Relentless focus on STEM should be altered

Ed Vaizey has used a debate on increasing music education to blast the current ‘relentless focus on STEM’ in schools across the country.

Child mental health unit referrals rising

Referrals to child mental health units from UK primary schools have increased by nearly 50 per cent in the last three years.

Decisive action taken to reduce teacher workload

A survey of school leaders and classroom teachers has revealed that schools are taking decisive action to reduce teacher workload.

Small schools in England have halved since 1980

The number of small schools in England has halved in recent decades, with those in rural and village settings twice as likely to have shut.

Local authority schools to be more transparent

The DfE has invited views from across the education system on applying some of the financial measures used in academies to local authority run schools.

New qualifications to progress teaching careers

A new advisory group will recommend developing new, specialist National Professional Qualifications to help teachers excel in the classroom.

Changes to teachers’ professional skills test

The government has announced that it is introducing a new approach to assessing the numeracy and literacy of prospective teachers.

Teaching still seen as a job for life

Majority of people agree that teaching is a job for life, but 53 per cent of teachers would not be likely to recommend teaching.

Government urged to toughen up home education plans

Plans to introduce a compulsory register for home-educated children risk failing children’s safety without more powers for councils.

Fifth of schools not managing asbestos well

The Department for Education has published its asbestos management assurance process report.

New research has warned that working parents will have to find £828 on average for six weeks of holiday childcare per child this Summer.

Minister for Education Kirsty Williams will be writing to schools this week to highlight how valuable this extra time is and how it must be used effectively.

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