Wednesday
How much will Scotland’s new inspection and qualifications bodies cost?
New figures put the cost of establishing the new bodies at anywhere from under £1 million to over £30 million in the first four years
New education bill sets date for SQA replacement - and reveals its name
Milestone for Scottish education reform with confirmation of new qualifications agency, including ‘central’ role for teachers and students, and an independent inspection body
Monday
Wales shelves plans to shake up school year
Consultation shows only ‘a narrow majority’ in favour of the changes to holidays, as schools are told to prioritise new curriculum and improving attainment
Election 2024: ‘Urgent’ need to boost education spend, says NEU
Biggest teaching union sets out 10 demands for the next government, including free school meals for all pupils, an end to mandatory primary testing and SEND support reform
Revealed: What schools want from a new government
A poll of school leaders and teachers reveals the issues they are most concerned about ahead of the general election
Friday
Ministers accused of ‘greenlighting’ further cuts to teacher numbers
Failure to hit Scottish government teacher number targets will not result in the ‘totality’ of funding being withheld – ‘mitigating factors’ will also be taken into account
Future of Northern Ireland school inspection laid out
Northern Ireland’s Education and Training Inspectorate is ‘determined to lower the stakes but raise the impact associated with inspection’
7 real-world fixes for the growing attainment gap
The attainment gap may not be top of the to-do list for the next government but it’s a growing issue that cannot be ignored – especially as it could shape the future of the country for years to come, says Carl Cullinane
Phones in schools: what’s happening in Scotland?
Amid growing calls for mobile phones to banned in schools and with the Scottish government due to publish guidance, Emma Seith investigates how schools are handling the issue
Thursday
Swinney: Cutting teachers would hinder drive to close attainment gap
But letter to councils from education secretary reveals that government stance on teacher numbers is not as hardline as previously appeared
Labour’s VAT plans, staff costs and the law: what schools need to know
A lawyer explains why Labour’s proposed tax plans have got private schools considering their options on staff pay – but the law is clear on what actions they can and cannot take
Why better paternity pay would be a game-changer
Bringing paternity pay in line with maternity pay would bring schools and trusts in line with similar public sector institutions that recognise the value in this approach, says Emma Sheppard
