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The Welsh education minister is also calling for schools and consortia to end mock and mini school inspections

This week’s essential education news includes criticism of the DfE’s response to teacher shortages, a defence of Ofsted judgements and flexible working ideas for schools

But education unions respond to new research by warning that ‘sticking-plaster’ teacher training bursaries will not fix staff shortages

But heads’ leaders warn the settlement is likely to ‘further exacerbate the funding pressures’ many schools are facing

This week’s essential education news includes schools’ actions to cut workload and controversy over Gavin Williamson’s stance on masks in schools during Covid

Schools in four local authorities have been closed today as a result of strike action, and more walkouts are now scheduled for November

A new NFER report reveals flexible working can boost recruitment and retention – but schools and trusts have to be proactive and willing to make it work

Union leaders and special schools warn extra funding announced to support teacher pay increase will not be sufficient

Unions warn that unfunded rise for private schools will force more schools to drop out of the teacher pension scheme

Half of the one-off £40m hardship fund announced for schools as part of the summer pay deal will go to local authorities with school deficits over 1% of income, the government has revealed

Support staff in eight Scottish local authorities are due to strike in November, but first minister Humza Yousaf says there is no money for an improved pay offer

Unions react with anger after Gillian Keegan warns that the DfE could introduce minimum service levels for schools to curb strike disruption