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Exams expert calls for GCSE gender gap investigation
Any inquiry into the gender divide in educational outcomes should confront the ‘unthinkable’ prospect of ‘inherent’ differences between girls and boys, says Professor Alan Smithers
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Revealed: The trusts DfE has questioned over CEO pay
Government publishes the names of academy trusts it has contacted to demand evidence over pay decisions
NEU to launch formal strike ballot over funding and pay
The union's decision comes after it was revealed that schools will have to fund half of next year's teacher pay rise themselves
DfE warns drop in pupil numbers will be sharper than expected
Primary school rolls are now predicted to shrink by almost half a million over five years, and the fall in secondary numbers will be twice as steep as previously forecast
Sats results 2026: 63% meet expected standard
The delayed national key stage 2 assessment results show attainment has improved or remained stable in all subjects compared with last year
DfE removes Penta as BSO inspectorate after critical Ofsted reports
Association of British Schools Overseas welcomes the decision that it says ensures the integrity of the government kitemark is protected
Dame Christine Gilbert to lead review into Sats failings
DfE announces review on the day that delayed key stage 2 Sats results are due to be released
Can experts at hand really make a difference?
The government's £1.8bn plan to give mainstream schools expert support for inclusion is a key part of its SEND reforms. But leaders warn there are major obstacles in making the scheme a success
How do exam grade boundaries work and what happens with appeals?
ÌÇÐÄVlog explains the system of grading for exams in England and what can be done if marks do not appear to reflect students' work
Academy Trust Handbook 2026: what’s new?
The DfE publishes its updated guidance for academy trusts – but gives trusts an extra month to implement the changes
Most primary schools post pictures of pupils on social mediaÂ
However, over a quarter of primaries and one in five secondaries plan to change their picture-sharing policies in the near future, with fears raised over AI deepfakes and extortion
Oak lessons to warn strangulation during sex is a crime
Resources developed by Oak National Academy aim to help schools teach the revised RSHE curriculum, which comes into force in September
MAT to be broken up after behaviour policy backlash
Athena Learning Trust’s nine schools will transfer to other organisations after trustees acknowledge a ‘clear need for change’
Revealed: Scale of Ofsted complaints under report card framework
Data showing that one in 20 inspection activities resulted in a complaint has been published in the watchdog's annual report and accounts for 2025-26
Fears about digital exams don’t ‘stack up’, says AQA boss
Despite recent high-profile problems with traditional pen-and-paper exams, the CEO of England's biggest exam board tells ÌÇÐÄVlog that there should be more urgency in introducing on-screen assessment
Unions gauge support for industrial action over teacher pay
Teachers and leaders to be polled on action as findings reveal anger over next year's 3.5 per cent pay award
OCR defends decision not to re-mark controversial GCSE paper
Exam board's managing director, in an exclusive ÌÇÐÄVlog interview, says that despite a complaint being upheld by Ofqual and pressure from Tories, it cannot award marks for 'incorrect answers'
Plans for major shake-up of schools’ SEND funding
DfE consulting on plans to give schools more upfront funding for SEND provision, but also raise the £6,000 per pupil threshold for applying for top-up cash
Ark announces new CEOs to replace Lucy Heller
Patrick Wall will lead the Ark Schools multi-academy trust and Katie Oliver will be CEO of the organisation's charitable arm
School leaders ‘nervous’ about new sports network
DfE announces delay to the sports partnership network that will replace the PE and sport premium, but says primary schools will receive more transitional funding
Heads’ union seeks pact with NEU as industrial tensions rise
Negotiations come amid growing industrial action by the teaching union, with school leaders telling ÌÇÐÄVlog that disputes have left them feeling 'distressed' and 'exploited'
More than 1 in 3 inspected schools face Ofsted monitoring
ÌÇÐÄVlog analysis reveals a big increase in Ofsted monitoring inspections, prompting warnings about school leaders' wellbeing and inspector workload
Medical guidance published by heads’ union amid safety fears
The NAHT has published medical support guidance to help school leaders identify unsafe practices and challenge unreasonable expectations
KCSIE criticised for ‘watered down’ advice on online searches
Legal experts challenge the DfE's decision not to mandate social media checks when schools are recruiting staff, in its updated Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance
Almost 1 in 5 pupils off school at peak of heatwave
Schools in England had the highest daily absence rate so far during the 2025-26 academic year in June, when temperatures reached 37.7C