AQA to review staff training after grade change debacle

The exam board AQA has announced plans to review its training for staff who review exam marks, following an investigation by Ofqual into a huge rise in the number of GCSE grades changed this year. Ofqual has published an undertaking made by the exam board, in which it admits to not having “acted sufficiently” to …

Access to ‘top’ schools has become more unequal, finds research

The Thinktank Education Policy Institute (EPI) has called for the government to recognise the North East as an area with big educational challenges. A child's chances of getting into a high-performing secondary school increasingly depend on where they live, according to new research. Virtually all of the areas containing few high-performing schools are in the North of England, analysis from thinktank Education …

DfE launches consultation into sex education in schools

Sexting, online pornography, staying safe online, transgender issues - should these topics be included in new sex and relationships education (SRE) guidelines for schools in England? The Department for Education is asking parents and young people for their opinions in an eight-week call for views on what should be covered. The current SRE guidelines have …

Majority of Bright Tribe’s £1m ‘northern hub’ funding spent on senior staff

The Bright Tribe academy trust has already spent “the majority” of a £1 million grant to help to encourage expansion in the north of England, despite taking on only three schools in the region, Lord Agnew has revealed. The academies minister has written to members of the parliamentary education committee in response to questions asked …

SCHOOLS NorthEast Autumn Term update

It’s been a busy term here at SCHOOLS NorthEast. From hosting our annual sell-out Summit to inputting on national education consultations, take a look at a snapshot of what we’ve been keeping ourselves busy with this term… First workstream launched for the Healthy MindED Commission We have 370 schools in Partner Schools scheme 200 schools …

Education Policy Update: Papers released this term

September The Statistics Regulator wrote to the DfE expressing concern about its publication and use of statistics and calling on the Department to revise procedure Ofsted reported back on its summer consultation short inspections, confirming an improved conversion process and launching consultation on three further proposals… The Education Secretary outlined the Government’s response to the …

Education News in the Autumn Term: A Round Up

From Mental Health Papers, to Ofsted reforms and Careers Strategies, it’s been a big news term this Autumn. As the year comes to a close, we take a look back at the main headlines we’ve reported on since September:   Ofsted boss ‘tears her hair out’ over schools that still grade individual lessons Amanda Spielman …

Ofsted Report 2017: Primary School Review

Ofsted’s 2016/17 Annual Report made a number of comments relating Primary Schools: Only 25% of primary schools are academies, compared to 70% of secondaries, showing the fragmentation between the sectors. Ninety per cent of all primary schools in England are currently rated good or outstanding, the same as in 2016. However, some continue to struggle. …

England has one of the world’s largest gaps between highest and lowest performers in primary maths

90,000 more primary pupils need to reach maths grade if England is to become ‘world class’ Around 90,000 more primary pupils need to achieve the expected standard at the end of primary for England to be considered “world class” in maths, new research says. The analysis, published by the Education Policy Institute and UCL Institute …

Ofsted Report 2017: Its focus for the Future

In the 88-page Annual Report released by Ofsted this week, the inspectorate laid out their main foci for the future in the areas where they believe needs most support, and monitoring. Amanda Spielman, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, said: “Part of our role is to support their efforts by focusing on those remaining areas of provision that …