An outcry by Christians over plans to register and inspect Sunday schools is forcing the Government to ‘tread carefully’ over the matter, it has emerged. During a debate in the House of Lords, Lord Nash, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the School System, revealed that a consultation on the out-of-school settings plans received 18,000 responses. Read more
New non-statutory guidance on home education in Wales does not protect the rights of pupils, the children’s commissioner has said. Currently, councils do not need to be told if a child is home educated, unless they are removed from school. Prof Sally Holland renewed her calls for a compulsory register of home-schooled students. Read more
Progress 8 is heralded as the measure that will ensure the attainment of all students is prioritised at GCSE, not just those on the C/D borderline. But how exactly does the new system work? This quick guide from TES explains all.
A free school supported by Michael Gove and Boris Johnson against local opposition will abruptly close next month after attracting only 60 pupils since it opened in 2012, and struggling to recruit staff and find a permanent site. It becomes the sixth free school to close since the initiative was launched in 2010. Many free schools have struggled to find sites. Read more
Ministers have confirmed that funding from a tax on sugary soft drinks will continue to be ring-fenced for school sports until 2020. The government has plans to double the value of the primary PE and sports premium to £320 million from September by using some of the funds from the new tax. The levy, which the government has said will raise £520 million, will also pay for an extended school day at 25 per cent of secondary schools in the most disadvantaged areas of England, and fund the expansion of healthy breakfast clubs. Read more
Education Secretary Justine Greening is to announce a wave of ‘research schools’ to raise standards in disadvantaged parts of England. These schools will encourage innovation and share evidence-based ideas. A total of 12 areas will share £72m, to improve the quality of education and to provide young people with the advice and skills needed for good jobs. Read more