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SEND reform bill unlikely to be published until new year

Government adviser suggests bill will be published early in 2027 and also says the DfE is considering how it can create a curriculum ‘that young people can succeed in’

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Schools spend 100 hours a week managing phones

Policing students' use of phones is a 'big strain' on staff, whether the school has a strict policy on devices or not, new research shows

DfE under pressure over its 6,500 new teachers pledge

The chair of education committee demands details on Labour's progress towards achieving its manifesto pledge to recruit thousands more teachers

Ofsted: Heads question fairness of combining attendance and behaviour

ÌÇÐÄVlog analysis shows most schools graded as 'needs attention' were only criticised over attendance and not behaviour

Third of areas cut core school funding to prop up SEND

DfE urged to fix the 'scandal' of mainstream school funding being diverted to support councils' 'mountainous' SEND debts

1 in 10 students sees peers make sexual deepfakes

And a third of teenagers are using AI for mental health support, according to research into young people's use of technology

Government to cover 90% of council SEND debts

Local authorities will be able to apply for a new High Needs Stability Grant if they get DfE approval for a local SEND reform plan

Half of RISE schools faced ‘challenges’ with supporting organisations

DfE urged to rethink which schools are targeted under its new school improvement programme after evaluation report highlights early difficulties

No need to go to Shanghai or Singapore for answers, says DfE adviser

Capacity to improve England's schools exists within the system, and it would be better to travel to see good practice within country's borders, says Sir Kevan Collins

DfE guidance on phones ‘insufficient’, warns union

NASUWT calls for statutory restrictions on phones in schools, saying the current government guidance exposes staff to challenges from parents

Cash-strapped councils’ spending on private special schools soars

Local authorities with the biggest SEND deficits see their spending on places in independent special schools rise by up to 58 per cent, ÌÇÐÄVlog analysis shows

Inspired Education appoints new Middle East chief

The growing international schools group says the appointment 'reinforces our long-term commitment to high-quality education' across the Middle East and North Africa

School-readiness focus for new Best Start in Life ‘champion’

The DfE's appointment of Sue Robb comes amid concerns that too many children are arriving in Reception lacking basic skills

GLF Schools appoints new CEO from DfE

The 43-school trust will be led by Warwick Sharp, following the resignation of Julian Drinkall last May

Can citizenship be squeezed into a ‘bursting’ primary curriculum?

Citizenship education is to become mandatory in primary schools. But how realistic is it to expect schools to fit a subject ranging from law to finances and media literacy into an already-busy timetable?

Revealed: How much the biggest MATs make from investments

The largest multi-academy trusts are generating millions by investing surplus cash, but sector leader warns this must not replace core funding

Independent group to monitor Ofsted’s impact on heads’ wellbeing

The NAHT launches advisory group, which will include the watchdog and DfE, amid concerns over new inspection framework

8 in 10 councils could be left insolvent by SEND deficits

Research suggests 95 per cent of councils have a deficit as a result of SEND spending exceeding their funding

Nearly a fifth of KS4 students recorded with SEND

The latest key stage 4 data shows that the proportion of students with SEND has been rising since before Covid, but also that the gender gap in KS4 results has narrowed

‘Excellent foundation’ for languages in Scottish schools

Modest growth at Higher level offers hope amid ongoing concerns about declining popularity of languages

Academy trust reserves to plummet in next two years

Trusts face a 'bleak outlook' with their budgets despite a strong financial performance last year, Kreston report warns

Lords vote to curb new powers over academy admissions

Peers back an amendment to the government's schools bill, despite Labour warnings that the change would leave schools victim to 'ridiculous market forces'

School phone ban backed by Lords in government defeat

The House of Lords votes in favour of a statutory ban on phones in schools, despite the government strengthening its guidance on this issue last month

DfE ‘particularly keen’ to recruit male teachers

Education minister Olivia Bailey tells MPs that the department wants to see more men 'teaching, guiding and leading' in schools

Reading for pleasure needs a ‘higher profile’ at school, MPs told

Education experts giving evidence to an MPs' inquiry into the decline in children reading for pleasure make four recommendations to address the problem