Policy
The latest news, analysis and advice on government policy and legislation. Find a breakdown of new documentation, case studies from leaders and comment from high-profile educators
Monday
28th Mar 2022
Secondary pupils suffered more learning loss in reading last autumn
The disadvantage gap has also continued to widen since the summer of 2021, research shows
Schools White Paper: Gimmicks and old news but MAT focus offers welcome clarity
Sam Freedman pores over the Schools White Paper and finds little to get excited about – apart from, perhaps, proposals around academies that address issues left unattended for too long
Schools White Paper: 5 things the DfE has got right
One multi-academy trust leader explains why she believes the government’s new Schools White Paper policy document should be welcomed
White Paper: Why it’s time for academy trusts to ‘grasp the nettle’
In its White Paper, the government has set out its ambition that all schools should be part of a strong academy trust – the sector must use this as a springboard, says the CEO of the Confederation of School Trusts
DfE’s Parent Pledge a ‘policy gimmick’, say heads
How education leaders are responding to today’s Schools White Paper
Zahawi on why he didn’t ask for any new cash for the White Paper
In his only one-to-one interview with an education publication on the launch of the new Schools White Paper, Nadhim Zahawi explains why he is confident the paper’s proposals don’t need extra funding to be achievable
Schools White Paper: everything you need to know
Ministers have set targets for higher grades at GCSE, better Sats scores and all schools being in multi-academy trusts by 2030
Friday
25th Mar 2022
DfE must reveal ‘vital’ catch-up attendance data
Exclusive: The DfE has again refused to reveal attendance figures for its flagship catch-up tutoring programme, claiming that the ‘unvalidated’ data could ‘normalise a culture of cancelling tutoring sessions’
Education can be part of watershed for Gypsy Traveller community
Gypsy Travellers have very high school exclusion rates and some of the lowest attainment rates in Scotland
DfE plans £5m ‘attendance mentors’ to tackle absence
A government pilot scheme to help improve pupil attendance in certain areas of England was first mooted in last month’s levelling up White Paper
Why we should welcome the role of educational agitator
Schools encouraged teachers to think outside of the box during Covid – and now we need to empower them to innovate in more ‘normal’ times, says Jon Severs