Education news
17 October
Curriculum & qualifications
Cambridge to make all IGCSE English literature exams open book
Students already had the possibility of consulting drama texts in the exam but, in future, all Cambridge IGCSE literature in English papers will be open book, including prose.
Government sets 90% phonics check target
A mandatory reading test for Year 8 students will also be introduced by the end of this Parliament, Bridget Phillipson confirms.
‘I dream the curriculum every night’: leading education’s toughest brief
After 14 months heading the government’s curriculum review, Becky Francis reflects on control, compromise – and finding the right balance between ‘firebrand’ and ‘technocrat’.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/i-dream-the-curriculum-every-night-leading-educations-toughest-brief/
Becky Francis: 5 reflections on the curriculum and assessment review
With the curriculum and assessment review due to publish its recommendations ‘very soon’, chair Becky Francis writes exclusively for Tes about what she has learned through the process.
Teacher retention and recruitment
Trust offers degree pathway to create ‘children’s workforce’
Reach Foundation to launch unit to provide ‘structural solutions’ to workforce recruitment and retention issues.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/trust-offers-degree-pathway-to-create-childrens-workforce/
Teaching apprenticeships: positive steps but more work required
NASBTT chief executive Emma Hollis urges the government to rethink elements of the teacher degree apprenticeship and postgraduate teaching apprenticeship, including pay scales.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/secondary/teaching-apprenticeships-what-needs-to-change
Plaid Cymru to offer trainee teachers up to £30,000 to study and work in Wales
Plaid Cymru has announced a new strategy to tackle what it calls a “crisis” in Wales’s education system, and has promised to offer trainee teachers up to £30,000 to study and work in the country.
Inclusion
Clustering around a SEND solution
As government considers a new funding model, we explore its potential benefits and risks.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/could-a-locality-clusters-funding-model-help-fix-send/
Outdated Ofsted rule ‘inadequate’ for looked-after children
‘Crucial’ government guidance still refers to headline grades, despite them being scrapped over a year ago.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/outdated-ofsted-rule-inadequate-for-looked-after-children/
Some parents of special school pupils in England spending £5,000 on EHCPs
Sutton Trust’s research reveals huge inequalities in how parents navigate Send system, with poorer children ‘doubly disadvantaged’.
SEND: Pupils ‘have greater sense of belonging’ in special schools
Sutton Trust research reveals the challenges that the government is facing in its drive to make mainstream schools more inclusive.
Number of Send pupils being home schooled has doubled since pandemic
The number of children with special educational needs taken out of formal schooling has more than doubled since the pandemic, according to an investigation by ITV News Political Reporter Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe.
Equalities
3 in 4 teachers warn misogyny is a big problem in schools
Headteachers’ leaders call for more support and guidance to tackle misogyny in schools as new research suggests it is a growing issue.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/teachers-warn-about-misogyny-in-schools
Phillipson: Disengaged boys vulnerable to ‘dark forces whispering poison’ online
Speaking at a conference, the Education Secretary warned some children disengaged from school feel ‘not supported but betrayed’.
Disadvantage
Rising poverty could see fewer children being able to play outdoors
A lack of access to outdoor clothing due to poverty could see fewer children being able to play outdoors.
Most pupils in poverty missing out on free school meals
Free school meals eligibility is ‘no longer fit for purpose’ as a measure of pupil deprivation, EPI report warns.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/most-pupils-poverty-missing-out-free-school-meals
Tech
Pupils fear AI is eroding their ability to study, research finds
One in four students say AI ‘makes it too easy’ for them to find answers.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/oct/15/pupils-fear-ai-eroding-study-ability-research
DfE to encourage AI tutors in schools
But England’s largest education union warns against ‘tutoring on a shoestring’ and says many disadvantaged students need direct contact with teachers
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/dfe-encourage-ai-tutors-schools
Ofsted
New Ofsted inspections: 5 insights from our school’s test visit
A head who had a two-day pilot inspection under Ofsted’s new framework shares what he learned – and why it was a positive experience.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/what-new-ofsted-inspections-are-like-for-schools
Ofsted reforms ‘the most sensible’ way forward, Oliver tells MPs
Chief inspector also praises watchdog’s ‘more human’ complaints process but admits to ‘concern’ over union tension.
https://feweek.co.uk/ofsted-reforms-the-most-sensible-way-forward-oliver-tells-mps/
Ofsted inspections of MATs should be ungraded, says CST
Confederation of School Trusts (CST) gives its feedback on plans for academy trust inspections.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-inspections-of-mats-should-be-ungraded-says-cst/
Funding
Most MATs expect an in-year deficit this year
Analysis of multi-academy trust finances warns of a ‘sharp deterioration’ since last year and ‘growing pressures’.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/most-mats-expect-year-deficit-year-funding
More standalone schools on the brink as deficits grow
Seventy-five trusts – one with a deficit of almost £6 million – raised concerns about their ability to continue operating in 2023-24.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/academy-schools-in-groups-plan-explored-as-sats-deficits-mount/
White Paper
White paper plan for schools to be part of a ‘group’
Officials working on plan to encourage all schools to join a group, sources told Schools Week.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/white-paper-plan-for-schools-to-be-part-of-a-group/
Parents
Majority of parents ‘DON’T think children need to be potty trained before starting school’, poll reveals
Six in ten parents have admitted they don’t think their children need to be potty-trained before starting school, a damning poll has revealed.
Covid Inquiry
Williamson texted PM he was ‘f****d over’ by Covid decisions
Covid inquiry sees expletive-riddled text sent by Gavin Williamson to Boris Johnson over school closures and catch-up tsar’s appointment.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/williamson-texted-pm-he-was-fd-over-by-covid-decisions/
DfE was ‘confident’ over Covid testing plan to keep schools open – rather than closures
DfE permanent secretary tells the Covid Inquiry mass testing would have been ‘executed really well’ in January 2021 – but No 10 instead closed schools again.
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