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Think tank FFT Education Datalab has recently published an analysis of pupils with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) in schools. Reviewing Department for Education data on SEN provision, Chief Statistician Dave Thomson highlights trends since 2007 showing that children with more complex needs are increasingly attending special schools, rather than secondary schools. The DfE …
Continue reading FFT analysis shows growing hole in provision for pupils with EHCPs
Tuesday 26 February 2019 saw the first regional roundtable co-hosted by Schools North East and the national Social Mobility Commission in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The newly reconstituted Social Mobility Commission has as its aim to improve upwards social mobility across England and focuses on people from disadvantaged communities. The Commission is led by Chairwoman Dame Martina Milburn and …
Continue reading Schools North East and Social Mobility Commission co-host first regional roundtable
Education Secretary Damian Hinds has set out new plans stating that school pupils of all ages will be taught compulsory health education from September 2020. Health education classes are to accompany parallel introductions of compulsory relationships education for primary-age pupils and relationships and sex education (RSE) for secondary-age pupils. Promoting the positive link between mental …
Continue reading Education Secretary unveils new guidance on launch of compulsory health education
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/investment-pledge-high-schools-amble-15897248 - Chronicle Live, Investment pledge for high schools in Amble and Berwick confirmed by Northumberland Council. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/ofsted-inspectors-note-significant-progress-15891401 - Chronicle Live, Ofsted inspectors note ‘significant progress’ in Sunderland’s learning and skills service. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-schools-great-park-plans-15886881 - Chronicle Live, £18.5m Newcastle schools expansion approved – but uncertainty remains over Great Park plans. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/sex-education-sexting-trans-gay-15881734 - Chronicle Live, School kids …
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Education Select Committee Chair Robert Halfon MP has called for GCSEs to be scrapped and A-Levels replaced by a baccalaureate. He argues that emphasis on a “knowledge-rich curriculum”, through performance measures like the EBacc, has pressurised teachers to train to the test. This leads to the focus being on rote learning …
Continue reading Scrap ‘pointless’ GCSEs says Education Select Committee Chair
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/council-bosses-quietly-optimistic-over-15817194 - Chronicle Live, Council bosses ‘quietly optimistic’ over future of Haydon Bridge High School. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hexham-seaton-delaval-new-schools-15819595 - Chronicle Live, Hexham and Seaton Delaval are both set to get new school buildings. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/multi-million-pound-plans-unveiled-15813660 - Chronicle Live, Multi-million pound plans unveiled to expand three Northumberland schools. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/tyne-wear-fire-childrens-safety-15814217 - Chronicle Live, Fire service ‘gambling with children’s safety’ by …
Parliamentary time has been allocated for debate on a school funding petition launched by the Gateshead Heads' Forum. MPs are set to discuss the matter on 4 March at 4:30PM. The campaign was spearheaded by Andrew Ramanandi, Head Teacher of St Joseph's Catholic School in Blaydon. In response to the news Mr Ramanandi said: “Head …
Continue reading MPs to debate Gateshead Heads’ funding petition
The National Literacy Trust’s Read North East campaign has partnered with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Public Health South Tees to launch an Early Years Partnership in the town. The Redcar Early Years Partnership will bring the National Literacy Trust’s flagship early years programme, Early Words Together, to 20 settings across Redcar and Cleveland, …
Continue reading New Redcar early years reading initiative launches
Teacher training providers have accused the Government of "lowering the bar" on teacher recruitment to beat England's shortage in the classroom, with Teacher Trainers coming under pressure from officials to "justify" decisions to reject candidates. Emma Hollis, head of the National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers, said making it easier to get into teaching was …
Continue reading Ministers accused of pressure over teacher recruits
Schools are in a stronger position to push back against councils that order them to take a pupil whose special educational needs they are unable to meet following a landmark judicial review. The High Court has today ruled that Medway Council acted unlawfully when it changed the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) of an …
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