North East schools advised on careers guidance best practice by experts at FutureReady 2017 conference

FutureReady 2017 helped schools from across the region to access best practice in careers guidance, vital in making sure their pupils are equipped with the knowledge and experiences, along with the key attributes and attitudes, they need to succeed in the 21st century. The annual conference focusing on good careers guidance in schools brought together …

Let’s get Hygge with it

The latest Viking invasion is the antithesis of the marauding pirates of yesteryear; the modern incursion into the UK comes in true peace, in the shape of the Danish lifestyle trend, Hygge.  It is so much easier to write than to say – Hygge –pronounced Hoo ga – isn’t actually meant to be translated; instead …

MPs urge Government to prove how new grammar schools will close the gap, calling them an “unnecessary distraction”

The Education Select Committee has said the Government's focus on opening new grammar schools is an "unnecessary distraction". The cross-party committee of MPs said ministers still needed to demonstrate how this would improve social mobility and close the gap between rich and poor pupils. A new report, published last week by the Committee as an evidence …

Lack of compulsory sex and relationship education in academies and free schools “a ticking time bomb”, says LGA

The Local Government Association has called for compulsory sex and relationships education (SRE) in secondary academies and free schools, in light of the number of sexually transmitted infections (STI) diagnoses "rocketing once young people leave school". The representative body for more than 370 council in England and Wales says age-appropriate SRE needs to be an …

Body cameras on trial in English schools

A new pilot scheme where teachers wear police-style body cameras is being trialled by two schools in England. According to a BBC Newsbeat report, a criminal justice researcher from the University of Portsmouth has revealed that all teachers from two "normal" state secondary schools are wearing the cameras during a three-month trial period. Would you …

Helping our students be READY

The beginning of the Autumn term at Wolsingham School was no different to previous years. We, like many schools, had scheduled two days of staff training prior to the arrival of our students. However, this year staff, parents and governors started the new academic year considering one straightforward question, ‘what is the purpose of education …

Arts not at odds with the EBacc, says free schools charity

Free schools support charity finds "clear link" between high performance and including arts subjects alongside the core academic subject. New analysis of trends in GCSE entries over the last five years, carried out by the New Schools Network, shows that the introduction of the EBacc has had "no discernible impact" on the popularity of arts subjects. …

Northern Powerhouse think tank says improving secondary education in the North is top priority

Think tank chaired by George Osborne cites "overwhelming evidence" that attainment at age 16 is "too low" in the North, hindering future generation of region's employees' chances of reaching their potential. A new report published by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership says improving educational attainment at 16 should be a priority in the development of the Northern Powerhouse …

Working class disadvantage follows from school through to the professions

The Social Mobility Commission published findings that show the gross disparities in pay between professionals from working class backgrounds and their more advantaged colleagues. The Commission's research found that people from working class backgrounds who get a professional job are paid an average of £6,800 (17%) less each year than colleagues from more affluent backgrounds. …

Nick Gibb “comfortable” with how schools handle cost pressures

Labour MP for Newcastle North Catherine McKinnell has pressed the Schools Minister during an Education Committee session, on whether he was "comfortable" with the way schools have been dealing with cost pressures. This comes after school leaders told MPs of being forced to make teaching and support staff redundant and cut other costs just to …