General
Thursday
Weekly round-up: Teacher shortages and DfE strike plans
This week’s essential education news includes new data revealing the difficulties in finding enough teachers and reaction to the DfE’s plans to limit teacher strikes
Scotland’s new chief inspector of education announced
New chief inspector Janie McManus will play a key role in bringing about the new independent inspectorate of education
ITT: DfE maths bursary plan ‘cut teacher numbers’
Government scheme to increase the number of maths teachers by spreading out financial incentives actually led to fewer staff in the system, analysis suggests
Academies body CST takes legal advice over DfE strike plan
Confederation of School Trusts CEO Leora Cruddas warns that minimum service levels risk putting schools ‘in direct conflict’ with their staff
Wednesday
New strike rules will spark High Court battle, heads warn
ASCL leader says he expects DfE plan to impose minimum service levels in schools during teacher strikes to be challenged in the High Court
Gilruth’s 5-point plan to tackle behaviour in Scottish schools
The education secretary wants more accurate reporting of ‘inappropriate, abusive or violent behaviour’ and has announced more funding for staff training
Schools ‘face new financial crisis’ as costs remain high
Schools will need 12 per cent extra funding next year to cope with increased costs, warns national funding expert
NI teachers strike in long-running pay dispute
Unions say teacher pay in Northern Ireland compares badly with other parts of the UK but they are still hearing ‘excuses’ over the lack of a deal
Regional directors ‘lack knowledge to hold trusts to account’
DfE regional directors cover such big areas they are not able to tackle problems quickly enough, council bosses warn
Pupils need AI lessons from age 11, say experts
There is not enough focus on artificial intelligence in ‘highly theoretical’ GCSE, according to the British Computer Society
