told

AI in schools: the risks and rewards

While artificial intelligence could cut teacher workload and help shy pupils, it also poses risks to education, primary school leaders in Scotland are told

Teacher wellbeing survey reveals record levels of stress

Education Support also found that almost three-quarters of education staff do not believe that Ofsted inspections are fit for purpose

What can schools expect from Damian Hinds?

The latest government reshuffle has brought a familiar face back to Sanctuary Buildings as schools minister. What will this mean for the DfE's approach to schools?

Just 9% of leaders find DfE workload toolkit useful

Almost a third of senior leaders have not heard of the Department for Education's workload toolkit, new research suggests

Ofsted: More schools keep ‘outstanding’ grade

But the number of schools with the top Ofsted rating has fallen overall after the return of routine inspections

SQA workers back strike action over pay dispute

Unite says SQA members have ‘overwhelmingly’ backed strike action, and that walkouts could have an impact on 2024 exam results

Gibb: ‘I will never cease to be deeply involved in education policy’

In an exclusive interview after stepping down as schools minister, Nick Gibb outlines what he’s proud of, whether he has any regrets and why he doesn’t see himself as a ‘radical’

Damian Hinds back as DfE minister

No 10 announces appointment of former education secretary after schools minister Nick Gibb resigned earlier today

Nick Gibb resigns as schools minister

His departure comes as the prime minister oversees a wider Cabinet reshuffle having sacked home secretary Suella Braverman

Breaking: Nick Gibb stepping down as schools minister

The schools minister has asked the prime minister if he can stand down ahead of taking up a diplomatic role after the next general election

Specific SEND diagnosis more likely in affluent areas

Primary pupils with special educational needs and disabilities living in more affluent areas also have a higher chance of receiving an education, health and care plan, research shows