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School referrals to Prevent hit a ‘dead end’, warns commissioner

Dame Rachel de Souza calls for a change in the law after data shows most school referrals to the anti-terrorism programme bounce back with no action taken

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What will it take to get all schools into trusts?

ÌÇÐÄVlog investigates the challenges of achieving the White Paper target of bringing every school into a strong trust – and the incentives that could be necessary to fulfil it

Disadvantaged schools more likely to be graded down on achievement

Heads in deprived areas warn that grades awarded by Ofsted for its new achievement category are 'demoralising' and fail to take their challenging circumstances into account

NEU: Reform would make education ‘hostile place’ for many children

General secretary Daniel Kebede, speaking ahead of his union's annual conference, warns that Reform is pushing 'divisive messages' – while Reform says 'unions are driving down standards'

New regional director sets out RISE priorities

Nigel Minns becomes East Midlands regional director for the school improvement programme after serving as a director of children's services for eight years

Special schools more than 10,000 pupils over capacity

The proportion of special schools that are full or over capacity is far higher than for mainstream schools, the latest DfE figures show

Single national approach to teacher induction essential, says GTCS

Shake-up of Teacher Induction Scheme must include consigning the term 'probationer' to the past, says General Teaching Council for Scotland

National guidance advises complete ban on vapes in Scottish schools

Schools told of legal responsibility to dispose of vapes and lithium batteries safely in new government guidance that also addresses other substances and their use in schools

Scrap smart uniforms, say nearly half of secondary teachers

An increased focus on inclusion and cost means some schools are revising their uniform policies. But teachers are divided and leaders are less convinced of the need for change, exclusive polling reveals

6.5% teacher pay rise ‘risks reversing’ recruitment gains

Teachers will need at least a 7 per cent increase over three years to keep pace with other professions, says National Foundation for Educational Research

Teachers worried about impact of screen time on reading

School staff are also concerned about a lack of parent support on reading, research shows, while heads warn reading for pleasure has been 'squeezed out of the curriculum'

Wealthier pupils benefited most from ‘gifted and talented’ scheme

A now-defunct government programme for 'gifted and talented' students could have 'inadvertently reinforced educational inequalities', say researchers – but they still want to see the idea revived

‘Insidious return of prejudice’ fuelling racism in schools, leaders warn

Sexism and misogyny are also now 'in plain sight', says ASCL general secretary after research highlights school leaders' concerns

Teacher retention payments: all you need to know

Which teachers are eligible for targeted retention incentive payments, and when can they apply?

Ofsted recruits unpaid inspectors as part of pilot scheme

Inspectors recruited under the scheme will not get an inspection fee, with Ofsted instead contributing to their employers’ costs

Phillipson launches KS3 commission

The Key Stage 3 Alliance will form part of the government’s universal RISE school improvement offer, education secretary tells ASCL annual conference

Chief executive of The Education Alliance announces departure

Jonny Uttley is moving on from the 12-academy trust after six years as CEO and 15 years at the MAT

Minister defends ‘indefensible’ DfE hike in advertising spending

'Serious questions' asked after the Department for Education's spending on marketing approaches £50 million a year – up 43 per cent since 2022-23

Lack of space in schools could halt inclusion drive, DfE warned

The government's SEND plans involve thousands of pupils being taught in new 'inclusion bases' – but many school sites don't have space to create them, say leaders

‘Unreasonable’ parents driving teachers away, union warns 

Three-quarters of headteachers say parent behaviour has negatively affected their mental health, according to ASCL research

Ofsted chief will ‘not downplay’ disadvantaged schools’ outcomes

Analysis of the watchdog's report card system has shown that disadvantaged schools may be 'unfairly penalised'

Risk of unfunded pay rise ‘derailing’ reforms, ASCL boss warns

Pepe Di’Iasio also tells ministers that SEND reforms will need more investment to succeed

Red tape blocks school funding for children in care, finds Ofsted

Teachers tell the watchdog that working with different local authorities with different processes can be frustrating when trying to support vulnerable pupils

Deliver on SEND or lose services, ministers warn councils

SEND reform plans are needed by June – and government will withdraw services from failing authorities, local officers have been warned

Cognita enters Austrian market with Salzburg school buy

International schools group is now operating in 21 countries after deal for IB curriculum school with 230 pupils